Preparing to attend university, one piece of advice was ubiquitous: join a society. Clubs and societies, I was told, are the most optimal means of finding your tribe, and ensuring that your time at university is holistically enriching. So, desperately keen to find a convivial group, I cast a wide net in my first semester — joining eight different societies. Six months later, a few special communities have won my heart: the Literific being one of them.

The Literary and Scientific society, affectionately known as the Literific, is the debating society at Queen’s. Every Thursday evening all throughout the academic year, ordinary meetings are held, in which 6-8 speakers debate a set motion. Issued at the beginning of each new semester, term cards are unfailingly jam-packed and broach a wide assortment of topics. From “This House supports a wealth tax” to “This House believes it’s embarrassing to have a boyfriend” the Literific covers it all!

“This House believes love is blind” — my maiden speech!

My time at the Literific

The Literific has had a fundamental impact on my time here. I have met some of my nearest and dearest at weekly debates and social events. I first discovered the society at Fresher’s fair, where I met the Internal Convenor, who encouraged me to attend their fresher’s debate. Admittedly, I felt timid on arrival; I did not know anyone in the room, and the thought of sitting alone was daunting, but the President immediately approached me to introduce himself, and it dawned on me very quickly just how chatty everyone was!

Before I knew it, I was striking up conversations with strangers and making my first acquaintances. I look back on the fresher’s debate fondly, as so many of those once unfamiliar faces are now people I look forward to catching up with every week. 

"The Literific has had a fundamental impact on my time here. I have met some of my nearest and dearest at weekly debates and social events."

The society has done wonders for my confidence, and that’s just from showing up and engaging with fellow members. The heart and soul of the Literific, spirited debate, has been truly transformative. 

“This House believes the US is beyond saving”

Public speaking

The Literific’s key aim is to promote the skill of public speaking, and it does so not only through its ordinary meetings but through workshops, debate sparring, and collaborations with other societies. For instance, I very much enjoyed speaking on behalf of Book Club for our World Book Day collaboration, which was part of the Literific’s ‘Grand Tourney’ — a cross-campus initiative that invites different Queen's societies to compete in debates.

For eager speakers, the Literific attends a wealth of external competitions across the UK and Ireland. Should you fancy it, you might travel to Trinity College Dublin or to the University of Oxford; compete in leagues such as the well-respected Irish Times debate; or even take part in our very own internal competitions, such as the annual Dufferin and Godkin debates.

“This House regrets the rise of BookTok” — collaboration with QUB Book Club.

Speech delivery and writing are both fundamental abilities, and debating provides an opportunity to hone them in an entertaining way. Whether it’s delivering a presentation to my tutorial group or filling out internship applications, the proficiency I have earned from competing in debates has proved hugely transferable. Speaking in front of a crowd may seem nerve-racking at first, but maiden speakers are extremely well supported. The Internal Convenor meets with all new speakers beforehand to offer guidance, and the audience provides ample encouragement.

The 177th session has currently seen more than 50 maiden speakers take to the podium! Ultimately, it is at the attendee's discretion whether they choose to get involved with motions or merely spectate, and some of the Literific’s most devout members choose not to speak at all. What’s important is coming along with an eager ear and an open mind. 

Dialogue and discourse

Another significant aspect of the Literific is its championing of critical thinking and open discourse. Through relevant motions and private member’s business, the society offers a “platform for students in Belfast to engage with the most pressing issues of the day” (Literific website). Private member’s business is a segment that takes place prior to the debate itself, where members offer thoughts on current affairs and seek the sentiments of the house. In such turbulent times, it is more important than ever to engage with varying viewpoints and diverse perspectives, and so these discussions have become a pivotal part of my week. 

"Whether it’s delivering a presentation to my tutorial group or filling out internship applications, the proficiency I have earned from competing in debates has proved hugely transferable."

Furthermore, the Literific also hosts the LitTalk series, a slew of special events throughout the academic year that invite guest speakers to deliver talks on specialised topics. These events are enormously eye opening; hearing from politicians, journalists, ambassadors and even former presidents has offered me such a plethora of new ideas. I particularly admired the Declan Lawn LitTalk, where the creator of BBC hit drama series ‘Blue Lights’ walked us through his professional journey. As an aspiring writer, I was greatly inspired by his experiences and lessons.

A LitTalk with Dr Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland.

History and heritage

The sharing of ideas is built into the very foundation of the Literific. In 1850, just one year after Queen’s opened its doors to students, E.L. Godkin established The Literary and Scientific Society, referred to as the ‘Literific' by its members. The Literific is Queen’s oldest society, predating the Students' Union by almost half a century. In that time, the society has changed greatly; originally a “paper-reading society”, wherein speakers would “read out their essays and present lectures” (Literific website), the Literific has evolved throughout the decades to become what we know it as today: the centre of debating at Queen’s. 

The lengthy history of the Literific is really quite astounding. Our typical venue, the McMordie hall — now part of Queen’s music building — has been used by the Literific since the late 1800s. To sit where hundreds of former Literificans have sat and debated for more than a century adds a real sense of ceremony to the experience. I feel very proud to be a part of such a historic and prestigious society! 

The Queen's music building

Community

Perhaps the greatest things I have derived from the Literific are lifelong friendships. Every debate, workshop or event is a chance to spend time with a fantastic bunch of people. I am therefore grateful for the abundance of social meetups: karaoke, quizzes and parties to attend.

"The society has done wonders for my confidence, and that’s just from showing up and engaging with fellow members."

Something that surprised me about the Literific was the amount of laughter that punctuates meetings. From the hilarious President’s questions segment at the beginning of the evening to the occasional fancy-dress, the society achieves the perfect equilibrium of gravitas and banter.

Winning ‘best dressed’ at our Halloween debate.

President's message

To conclude, I asked the president of the 177th session, Daniel Devenney, what he wished students knew about the Literific. This is what he had to say: 

“At the Literific, we pride ourselves on being a society that is open to one and all. Everyone is welcome to join our vibrant, active community, and we offer plenty of opportunities to get involved through exciting debates, socials and events. Whether you wish to come along and watch the spectacle of our debates unfold, embrace the social life we offer and make friends across campus (which is what I did in my first year with the society), or to give debating a go and take part in competitions across the UK and Ireland: this Society is for you!” 

As you will have gathered, I cannot recommend this society highly enough. There is truly something for everyone — with such an eclectic line-up of motions and guest-speakers, you are guaranteed to espy something of interest. If the Literific sounds like your cup of tea, the best place to find out more is on the Instagram page, where all events are advertised in advance, or on the society’s official website. I hope to see you at a debate! 

Find out more

Why I Chose to Study English at Queen’s, and Why You Should Too!

A Day in the Life of an English with Creative Writing Student at Queen's

Elizabeth Noble English with Creative Writing | Undergraduate Student | Ireland Hello there! My name is Elizabeth, I am a current first year, studying English with Creative Writing at Queen’s. So far, my time in Belfast has been an absolute whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. From studying the course of my dreams, to joining eight societies in the first semester, I certainly know how to keep busy! I feel very proud to be the Vice-President of Queen’s Book Club, where I work to foster a passion for reading in students of all backgrounds. My degree has been a true pleasure thus far, with new literature to sink my teeth into each week, and the opportunity to hone my craft as a writer under the guidance of published authors. I have truly found a home here, and can often be seen dashing across campus, attending various events and retreating to the library.