photo: Jenny Bolario - Youth Radio/ BY-NC-SA

This piece aired on NPR's All Things Considered.

By Ashley Williams

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Every week, the Bay Area Urban Debate League meets in Downtown Oakland to hone their art of argument. But recently the group of high school students broke from their training to observe how the pros do it. Young debaters learn a lot watching President Obama and Governor Romney spar. They also learn what not to do.

Ashley Williams watched the last presidential debate with Oakland teens Sarafina Padilla, Elisa Saavedra and their coaches Robin Bonner, Perry Green and Dmitri Seals.