When I first started high school, I was awful at speaking and writing essays. It took me hours just to write a 500-word essay, and I always said the word "like" about 100 times in every sentence. So when it came to my sophomore year, I was picking my electives and decided to take speech and debate because it was highly recommended. Little did I know that the class would have such an impact on my life today.

Speech and Debate has a lot to do with writing and learning how to talk. We had to write a case every month and debate about the case. While writing your case, you had to use credible websites to back up your argument on whatever the topic was. You also couldn't say the work "like" or "um" while debating. I had the worst time trying not to say the word "like", and after three years of taking the class, I still have some trouble, but not as much as I used to.

Writing a case for debate takes a lot of hours of your day because you have to research your topic, find credible websites, and make sure you have enough points to argue about. When it came to writing essays in English class, I became so good because of having to write a case for debate every month. I already knew how to find good, credible websites and how to write in a way that can get you a good grade! I now can write 500-word essay under an hour and make a good grade on it.

While taking speech and debate, you have to debate against people over the topic you are given. You have to debate in a way that doesn't come off as being rude or mean, but in a way that gets your point across respectfully. This has taught me so much in my personal life. Instead of coming off rude or mean, I can argue with people while still being respectful of their own opinion about the subject. I would not be like this if it wasn't for taking speech and debate.

Speech and debate was the only class that I feel actually prepared me for the "real world". I have learned so much from the class that it has changed the way I talk and write. If someone asked me what I took most out of a class in high school, it would be speech and debate. It's not all about the class, it's also about how your teacher teaches you, too. I had the best teacher in the state of Mississippi. She made sure each and every one of her students succeeded in everything we did in the class from debate tournaments to debating about random topics with family and friends.

With all of that being said, if your school offers the course, take it. You will leave that class a whole new person. And remember, when debating about a topic whether it's with a friend or family member, be respectful.