<p>In my APUSH class we have debates on certain subjects, such as the effects of important presidencies over time. I’m not a big talker. I’m more of the reserved quiet type. And although I do listen to some current events, I’m not that big on politics. Many of the other students in my class are very well versed on what they say, and I would like to be on their level. So, how can I become an avid Debater in class?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>read more about them so that you can match their knowledge, develop your own firm opinion, and don’t be shy about getting your voice heard in class. thats all</p>
<p>Hmmm I’m having the same problem in my current events class. It’s mainly participation-based and I haven’t really said anything all year. I do pay attention to the news and politics, but I never know what to say. I’m also more of a quiet person, at least in school.</p>
<p>I’m not the only person who doesn’t say anything, but there certainly is a group of smart, well versed people and I would like to be more like them.</p>
<p>I’m not looking to debate with anyone, but I would like to have something to say once in a while.</p>
<p>^^Besides reading about them, the most important thing is to FORM YOUR OWN OPINION. </p>
<p>Don’t blindly follow a politician - make your own, educated choices on current world issues.</p>
<p>Form an inferiority complex and make your self worth based on whether you can make other people agree with you.</p>
<p>Grisam, I pm’ed you</p>
<p>I am a sophomore, got bumped to varsity debate team, and without doubt have the biggest mouth and arrogant student, (I liked to call it opinionated), and like the previous commenters said, formulate your own opinions, and almost equally important, get comfortable speaking out, both the skills of public speaking and responding when an entire class starts yelling at you for taking a non conformed idea of how things should work.</p>
<p>Never take any idea for granted, and always bring out fresh air to a certain pre-assumed view, for example gay marriage, women working with jobs, letting women fight in military etc…</p>
<p>that’s of course the heart of liberalism, and they tend to most debate and challenge conformed ideas, and make the greatest debaters for this reason.</p>
<p>Read, watch election coverage, learn history, examine social/political/economic theories (socialism, communism, capitalism, anarchism, liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, etc) without believing “common knowledge” about these things, and start discussing things. If you need to overcome an inability to adequately voice your views, practice by having conversations with others. You don’t have to be the most eloquent or passionate or fiery speaker to sound intelligent and informed.</p>
<p>^^^ I didn’t get a PM…</p>
<p>/inside joke</p>
<p>Get a copy of this book: [The</a> rhetoric of rhetoric: the quest for effective communication](<a href=“The Rhetoric of RHETORIC: The Quest for Effective Communication - Wayne C. Booth - Google Books”>The Rhetoric of RHETORIC: The Quest for Effective Communication - Wayne C. Booth - Google Books)</p>
<p>^^I totally saw that coming.</p>