--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Widtsoe, John A. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 13 number: 11 published: 1910-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Widtsoe, John A., “About Debating,” *Improvement Era* 13, no. 11 (September 1910): 999–1003." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera13011unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera13011unse start_page: 999 end_page: 1003 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1910-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera13011unse publication_year: 1910 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1910, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # About Debating About Debating. BY DR. JOHN A. WIDTSOE, PRESIDENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, LOGAN, UTAH. My dear brethren and sister 's, fellow workers: — When the work of the Mutual Improvement Associations was in a measure reshaped last year, to conform to the new priesthood movement, the sug- gestion was made that debating be one of the incidental features of our work. No special emphasis was placed upon this feature of our work, but, neverthless, a large number of associations undertook to carry on debating, and, as far as we can learn, with considerable success. Recently the Young Ladies' Mutual Improve- ment Associations have also decided that debating may well be a part of their incidental work. The prospect is, therefore, that next year considerable debating will be done by the associations. It is, consequently, quite necessary that the officers familiarize themselves with the proper methods of conducting debates, so the greatest possible good from debating may be obtained by our boys and girls. There has been a great deal of well-founded prejudice against debating in our Church, and in other communities, for that mat- ter. Many individuals and communities have been seriously injured by interminable wrangling over immaterial questions. Frequently questions of theology have been taken up and discussed pro and con, in an unsystematic manner, to the detriment of all who took part in the discussion. Occasionally subjects that can be settled only by revelation, through those who have the author- ity, have been used as subjects for debate, and, naturally, with * Delivered at the M. I. A. annual conference, June 5, 1910. 1000 IMPROVEMENT ERA. evil results. We want to make clear that wrangling and debat- ing are not in any sense related. Modern debate is a systematic, intellectual exercise, which results in mental development. The old-fashioned wrangling that, 1 suppose, we have all indulged in more or less, has very little good effect upon the mind. The most important thing in organizing the work in debating is to make sure that the right kind of a subject is chosen. There are some subjects that should not be debated. For instance, all theological subjects should be omitted from our list of possible questions for debates. Even the interpretation of a Biblical pas- sage should be absolutely forbidden in our debating. Subjects which are not debatable, because they are remote in character, in time or place, should not be debated. Historical subjects, such as the comparing of great historical personages are also of doubtful value for debates, and would better not be used. The subjects that we want to debate in our associations are those that are of a living interest to the young people, and which, as far as possible, bring the young people in touch with the present day advance- ment of the world, whether it be on the educational, political or social side. The debate, to be of real value, should be educa- tional; it must be developing in its effect upon the young people — upon the debaters and the listeners. I have been instructed to say that the associations should choose their subjects from the published list that will appear in the Era and in the Young Woman s Journal. If other subjects are desired, they should be sent in to the committee in charge, for approval, before they are actually used by the associations. Great care should also be taken in tne choice of debaters. Occasionally we have young men and women who are a trifle quarrelsomp,who would like to enter into a debate simply for the fun of debating, but who are not seriously desirous of preparing themselves for the debate. Such young peo- ple should not be allowed to enter the debate unless they are forti- fied by the association of more serious-minded young people. It may be said also, as a word of warning, that a young man or woman should not be asked to take part in a debate, when he or she has formed decided convictions on that subject. Do not ask one of our young people to argue against his well-established con- victions; it will not result in good. The intellectual exercise may ABOUT DEBATING. 1001 be obtained, but the moral effect is not good. There are so many subjects, neutral in their nature, that may be used without detri- ment to the young people, that the danger of having someone argue against his convictions can easily be avoided. The real value of a debate lies not in the public performance, but in the preparation for the debate. This should be made clear to all those who take part in debates. The first step in the preparation is the collection of material. An effort should be made to obtain an abundance of material which may be used in constructing an argument. Now, the associa- tions have found more or less difficulty in securing material this year. The finding of suitable material and facts bearing on the question will nearly always be the most difficult problem before those who undertake debates. We may keep in mind that the public schools, the colleges and universities— Church and state — will be glad to let the associations have the use of the books in their collections for this purpose. The educational institutions are not confined in their efforts to the buildings in which they labor, but are desirous of assisting all educational movements throughout the state. There is also a movement on foot, which I think will supply the associations with all necessary material; but this plan has not been fully perfected. The plan itself will be published very soon in the Era and the Young Woman's Journal. Please look for it. After the material has been collected, the argument must be constructed, and herein lies, also, one of the chief values of debating. The habit of organizing diverse and scattered material into a logical and systematic whole is of great value to all in the daily affairs of our lives, and especially in the missionary work that nearly all of us have to do, whether at home or abroad. The arguments should be constructed according to well defined rules. No man should be a law unto himself. There is a science of argu- mentation; and I suggest that the officers see to it that their debaters have access to a few books showing how a debate should be constructed. I recommend, as one of the most suitable man- uals, Alden's The Art of Debate, a small book that will cost about seventy -five cents. The debate itself, that is, the public performance, which is 1002 IMPROVEMENT ERA. the last step in the debate, and, perhaps, the least important for our purposes, should be governed according to the established methods of procedure. Robert's Rules of Order and other similar books should be used in guiding the debate itself. A chairman should be appointed, a definite time allotted to the speakers, and a regular order insisted upon. In fact, the whole thing should be orderly, and if an orderly procedure is adhered to, there will be little disturbance of the kind reported by our brethren and sisters in some public debates. I may say, also, that the judges, in most cases, should be asked to hand in their verdict by ballot. If the three judges get together to consult, the probability is that they will take nearly as long a time in making up their minds as the debate itself consumes. When the debate is over and the evening is closed, there should be no further discussion of it; it should not be a topic of conversation at the fireside or on the street-corner, because it is likely to do damage if carried into the daily lives of the people. The debate, generally, should be serious. Occasionally, how- ever, a light subject may be treated — a subject that will create a good-natured merriment; for instance: "Should Women Propose? ' (Laughter). Such a subject is a bit of nonsense, yet it might result in good. Other subjects of the kind might be found for occasional debates. It may be suggested that two debates during the year are probably sufficient for any one organization. Debating should not be held on Sunday. If the associations meet regularly on Sun- day, some week-day or evening when dancing or some other form of amusement is usually engaged in, might be taken for the debate. It is well to notify the public — the fathers and mothers — and try to get all to come out. It is fascinating to all to witness the clash of wits. Debates should be opened and closed with prayer; and sing- ing should be had, as in any other meetings. The whole perform- ance should invite the good spirit of God, and be in harmony with the spirit of this Church. The young ladies have set aside a time, and have been willing to join with the young men, once a month, in a conjoint meeting 'for the purpose of debating or telling stories, or in contests of ABOUT DEBATING. 1003 various kinds; and in this new debating work, the sisters should participate. It would be well, in most cases, to divide the sides, so that each side has a man and a woman on it, and not pit the men against the women, unless you have some subject that is bet- ter handled in that way. Men should not undertake to go it alone in the matter of debating. The presence of the sisters on our debat- ing teams will help in the orderly presentation of the debate. Now, in conclusion: the work is new; it should be undertaken with caution and care. If any dangerous results appear to follow, the work might well be stopped in a community for a time, for we want the right kind of debates. However, let us give debating a fair trial. Debating is a splendid intellectual exercise. It always means intellectual development. The great books of the world are all arguments — in a way. The works of Orson Pratt, B. H. Roberts, and all the great writings of our Church, are only arguments built upon the established principles of argumentation. We need not be afraid of debating, if we carry it on properly ; and I hope it will be conducted in that way. I pray that in this work we may be successful, in the name of Jesus. Amen. Work. (For the Improvement Era.) By the sweat of thy brow shall thy bread be earned, A curse that into a blessing turned Ere it was spoken by lips Divine, A gift supernal, a gift sublime! The bread that is earned by labor is sweet ; 'Tis they with nothing to do whose feet Are ever wending the downward way, Who quarrel wiih fate each hour, each day. Then work, just work, 'tis a glorious thing To work and smile, to smile and sing, And thank the One whose will is best, For work, the blessing which bringeth rest. Grace Ingles Frost. Waterloo, Utah.