VERBATTLE: Youth Engages the Future

Alfred C. Snider
Who passed away in 2015 was - Edwin W. Lawrence Professor of Forensics
Director, Lawrence Debate Union
Director, World Debate Institute,
University of Vermont

This article was written in August 2013

It has been a pleasure to watch the growth of Verbattle and the way it has exploded onto the world debating scene. The number of participants in Verbattle places it among the top communication competitions in the world. In many parts of the world, existing debate formats from Europe and America have been adopted or adapted slightly. However, Verbattle is a unique form of debate, discussion, and declaration like no other, which is why I believe it is so popular among the youth of India.

We are educating our youth in academic subjects, but rarely in democratic communication processes for expressing their ideas. The problem may well be that these youth have the ideas and the potential but may not utilize them fully because they have not found their voice.

There are a number of forces that discourage young people from speaking out and taking a full role in our increasingly global participatory democracy.

1. - First, traditional upbringing may teach them to be “seen but not heard,” instructing them to wait until it is their generation’s turn to speak. Many women I worked with in Iraq loved debating because it was the first time they had been able to speak for longer than a minute without being interrupted by a family elder.
2. - Second, our media culture encourages passivity—to watch the program, to buy the products and services, and not to get immediately involved.
3. - Third, our consumerist culture tells young people they will be judged based on the “things” they acquire, not on the differences their ideas can make.
4. - Fourth, much of our educational system still focuses on lectures, memorization, and standardized testing rather than the acquisition of active skills for critical intellectual engagement.

One of the most powerful factors that can help young people find their voice and make a difference in the future is Verbattle. Students train and compete by discussing topics that are important to them in front of audiences who are astounded by their abilities and insights. The result is that students realize they can express themselves in meaningful ways, that people of influence are willing to listen, and that they can make a difference. Another valuable aspect of the program is that it allows students to experience the fundamental human joy of expression and the sharing of ideas.

What Makes Verbattle Unique?

There are several facets of the Verbattle format that highlight its special value as a form of debate, discussion, and declamation among young people. As someone who has been involved in educational debating for over forty years, I have identified a number of features that impress me:

• Students engage in extensive preparation. Before even reaching the competition, they go through the logical processes of considering multiple sides of an issue, which is invaluable.
• Brevity with clarity. Students must present complex ideas clearly in just one minute. This forces them to select their strongest argument and deliver it persuasively to the audience and judges.
• Real-life language arguments. Verbattle avoids excessive academic jargon. Speakers must communicate in a way that is understandable in everyday conversations.
• Cross-pressure questioning. Students prepare their arguments but also face challenging questions from the audience. This helps develop well-rounded communicators who can think on their feet.
• Counter-attitudinal advocacy. Students must prepare for both sides of an argument, even if it conflicts with their personal beliefs. This fosters open-mindedness, understanding, and tolerance.
• Logical reasoning blended with emotion. Unlike some debate formats that focus only on cold logic, Verbattle encourages the effective use of both logic and emotion, making the arguments more compelling.
• The sheer joy of engagement. Despite the intensity of competition, students clearly enjoy themselves. Their expressions reflect excitement, curiosity, and intellectual engagement. Even watching a Verbattle video with the sound off brings a smile to my face.

The Academic Impact of Debate Participation

Most of us working in this field believe that participation in events like Verbattle has a profoundly positive academic impact on students. However, anecdotal evidence—"isn’t it great?"—is not enough to combat the forces of silence. There must be empirical evidence, and now there is.

A comprehensive meta-analysis conducted by Akerman and Neale for the English-Speaking Union (2011) examined the impact of debate and critical communication on young people. Reviewing over 800 studies, they found that debate participation leads to:

• Improved academic achievement
• Increased engagement with issues
• Enhanced critical thinking skills
• Development of advanced communication abilities
• Higher aspirations for education
• Increased self-confidence
• Greater cultural awareness

Similarly, Mezuk (2009) analyzed data from Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Debate League (1997–2006) and found that:

• More than three-quarters of debaters graduate, compared to barely half of non-debaters.
• African American male debaters were 70% more likely to graduate and three times less likely to drop out than their peers.

The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL, 2010) also found that participation in debate improves reading test scores, reduces high-risk behaviors, and enhances student attitudes toward higher education.

In Minnesota (2005), a study revealed that:

• Debaters averaged 15% higher self-esteem than their peers. The longer they debated, the greater the increase in self-esteem.
• 100% of students in the Minneapolis Urban Debate League were unlikely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use, early pregnancy, or alcohol consumption.

A 2010 study in Hong Kong by Sam Greenland further challenged stereotypes about debating:

• Male and female students benefited equally from debate training.
• Students with lower academic performance improved just as much as high-achieving students, proving that debate is not just for the "gifted" but can help all students.

Debate as a Pathway to Success

Countless professionals attribute their success to participation in debate activities like Verbattle. Whether in business, law, public service, or other fields, debating has played a transformative role. It should come as no surprise that 64% of the members of the United States Congress were debaters.

Final Thoughts

Verbattle understands that democracy is not just a form of government; it is also a state of mind.

In democracies, we get the governments we deserve. If voters are passive, accepting, and lack critical thinking abilities, society will continue to stagnate. However, by fostering a new generation of articulate, analytical, and engaged citizens, Verbattle is helping shape the future of India—and beyond.

My congratulations to Verbattle for taking up this challenge and helping young people develop a better future. I look forward to seeing its continued expansion and success worldwide.