Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Debating in Everyday Life
• Method 2 of 3: Leading Formal Debates Effectively
• Method 3 of 3: Choosing a Form of Formal Debate
• Tips

The ability to engage in friendly, informal or formal polemics is an ancient art form. These days, verbal jokes can be used both in ordinary everyday debates and in officially organized debates. Whether you are engaging in spontaneous team or individual debates, it will be helpful to master some of the common strategies and formats for informal and formal debates.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Debating in Everyday Life

1. 1 Begin the debate by asking questions. After initially probing the topic with the right questions, you can gradually open up further discussion. Since in this case you are taking part in informal debates, you do not have the opportunity to know exactly the point of view of the interlocutor or what exactly he believes. Ask him the appropriate questions to narrow down the list of possible options.
   • To get a better idea of ​​a person's hobbies and experiences, ask them a follow-up question like the following: "Do you think the missing link in animal fossils means anything to the theory of Darwinism?"
   • Try asking a direct question to get the exact opinion of the other person: "So what is your position on anti-discrimination policy?"
2. 2 Try to understand the other person's point of view. Ask follow-up questions to clarify any confusing points. Nobody's worldview is perfectly consistent, but it is difficult to conduct a polemic with the person who says one thing or the other. Try to politely point it towards one line of more or less consistent arguments.
   • If you still can't figure out which side of the interlocutor's arguments are, try to subtly help him decide: "So, if I understand you correctly, you mean that the ten-kopeck coins need to be taken out of circulation, since the costs of producing each coin are much more expensive than ten kopecks?"
3. 3 Submit your counterarguments. After respectfully confirming what the other person is saying, present your own counterarguments. Explain the essence of your point of view and how it contradicts the arguments of the other person. Try to think of your idea as equally valid as your opponent's. Don't say your opponent is wrong; think about what unshakable arguments can be made to support your point of view.
   • For example, if an opponent says that the government should introduce tax breaks for hybrid car owners, do not tell him, "I think you are wrong, this is a terrible idea."
   • Instead, challenge his thought with another idea: "I believe that the government should focus its efforts on organizing a comprehensive urban transport system, it will be better for the environment if the urgent need of people for individual vehicles is removed."
   • Give examples to support your claims and to explain why you advocate that position.
4. 4 Provide rebuttals for the interlocutor's arguments. After voicing your own counterarguments, try to refute the opponent's arguments with your supporting arguments, as well as evidence to support these arguments.
   • “Is there any real sense in saying that any level of government (municipal, provincial or federal) should legislate on sexual morality? It is not a question of 'opportunity', since they are quite capable of doing this; the question is, is it right do they tell people how they should handle their bodies within the walls of their own home? To what extent will their power extend if we let them poke their noses into our home? "
5. 5 Respond to your opponent's rebutting arguments. It is very likely that your interlocutor with whom you entered into a debate will find a way to find fault with some of your statements. Memorize your opponent's rebuttals and try to shake them off when the person has finished speaking.
   • Since you will be in an informal setting, you will not be able to take notes during the conversation. Use more informal ways to memorize what the other person says. For example, you can curl your fingers to count the number of your opponent's phrases you want to respond to.
   • Curl your finger at each phrase that interests you, and bend your fingers in sequence as you challenge each one.
   • If this option does not suit you, simply ask the other person to remind you of what he said. He will be happy to repeat everything to you.
6. 6 Learn to identify logical errors. When someone comes up with an argument that doesn't fit into common sense, try to catch the other person and politely correct him. Common logical mistakes include slippery evasive arguments, looped reasoning, or attacking arguments against the personality of the interlocutor.
   • Suppose that the interlocutor can tell you: "If we allow refugees from war zones into our country, then very soon we will begin to let in all victims of anthropogenic disasters, then we will start letting in victims of natural disasters, then we will have to start letting everyone into the country, who, in one way or another, suffered for any reason at all, because of which our country will be completely overpopulated! "
   • To such a statement, you can answer: "I understand your fears, but I believe that a logical error has crept into them. One action does not have to lead to another, these are rather slippery arguments."
7. 7 Be calm and relaxed. Do not insist on discussing a topic that your friend or acquaintance does not want to discuss. If the two of you are enjoying the controversy, remember to be friendly and calm throughout the controversy. Being polite in conversation with the other person always pays off, even if you argue with him. Don't make the mistakes below.
   • Avoid kinks in your conversation. You have an informal polemic, which should be a free exchange of opinions, and not consist only of your endless arguments about why you are right and the interlocutor is not.
   • Do not expect deliberate negativity from your opponent in advance. The interlocutor may simply make a reservation, or your controversy itself will become somewhat heated. It is best to assume that the interlocutor enters into the debate with purely friendly intentions and is not going to offend you in any way.
   • Do not raise your voice and do not let passions run high. Try not to get involved in polemics to the point where you lose control of yourself.Debate should be civilized and edifying, but not like a practical lesson in bullying your opponent.
8. 8 Don't rewrite the same arguments over and over. Some debate turns into a vicious circle and continues over and over again, as neither side is willing to admit defeat. If you find yourself caught up in an ongoing controversy, don't keep pushing. Just say: "I respect your opinion. I disagree with you, but I might agree in the future. Would you give me a little time to think things over?"
9. 9 Maintain friendly communication. No one will want to enter into polemics with you if you do not know how to bear losses with dignity or become disrespectful to your opponents. As heated as the debate may be, try to be friendly in the way you present your arguments. You may have different points of view with the interlocutor, but this does not mean that you cannot be friends with him.

Method 2 of 3: Leading Formal Debates Effectively

1. 1 Follow all rules and professional standards. While the rules may vary depending on the situation, many standards apply to all debates. To be a serious debate opponent, you must show up in the right suit and behave in the right way. For important formal debates, and in general for any debate you wish to emerge victorious from, wear a tailored suit or other formal attire. Dress like a politician, or dress like you usually dress for a funeral. Do not, under any circumstances, take off your suit jacket and tie (if you wear one.
   • Don't wear anything tight or revealing.
   • When speaking, face the debate arbiter and speak while standing.
   • If you include quotes, say them in full.
   • If during the debate you are not sure whether the action you are planning can be considered professional, ask the arbiter of the meeting for permission. For example, it is wise to ask permission if you need to go out to drink water.
   • In team debates, avoid inciting opponents unless they are close to robbing you of any chance of winning. In general, try not to do this at all.
   • Keep your cell phone disconnected.
   • Do not swear.
   • Limit yourself to only those jokes that will be acceptable in your particular professional setting. Don't make inappropriate jokes or jokes based on unfeeling stereotypes.
2. 2 Be prepared to accept the topic of discussion suggested to you. For example, in the British Parliament, one team of parliamentarians must defend an "affirmative" position, and the other "opposite". The team that supports the idea is called the approving team, or the government team, and the team that does not agree with it is called the denying team, or the opposition team.
   • In a political debate, the approving team can propose their own plan of action, and the opposition team must argue that such a plan cannot be enforced.
   • Both parliamentary teams sit side by side in the conference room where they will speak: the approving team (government team) sits on the left, and the denying team (opposition team) sits on the right.
   • The debate will be initiated by the chairman or arbiter of the session, after which the first speaker will deliver his speech. The order of speakers usually alternates: the representative of the approving team, the representative of the denying team, and so on.
3. 3 If necessary, clearly define the topic for discussion. The debate about "that the death penalty is a just and effective punishment" is probably clear enough in itself, but what to do when the debate arises on a topic as vague as the claim that "happiness is a noble trait than prudence "? In such a situation, it is necessary to offer a clear definition of the topic before continuing the discussion further.
   • The approver always gets the first and best opportunity to define the topic of discussion. To do this well, try to present the idea in the same way that the average person on the street can. If your interpretation turns out to be overly creative, opponents may attack it.
   • The denying team is given the opportunity to refute the asserting party's statement (in other words, challenge it) and propose their own, but only if the asserted statement is unfounded or presents the opposition position as outdated. The first speaker from the opposition must refute the opinion of the approving party if he decides to challenge it.
4. 4 Know how to arrange your speech in the allotted time for it. Check your watch regularly, or even set the timer to go off a minute before your time runs out so you can summarize your arguments in time. The time allotted to you will depend on the style of the debate. For example, in the British Parliament, a speech is usually given seven minutes. To write an effective speech, first list your main claims, then back them up with evidence, additional rebuttals, and any examples or incidents you feel like sharing.
   • Depending on your position, you must follow a certain protocol, for example, ask a topic or present a major controversial point for her.
5. 5 Support your own reasons. If you say that you think “the death penalty should be abolished,” be prepared to prove why your position offers the best course of action. Provide supporting arguments and provide real-world evidence for each. Make sure the arguments and evidence used as justification are really relevant to your position, otherwise your opponents may turn them in their favor or require them to be eliminated altogether.
   • Your arguments may be statements that "the death penalty is more expensive than keeping a criminal in prison", that "the death penalty does not provide the criminal with an atonement" or that "the death penalty does not represent the country in the best light in the eyes of the international community."
   • The evidence can be statistics and expert opinions.
6. 6 Be careful about what you intend to include in your speech. If you don't know something for sure, do not include it in the debate unless you have any other choice. But if you do not know the topic under discussion, try to at least present vague ambiguous information so that it would be difficult for your opponents to find a refutation for it.
   • If they do not understand something, it will be difficult for them to refute your words. At the same time, remember that the referee of the meeting will probably not understand you very well either, nevertheless, it is better to try to say at least something than to say: “I don’t know anything and transfer the initiative into the hands of my opponents”.
   • Don't ask rhetorical questions. Always be clear about the questions you raise. If you leave the question open, then you give your opponents room to argue.
   • Use religion only when appropriate. What is written in the Bible, Torah, Koran, and so on, usually cannot serve as a source of justification for their arguments, since not all people consider such sources to be true.
7. 7 Present your arguments with feeling. Your speech should be passionate, because from a monotonous voice people can simply doze off and miss the essence of what you are trying to say. Speak clearly, slowly, and loudly.
   • Maintain eye contact with the person who determines the winning side in the debate. While it is perfectly acceptable to periodically glance at your opponents, try to direct your own arguments to the arbiter of the match.
   • Present your reasons in general terms before moving on to describe them. This way, the public will understand what to expect from you, and the arbiter will not interrupt you before your time is up.
8. 8 Strike a balance between reflecting your team's views and challenging your opponents' position. Since the parties take turns in a debate, there is usually always an opportunity to rebut the opponents' position only if you are not the first speaker to approve. For example, in the British Parliament, both teams can organize their own debate strategy according to the following scheme.
   • First speaker from the approving team:
     • defines a topic (optional) and presents the main line of reasoning of their team;
     • briefly and in general terms informs about what each of the two speakers of his team will talk about;
     • represents the first half of the affirmative.
   • First speaker from the opposition team:
     • accepts or rejects the application (optional) and presents their team's main line of reasoning;
     • briefly and in general terms informs about what each of the two speakers of his team will talk about;
     • refutes several positions presented by the first speaker of the approving team;
     • represents the first half of the negating arguments.
   • The speeches of the second speakers from the affirming and denying sides are structured in the same way.
9. 9 Resist the key arguments of your opponents. Use the tips below when challenging the opposition team's arguments.
   • Provide evidence to refute. Don't rely solely on the energetic, persuasive tone of your statements. Explain to the chairperson of the debate why the opposition team's arguments are untenable, and do not just state it.
   • Target the most important parts of your opponent's argument. It will not be very effective to wash the bones with an unintelligible component of the opponent's arguments. Go to the core of his argument and smash it piece by piece with the ruthlessness of a surgeon.
   • For example, if opponents advocate an increase in the budget for military spending and at the same time, among other things, declare that citizens are ungrateful to what the armed forces are doing for them, the last part of the statement can be beaten with a calm phrase "I dare to disagree with you" and then concentrate on the actual problems increasing the expenditure side of the budget.
   • Refuse to attack the identity of opponents. The essence of such attacks is that you are criticizing the other person, not his ideas. Target your opponent's ideas, not their personality.
10. 10 Make the most of your time allotted to you (or most of it). The more you talk, the more chances you will have to convince the arbiter of the meeting. Please note that this should be accompanied by a lot of examples, not empty chatter. The more explanations about your innocence the arbiter of the debate hears, the more he believes you.
11. 11 Understand the criteria for winning the debate, if applicable. In most cases, a debate is judged on the following three main dimensions: facts, demeanor, and methods used.
    • Facts represent a certain amount of relevant evidence. How much evidence does the speaker provide to support his statements? How convincing is the evidence used to support his arguments?
    • Demeanor is about making eye contact and keeping in touch with the audience. You must not take your eyes off the cards with your theses! Speak clearly. Emphasize your arguments by varying the volume, tone, and rate of speech to emphasize important points. Use body language to emphasize specific arguments: Stand up straight and gesture confidently. Avoid hesitation, fussiness, or haste.
    • Methods used reflect the cohesion of your team.Overall, how well did the team organize their arguments and rebuttals? How well do the individual arguments as well as the rebuttals agree with each other? How clear and consistent is the team's line of reasoning?

Method 3 of 3: Choosing a Form of Formal Debate

1. 1 Think about team debates. Participation in a debate by a team of two or more people improves teamwork skills. Working with partners provides you with additional knowledge and research data with which you can continue to engage in further debates.
   • Try yourself in political debate. Usually such debates are held in a two-by-two format. You have the opportunity at any time to sign up for the appropriate training, where your team will defend the idea proposed by the organizers of the training. The training will assess your skills and endurance. In general, such trainings are useful for high school students preparing for interviews for admission to popular educational institutions of secondary and higher vocational education.
   • Try a worldwide school debate format. This debate format was developed in the United States by the National Speech and Debate Association and implies a style in which teams meet in a three-on-three format. Topics can be both fixed and impromptu, and the style of the debate is very interactive, as team members can ask each other questions even in the middle of a speech.
2. 2 Try taking part in one-on-one debates. One-on-one debates are a great choice for aspiring lawyers and people who prefer to work alone.
   • Try participating in a Lincoln-Douglas debate. A given theme is suggested for this 45 minute format. Before the debate, you are required to do an in-depth study of the topic and are not allowed to do this during the debate itself.
   • Explore the possibilities of impromptu debate. For a fast-paced experience, try engaging in an impromptu debate. You will be asked the topic and your side of the matter (affirmative or negative) half an hour before the debate begins. During this time, you will need to study the issue and formulate your arguments. The debate itself will take only 20 minutes.
3. 3 Try to arrange a simulation of political debate. A fun way to prepare yourself for a political career (or just talk to other stakeholders in the debate) is to simulate real decision-making in political debate.
   • Arrange a debate in the format of the US Senate. In training, you may be invited to take advantage of the popular debate in the US Senate format, which reflects the legislative process in the United States. The debate is attended by ten to twenty-five people and an elected chairman who leads the process. At the end of the debate, everyone votes to pass or block a specific decision.
   • Check out the UK parliamentary debate. This format is quite popular in the academic environment and is used all over the world. Four teams are involved in the overall debate process - two each from the affirming and opposition sides. Each team is represented by one speaker, that is, the debates themselves are held in a two-by-two format.

Tips

• Try to take part in the debate from time to time to get used to the controversy / controversy and begin to feel more comfortable in it.
• When expressing gratitude, first of all, do not forget to thank the opposition team, then the arbiter of the meeting, the chairman, the timekeeper and the audience.
• Study previous debates. So to speak, do not repeat the previous controversy word for word.
• There are no hard-and-fast rules for debating. Do what you think is most logical. If you want to raise a hundred questions for discussion, do so.If you want to discuss only one topic and defend your position on it throughout the debate, do so. There is nothing "right" or "wrong" about this question.
• Often during debates, a single bell rings a minute before the end of the speaker's time, when the time is up, a double bell rings, and after thirty additional seconds, a triple bell rings.
• Never argue with the match arbiter.
• In informal debates, when you are asked to just talk, you should immediately prepare for it, literally within five seconds.
• Present your own arguments in a simple way, pompous words will not help you, as they can spoil the impression of the arbiter of the meeting in relation to you.
• Just sit back and make sure to mentally collect all the key points for rebuttal.