Mastering the art of debate
SIXTH Form debaters mastered the art of the argument when they qualified for the second round of the EnglishSpeaking Union’s National Debating Championships.
Students from The King’s School in Macclesfield took on the best of Manchester and Cheshire schools and the team was one of only three to qualify for the second round, from which the best will go on to the regional finals, before a final, national showdown in London.
The controversial topic chosen for the debate was ‘the sale and consumption of meat should be banned’, and King’s debaters Josh Clayfield and Ciara Allen were chosen to propose the motion.
The King’s School Debating Society chair Josh, who wants to read law at university, put the motion forward and Ciara, who aims to read English literature and French, was his seconder.
Josh said: “I don’t agree with the motion. I feel the government should not impinge that far on individual liberties, but defending the indefensible is part of the art of debate and what I might personally believe is irrelevant.
“We chose a threepronged attack – on environmental issues, health risks and ethical issues.”
Ciara added: “We felt the environmental concerns regarding global warming were the most powerful, so Josh argued that case up front, while I concentrated on health risks to humans and the inhumane slaughter of animals in appalling conditions.
“Having argued the case, I have to say I don’t particularly enjoy eating meat now and avoid it whenever possible.”
The King’s School has run a debating society since the inter-war years and it is as popular as ever, with around 25 members meeting every Friday lunchtime to discuss topics of the day, such as whether a Jaffa Cake is a cake or a biscuit.
The King’s School head of English, Richard Kellett, who organised the competition entry, but says he leaves the running of the debating society ‘very much to the students themselves’, added: “Public speaking is widely cited as the nation’s number one fear, but it is very important if you want to make an impression.
“Debate is not about what you believe, but how you present your case – the art of putting together a logical argument in a coherent manner and working out how to pick apart the opposition’s argument.”