How to Win a Debate, According to a 16-Year-Old Expert

Summary

In a dynamic interview, 16-year-old Rose Deli, an accomplished debater, shares insights on the importance of confidence, well-researched arguments, and proper debate etiquette. She emphasizes the need for leaders to verify their sources and engage respectfully with opponents. Drawing parallels to contemporary issues, Rose highlights her involvement in a play, 'What the Constitution Means to Me,' which explores themes like racism and immigration. With aspirations of becoming a lawyer or actress, she passionately advocates for debate as a tool for youth empowerment, showcasing her skills on stage and her experience judging online tournaments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rose Deli is a 16-year-old exceptional debater from New York City, honing her skills since sixth grade.
• 🗣️ A good debater must be enthusiastic, stubborn, and confident while believing in their arguments.
• 📚 It's crucial to have reliable sources to support arguments, ensuring credibility in debates.
• 🤝 Proper debate etiquette involves allowing opponents to speak without interruptions.
• 🎭 Rose's debating talent extends to Broadway, where she performed in 'What the Constitution Means to Me.'
• 🌍 The play addresses relevant societal issues such as climate change, racism, and immigration.
• 📏 Rose outlines a three-point structure for building arguments: Claim, Warrant, and Impact.
• 🐱 An example argument format: Claim (cats are more playful), Warrant (they exhibit playful behavior), Impact (affects our relationships).
• ⚖️ Rose's aspirations include becoming a lawyer or actress, inspired by her meeting with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
• 👩‍🏫 Rose actively teaches debating skills and recently judged an online tournament to inspire young debaters.

Q & A

What notable quote does Rose Deli reference in her debate?

Rose Deli quotes Thomas Jefferson, highlighting the irony of debating ideas from a figure who is no longer alive.

What qualities does Rose Deli believe make a good debater?

She emphasizes the importance of being enthusiastic, stubborn, confident, and secure in one's arguments.

What advice does Rose Deli give to leaders regarding debates?

She advises leaders to always have their sources in check and to let their opponents speak during debates.

How does Rose Deli relate her debate experiences to her involvement in theater?

Rose has performed on stage in a play titled 'What the Constitution Means to Me,' where she debates issues like climate change, connecting her debating skills to her theatrical performances.

What format does Rose Deli suggest for constructing a good argument?

She describes the claim-warrant-impact structure, where the claim presents the main idea, the warrant provides supporting evidence, and the impact explains the significance of the argument.

What societal issues does the play 'What the Constitution Means to Me' address?

The play discusses prevalent issues such as racism and immigration, linking them to current political contexts and presidential elections.

What are Rose Deli's aspirations for the future?

She dreams of becoming a lawyer or an actress, indicating her passion for both debating and performing.

How has Rose Deli contributed to the debate community aside from participating as a debater?

She has taken on a judging role in a debate tournament, teaching and mentoring other kids on how to debate.

Who did Rose Deli sit down with to discuss her views on debate?

She sat down with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, discussing the value of debate in building confidence in young people.

Why does Rose Deli think debate is important for young people?

She believes that debate helps build confidence and teaches young people how to articulate their thoughts on important issues.