Debate Or Die

How did it come about?

Fancy this on your hoodie?

Here at City University, it has taken a few enthusiastic like-minded people who genuinely care about extra-curricular activities to use our own initiative and put together our very own debate union. Other than mooting, a law student really wonders what alternatives there are to enhance crucial advocacy skills, and have a really good laugh at the same time.

In our first year as an official society, we have competed in some of the most prestigious debating competitions, to name a few; John Smith Mace Memorial, Oxford Women’s, the London Open. The format in which we are conducting our sessions is British Parliamentary style – For those of you unfamiliar with this style, please refer to Prime Minister's Questions every Wednesday at noon.

Where are we going?

This is only the Union’s first year, and it seems very plausible to envisage an even bigger image and status for the Union in years to come. The primary aim is for students to learn to express oneself through the use of rhetoric, and logically structured arguments, helping one to grow in confidence which is an essential tool to have in your armoury when applying for graduate jobs. In essence it has been created by students, for students, to enable us to fulfil the potential here at City University.

As it grows in size, we aim to build a stable Union which is both recognised and respected by some other top universities in Britain. This goal will be achieved by going to even more debate competitions across England and Wales, to gain that valuable empirical knowledge that one acquires. Writing from experience, these universities host very successful debates, which 99% of the time, includes social nights and cheap booze!

Why do it, and what's involved?

Preparing for the debate

Debating in action

The Union has very big ambitions, and we actually plan to reach out to not only law students, but to as many faculties as possible, to learn from one another, make new friends, and have a good time. This is complemented by weekly debate training sessions, where we have been lucky enough to have both Tom Walker and Rachel Savage – who both have a wealth of debating experience, to help us with feedback and also to the direct the future of our infant union.

You are all strongly encouraged to get involved with the City University Debating Union (CUDU), because it is without doubt that we are a respected institution, but perhaps an area where we are lacking is student activity in extra-curricular activities that some of our rivals traditionally have.

Listen very carefully...

It is with this that I hope I have encouraged you to perhaps take note that we students at City should be proud to represent this institution; so if you like meeting new people, learning wonderful new facts, socializing and touring around England, sign up and become involved with our project, that will truly someday stand in competition with the best universities in the country.

Top tips

Some of the hot top tips and pointers to those of you new to University debating; the following are some of the very basics:

• You have precious little time to prepare for a debate, so make sure that the strongest of your arguments are used early on in the debate, these should be the main focus of the arguments.
• Speak with confidence! This one sounds dumbfounded, but judges sometimes analyse how you execute your speech.
• Be conscious of your speaker role within the debate, and what is expected from you. For example, the onus is on the first speaker to outline and define their teams case before moving onto their arguments
• The layout of a debate is set almost like a zigzag; so, the second speaker rebuts the first speaker’s speech and reaffirms his team line, which continues throughout all of the speeches.
• All teams in a debate have to persuade. All speakers, barring the summary speakers, are expected to deliver new arguments in support of their team case.

How can I find out more?

Get in touch with the organisers of the CUDU - Zinar or Josh. The English Speaking Union (ESU) offers a great deal of information about the John Smith Memorial Mace, including the competition handbook and debating calendar. London is the place to be for watching lots of debates as well as participating in them - Intelligence Squareddescribes itself as the global forum for live debate and offers reduced price tickets for debates for students. Central London Debating Society offers you the chance to refine your skills online and at different locations in London.