How to Perform Well in a Debate
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditPeople may come up with the most stunning content for their argument, but the fact is one-third of the marking criteria will go to 'performance' and 'manner of speaking'. Even this could determine which side wins.
Steps
- Realize that no matter how analytical and academic a debate is, the way you present it verbally, will have an effect on your adjudicator. There is a little bit of drama involved. For example, if the topic is comical (which they never usually are) then generally one should put on a happy act, and adopt a really cheerful voice. So match the 'mood' in which you are speaking with the topic you are arguing about.
- Maintain eye contact with the people around the room, especially the adjudicators. After all, they are the ones you are trying to persuade to your side; your team is already on your side. Of course, look at the adjudicators when introducing and concluding your speech, and also the guests - they are part of the audience.
- Before you start your speech find a steady spot to place your feet, because once the speech starts, it doesn't stop. The best stance to take is standing in the center of the room and planting your feet right together firmly on the ground. This prevents swaying, as some people fidget so much that they drop the cue-cards.
- Start by taking a deep breath, look up at the adjudicator and greet them. Don't start the debate with 'um' or 'uh'. All one should start with is "Good evening/morning adjudicator, fellow debaters, audience, my name is ________."
- Speak slowly . there is a time limit to every speech but most of the time, individual speeches don't exceed the time limit. It is much better to speak slowly, carefully, and somewhat convincingly. It hardly seems like one is 'arguing' when they inaudibly stutter a few hundred words with a trembling voice. People really want to hear what you've got to say, so let them!
- Be relaxed when you invent your rebuttals. Most are done by improvising on the spot. Do not worry about what you have just said, concentrate on what you are about to say. Don't make up a load of waffle, just pin-point where the opposition is wrong, find an idea that your team supports, and elaborate upon it.
- Don't give up if you are feeling mortified with the argument you just presented. It is not over until the conclusion has been stated, and state it loudly and confidently! Even if the back-up was not-so-spectacular, this is the opinion you are expressing. Give a large smile, say something along the lines of 'We hope we convinced you', and bid them a hearty goodbye.
- Learn the art and history of Rhetoric. Socrates the great Philosopher was a famous rhetorician, and won his arguments by letting his opponents contradict themselves with their own words. Therefore listen hard to your opponents' speeches.
- Speaking passionately is a great advantage.
- Revise your synonyms. It gets tiresome when speakers use the words 'misconception', 'contradictory', and 'flaws' during their rebuttal. Be creative! Words like 'misapprehended', 'inconsistency', 'indistinct', 'misinterpreted', are not so cliché.
- Practice speaking your debate in front of your friends, parents, or anyone willing to listen. If practised in front of the mirror, you can analyse your facial expression and hand gestures.
- The #1 most important factor is to relax.
- Cue-cards are easier to shuffle when they are in little squares. Long rectangular ones tend to slip from peoples' hands.
- Adjudicators don't like it when a person doesn't tell them what they are going to talk about for the next three minutes. At least briefly explain what main issues you will raise in your speech.
- Say what you're going to say, say it, and then finally say what you've just said.
- Label your arguments using S.P.E.R.M. (Social, Political, Economic, Religious and Moral) This makes it easier to keep track of your arguments and to structure your speech.
- State your argument - Explain your argument - Illustrate your argument
- Use hand gestures that illustrate your argument. This way, the audience have a visual and they won't get bored.
Warnings
- Just note that at the end of the day, the content and accuracy of your argument is ultimately what the adjudicator will be marking upon.
- Teams usually try to intimidate their oppositions by clapping extremely loudly when it's your turn. Just welcome it, and when it's their turn, clap even harder.
- Avoid laughing, giggling, choking, and gasping.
Things You'll Need
- Cue-cards
- Concentration
- Relaxation
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