Why should you join us?

THE SERIOUS EXPLANATION

Do you want to completely lose your fear of public speaking?
LEARN THE POWER OF PERSUASION
Do you want to be understood? Do you know how to consciously use elegant vocabulary, a germane structure, and logical argumentation towards your advantage?
Do you want to develop the rhetorical skills of a lawyer before going to law school?
Can you analyze any argument in seconds and develop a counter-argumentation at the same time?

The most important skill required in the world is the ability to express yourself concisely, eloquently and if asked, spontaneously. How and where can you learn it? In a speech class? We believe that the fluency and eloquence as demonstrated by top speakers cannot be learned in a class room. It has to be developed over a longer period of time offering you the opportunity to give prepared, and spontaneous speeches several times a week, and the opportunity for competent feedback.

This is why the Carnegie Debate Society offers you more than you have ever dreamed of.

The CDS seeks to improve the analytical and rhetorical skills of its members. This shall be accomplished through intensive communication workshops, presentations by distinguished speakers and most importantly, through parliamentary debate.

Learn to express yourself effectively and discover the power of persuasion. Improve and polish your delivery style and enhance your analytical skills. New York City, Washington DC, Providence, the wilderness of Massachusetts, Maine, Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago are the interesting places where colleges and universities such as Columbia University, Princeton University, Bates College, Amherst College, Harvard University, UPenn, and UChicago host APDA (American Parliamentary Debate Association) tournaments. Be prepared to travel throughout the country and stay overnight at various locations to compete at APDA sanctioned debate tournaments. Wherever you find debate and public speaking tournaments, you are very likely to find a Carnegie debater. If you want to see the East coast, the Carnegie Debate Society is your best bet. (Unless you really want to stay in cosmopolitan Pittsburgh).

THE FUNNY EXPLANATION

Can you persuade an Eskimo into buying a refrigerator?

Do you want to become the President of the United States?

Do you want to party at other colleges every weekend?

Do you want to convince Accounting to pay tuition fees to you?

Do you like to dissect little insects?

Do you want to become a salesperson?

Do you need a goat?

Do you want to manipulate your friends, so they do what you want them to do?

Do you want a bigger brain?

(Cows have bigger brains too!)

Do you want to convince your professor that you really don’t need to do your homework?

Can you argue intelligently against anyone about anything?

Can you outwit a refrigerator?

Do you want to have full and shiny hair?

We promise: a lot of fun, New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, endless basketball games, movie nights, a lot of sophisticated, complicated and eloquent speakers and the most valuable extra-curricular experience in your college life.

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