LASU DEBATE SOCIETY

I remember the first time I was chosen to represent my level in a Debate Competition. It was the first opportunity I saw to develop my public speaking skills, so, I didn't want to mess it up. I had prepared hard, internalized, and already practised my gesticulation the night before. I had already envisioned myself giving a great presentation. On D-day, after I was told to start, just 30 seconds into my presentation, everything was ruined with sweaty palms and trembling hands. My dream has turned into a nightmare. It was quite obvious that the sweat in my body was waiting for me to mount the stage before it started seeping. For me, it was sweaty palms and trembling hands; for some, it might be a racing pulse; for you, it might be a dry mouth and a tight throat. The good news is that "you are not alone." There are explanations and hypotheses on the causes of those symptoms of stage fright. Part of the explanation is that those symptoms are inborn. People who are born introv...

My roommate said that she has never indulged in a debate before. Well, I countered by saying it is impossible. She further proved her point by showing me pictures of her representing her secondary school in other competitions like quizzes and spelling bees, but never a debate. She even went as far as making me speak with her friend whom they've progressed together from primary school to Lagos State University, yet I held my stance that it is impossible for her to have never indulged in a debate. The argument got heated and lasted till the night...Well, I am sure you know what is going on here, right? I am laughing out loud because my roommate is claiming to have not participated in a debate before yet she is debating with me informally.  Therefore, you can agree with me that everyone has indulged in a debate before, but it is mostly done informally and naturally that it is not considered a debate. As long as you argue about the best tenure of a government so far, the colour that sh...