The art of debating involves many factors and must be done in a skillful manner. In essence, the core spirit in a debate can be summarized into three main factors: ethos (ethics), pathos (emotions), and logos (rationality). Developing an argument following the three factors above will ensure you have a solid foundation, but in order to win a debate, you must remember how you represent yourself and refute the other party's points as well. Knowing what to watch for and preparing to execute it can be the difference between victory and defeat.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Debate
Step 1. Do some research for your chosen topic
You should know the general details of the topic to be debated, but in particular you should also note down any specific information and figures that you may need. This information will help strengthen the rationale in your argument because numbers can have a powerful impact on an audience, and are hard to argue with.
- Do research with an open method so that you can make a more critical evaluation of the facts. Open-method research usually requires you to change your reading habits and conduct studies to include sources that are educational or based on current events.
- Do focused research on your topic. Of course there are certain areas of knowledge that you are good at, on the other hand there are also things that you are not aware of. Make notes on both, then try to fill in your gaps by coordinating research results with other teammates so that you can avoid or minimize overlap in your research and thus make the most of your time.
Step 2. Wear appropriate clothing for debate
The way you present yourself to an audience is often seen as part of the debate itself and is likely to affect value. What the proper attire looks like in this situation will vary depending on the level of competition you're in and the expectations of those involved. From the outset you want to give your audience the impression that you are a respectable person and respect them, and that can be achieved by wearing more formal attire.
- Ask your teacher or supervisor what clothing is most appropriate for the level of competition you're in if you're not sure.
- For low-level or less serious competitions you may only need to wear a shirt or polo shirt and khakis.
- For high-level competitions, such as championships, you may want to wear a suit.
- Don't overdress. Wearing a tuxedo may make you stand out, but it can also be seen as showing off.
Step 3. Write your speech
After deciding which argument and material to use, also write down the speech you will deliver in the debate. Speeches can make a significant difference, though it also depends on the type of debate and the rules set. However, every debate should have:
- An introduction that provides basic and topic information. Please remember that the introduction is not biased.
- A body that includes emotional points, logical points, and ethical points that support the debate. You should also provide examples, quotes, and statistics to strengthen your argument.
- A conclusion that summarizes the key points you and/or team members made.
Step 4. Practice your material
Practice is an important part of preparing for a debate. Practice will help you feel more comfortable with the material you have prepared. In addition, you can pay attention to your voice and gestures when speaking while identifying areas that are still problematic.
- If possible, make recordings as you practice. That way you can observe posture, gestures and voice volume when speaking.
- Try practicing in front of a mirror. Pay attention to how you move your hands, whether your words match your facial expressions, and whether your body language seems natural.
Step 5. Memorize the main points
If you're able to remember quickly, you'll be able to respond more quickly to your opponent's arguments. In addition, memorization allows you to easily access vital information for argument/refutation. Showing intelligence can make the jury add value so that the opponent lags behind.
Step 6. Predict the strength of the opponent
While building an argument, also pay attention to your weak points because chances are your opponent will take advantage of them. More than that, think of the best arguments that can be used to break the opponent's attack. Keep this in mind, and think of ways to question or undermine the validity of your opponent's argument.
Step 7. Create a debate aid
Certain levels of debate or rules set by the committee may not allow participants to use index cards during the debate, but these tools can still be used for memorizing and organizing debate material. If reading cards are allowed, they can help keep your arguments and rebuttals well-organized and accurate.
- Arrange the reading cards in such a way that the most important information stands out from the rest by using underlines, highlighters, or other markers.
- Outline the most important points from your points so that if someone interrupts or you lose your way, you can easily get back on topic.
- Study with the help of reading cards regularly. Schedule study times at certain intervals throughout the day, such as after waking up, at lunch, and before going to bed. Repetition will help strengthen your memorization.
Step 8. Make sure you get enough sleep
This may be difficult to do, especially if you're a nervous person because tension can cause even the most relaxed debater to have trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on how quickly you respond, remember, and on mental acuity, which ultimately manifests in your score. To keep nervousness from interfering with your sleep, you should:
- Exercise the day before the debate.
- Use natural sleep supplements, such as chamomile tea or melatonin, to help you sleep soundly.
Step 9. Eat well before the debate
Most experienced speakers will prepare for debate by eating moderate amounts of food. Most of them eat just to prevent hunger during the debate, but avoid heavy food because it can make you sleepy and feel lethargic. It's also a good idea to avoid dairy products as they can cause mucus which can interfere with sound production, and caffeinated drinks, which can cause an overactive bladder.
Part 2 of 3: Presenting Yourself During the Debate
Step 1. Speak in a clear voice
Pay attention to the environment in which the debate is being held to determine the most effective volume of sound. If the organizers provide a microphone to use, you should check the volume before starting your speech. If the debate is being held in a smaller room, it may benefit you to use a warm, conversational tone, while a large presentation room may require a louder-than-normal voice.
Step 2. Apply the appropriate appearance
The jury will also assess how you integrate body language and speech. Recognize emotional changes in speech and adjust for these with appropriate posture and gestures. Three important aspects of your appearance include:
- Posture: avoid slouching or lazy postures as this can be interpreted negatively. An upright body with a straight back, feet shoulder-width apart, standing still, but calm will make it easier for you to change gestures/postures while speaking.
- Gestures: make sure you do a variety of body movements. Repetitive motion can affect grades. Try to keep the movement of the body above the waist so that it is easy to see.
- Eye contact: It's okay if you have to check notes to confirm certain points or points, but maintain strong and consistent eye contact throughout the debate. You should practice speaking and skimming notes before debating.
Step 3. Take notes during the argument
In order for you to refute inaccurate information, dispute a certain point, or present a counter-argument properly, you must make certain points in defense of your argument. Compare the opposing team's statistics with your own and record any information that is questionable, incomplete, or misrepresented.
Step 4. Point out the negative points in your argument from a positive point of view
Using different words can drastically change how your audience interprets information and if you get the chance to make a final statement, using different words can be an effective strategy for turning a negative opinion into a positive one. You may want to use different words for possible rebuttals by your opponent so that you have a counter-argument prepared to some extent.
The point about “School uniforms limit student individuality” can be changed back to “School uniforms prevent individuality from having a negative impact on the learning process of all students”
Step 5. Defend your proposition with conviction
For a proposition to be accepted, you must convince the jury that the topic of your debate (motion) is the only way to go. This can be achieved by defending it against the opposition while explaining the points that support your proposition.
Step 6. Meet the requirements as an opposition party
By general standards, debate has a purpose that is considered strong evidence of a superior argument. Although it can be represented in various forms, there are common ways that can be used to win debates as an opposition party:
- Prove that the problem solved by motion never exists.
- Prove that the proposed motion does not solve the problem.
- Prove that the motion is not the right way to solve the problem and/or that the proposed plan carries more negative consequences than positive benefits.
Step 7. Make sure new points get attention
This is especially useful if you are a third speaker as it can distract from the more important point you have just raised. It can also bring the audience's attention to the main strength of your argument. However, it's best not to make new arguments at this stage as this can often lead to negative judgments. Even so, you are still allowed to attack or defend any argument from a new angle.
Step 8. Rebuttal to the opposition
Identify and record important arguments presented by the opposing team. Deciphering the opponent's argument will bring value to the ability to refute and put the opposing team in a defensive position. An effective way to do this during a debate is to ask the following questions:
- Does the opposing side's methodology have some weaknesses?
- Did the opposition make statements that contained factual, moral, or logical errors?
- Is the opposition making assumptions or logical errors?
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with POIs (CNDF or National debate style)
Step 1. Know the rules for interrupts (Points of Information)
POIs can only be performed during unprotected time or are usually defined as the time after the first minute and before the third minute of the speech. POIs must be submitted in the form of questions, but otherwise POIs can be used for a variety of purposes.
- Some of the functions of a POI include: clarifying, interrupting someone's speech, pointing out weakness, or getting an answer can support your own argument.
- An example of using a POI for your argument could be something like this: “After the second speaker of the proposition accepted my POI, he acknowledged that…”
- In highly competitive debates, POIs are limited to 15 seconds.
Step 2. Present the POI by adhering to proper etiquette
To deliver a POI, you must stand with one hand above your head while the other is raised in the air. As a speaker, you can decline or accept POIs. During a 4 minute speech, receiving at least two POIs is considered good enough, but at a minimum you should try to receive at least one.
- Accept the POI by saying, “Yes”, or “I will listen to your point.”
- Reject the POI by saying, “No thanks”, or waving your hand gently down to ask your opponent to sit back down.
Step 3. Break the counter argument
You and your team must pay attention to the POI submitted by the opposing party. This can be an early signal to know the direction of the opposing team's arguments and rebuttals because critical questions in the form of POIs can reveal how deep the opposing party's knowledge or ignorance is. Use this foreknowledge to prepare your defenses.
If one of the opposing team's POIs refers to a particular research or authority, you may want to consider what you know about the source. As you consider the source, think about how you can refute other points the other party might make based on the source
Step 4. Don't beat around the bush
Since POIs are limited to 15 seconds, and the speaker reserves the right to reject them, your POI must be motivated by a key principle or argument. The first sentence of the POI should include the main point so you don't get cut off. Make sure you are ready to resume your speech after completing the POI.
Tips
- SEI: State your argument – Explain your argument – Illustrate your argument.
- Try to stay calm and steady throughout the debate. Nervousness can make you forget a lot of things. However, even if you forget something, remember that by participating in the debate you are learning a valuable skill.
- While you can silence your opponent, it doesn't necessarily mean victory and there's nothing wrong with having a dominant vocabulary.
- Label your arguments using the acronym S. P. E. R. M. S. (social, political, economic, religious, moral, scientific).
- Don't add bullet points that are hard to remember at 11 o'clock.
