T2B17

We just came back from a full day of debate.

I'M SO TIRED

We had 3 rounds today, in World Schools Style, and that's so... different than what I'm used to, it's weird. I think I'd do well in one part of one debate, and it would never just "come together" perfectly, it'd be in bits and pieces of perfection. *sighs* I think my debating skills overall improved, just not my World's Style. Because I'm still learning, and trust me... I have a loooong way to go. (which was just a nice way of saying I'm terrible.) I think we did okay, I think I personally did better (comparatively) here than the Regional debate, but then again, there were a lot less people/teams. I think the most important thing is to learn, though. We ended up debating with Tara, Frank, and Charlie because they were Norway (like we each got a country team name) and the last 3 rounds were bracketed which meant we could potentially end up debating one of our own teams. Mr. Hauck watched that last round so he could give us feedback (like all of us at the same time) and from that, we need to really do more signposting. Also, we got a lot of feedback from each of the individual judges, which was really helpful. I think that I learn more from tournaments than anything else, even though I always do so badly on them. :( But debate is something I really want to put a lot of effort into and learn well, especially with things like constructing solid arguments, dealing with POI's, and also structure. I think I'm a better speaker than before, but taking notes and using flowcharts is something that's reeeeeally important, because I'll do these things (actually everyone does :P) where I get up there, and I work up this really important and strong argument and then I'll just have to take a breath and pause--and then all of a sudden I lose what I was talking about. My sheets are messy, I can't read it from the table from where I'm standing, and I face this awkward situation where I'm either searching for the point or just thinking and staring blankly while trying to remember that brilliant argument I had.

The above is what Mr. Hauck would call "verbal diarrhoea" (thanks, autocorrect :P) because it's poorly organized and I bounced around a lot. That's also what he told us to correct. :P

Anyway... I think that I'm a more confident speaker than before. I'm trying to sound more passionate and really get into the heart of the debate, rather than just saying the points I have to say. I really like debate, and I think it's really useful. The other day, the science textbook had like an "Explore an Issue" lesson or something like that, and they had a mini chart of arguments, and they were like, "Expand", and I (almost instinctively) started analyzing it, going, Okay, this is why this is important, it's a moral point, how can we refute this... It was kind of funny, actually, and I "caught" myself doing that for a lot of arguments. I think debate helps me to be more analytical and really get into why an argument is effective and important, which also helps with critical thinking. It also makes me a more effective public speaker. I've seriously gotten so much practice public speaking (debate also adding an extra effect/layer of public speaking) that I'm pretty much no longer nervous at all about public speaking. Talking to a group is... well, to me, no different than talking to a friend, because I've gotten so much practice with it. Here's also a really good instance of where "practice makes perfect".

OHH--the other day in Leadership, we had to prepare 1 minute speeches and I had this reeeeeally good ending, but we skipped a week so I totally forgot the ending. And then afterwards I was flipping through my notes (on my phone) and then I realized THAT I'D FORGOTTEN THE ENDING that I'd literally built my whole speech on. (Literally. The ending was: "But in the end, there's no magic pill but the one called practice. Take every day for best results." I did a speech about public speaking (because it sounds cool :P) just so I could use the "practice" ending! And when I realized I'd forgotten, I was just like :OOOOOOOO.)

ANYway... I'm really tired now and yet I STILL HAVE SO MUCH HOMEWORK >.< Right now, I seriously can't wait for this time in 2 weeks... when I'll be blissfully ignorant and free... there's a reason they say "ignorance is bliss", you know. But I'll still work hard, because the mere thought of being free for 2 weeks is enough to make me work hard. ;P