DEBATE WAS A GAME CHANGER

The First Debate Competition which I participated and won in grade fifth

I love to speak and socialize with people and debate on various topics. However, this was not the case for me years ago. I remember being a shy and awkward kid who had a lot to say but couldn’t due to the shy nature. My teachers loved me for being a good, obedient student but they would always encourage me to be more open. For some reason, this was indeed the most difficult job for me even more than studying for examinations for a long time.

Nonetheless, the situation completely changed for me when I entered fifth grade and my teachers encouraged me to participate in a debate competition where I didn’t have a say. I was mad with my teacher at that time but I cannot thank them enough now. I was really scared, nervous and didn’t know what should I speak on the actual day of debate. I remember that the topic of the debate was ‘Is Technology boon or curse’? Well, I would only know the side that I have to debate on on the actual day so, I prepared arguments for both the sides. Finally on the day of debate, I was looking at my sheet of paper where I had briefly jotted down my arguments. When my name was announced, I was super nervous to get on the stage after seeing the crowd but I had no choice but to speak my heart out. So, I went there and gave everything that I had while arguing how technology is actually useful for us.

Later on, I was announced as the winner of the junior debate category. I never expected to win the competition in the first place, so winning it was a surreal experience for me. Rather than being happy about winning the competition, I was more happy about the confidence that I showed. After that, I attended each and every debate competition moving forward in life. Debates boosted the confidence in me and made me a confident guy. During my high school, I got the opportunity to participate in a parliamentary style debate competition which was interesting and more challenging than normal debate. Debate also enhanced my research skills and I learned to form my own opinions on different matters and raise my voice on necessary topics.