Debate develops the ability to make prompt, analytical responses. Cross examination demands quick and decisive responses to questions about argumentation made before. Debate develops critical listening skills. Debaters develop excellent listening skills from their first debate when they learn that they must KNOW their opponents arguments as well as their own. Through flowing, accurate and practiced note taking, debaters learn to glean and analyze information as their hear it.
Debate develops proficiency in writing.
While the greater part of debate is perceived to be speaking in front of people, a good portion is preparation of argumentation before ever standing in front of another team or judge. This writing and arguing ability will carryover to many other fields such as preparing research papers and answering essay questions on exams. Debate encourages mature judgment. Debates learn the value of suspending judgment until both sides are looked at. After debating both sides of an issue for entire year, debaters know that the complex issues of today have many sides that need to be examined.