Q&A for How to Be a Good Debater

You need to acknowledge the opposing argument and then support your argument with data, research, and statistics. You can also use everyday examples to further emphasize your argument; this will not only make it easier to understand, but also make it more relatable to your audience.

Pretend you are simply talking to to a friend. Stay calm while speaking. Understand and know your topic beforehand (if possible). Rebut as much as you can. Don't hold back. Last of all, be confident! If you make a mistake, just go on, the audience is usually very lenient, and no one knows if you've made a mistake unless you make a big fuss about it.

Lots of people are scared of public speaking; it's normal. Don't let being scared stop you from doing what you want to do. Prepare well, and take deep breaths.

Speak loudly and clearly with confidence. Much of the debate is based on your presentation, rather than the material itself.

Debate with your parents or siblings. Try simple topics that you might already unknowingly debate about, like doing chores, watching TV, etc.

You can if you are "for", then the opponents start asking questions first, then the debate starts. When you are with the flow, you can also raise a question and the debate goes on.

Most debates have four stock issues: topicality, inherency, significance, and solvency. They are the criteria for judging a debate. If the negative team wins any of these issue, then they win the round. To win on AFF, they must win all four stock issues.

Usually the school that is running the debate competition picks the debate topics so there is no cheating or arguments.

Use a yellow legal pad turned sideways so that the arguments can "flow" across the paper. Fold the paper into however many number of speeches there are. Fill the first column with the first speech, the second column with the second speech, etc. Each argument is written side by side across the flow pad.

Choose a few of the best arguments and have members vote on which ones they think are most effective.

It depends what age group you are in, but it usually goes for a minimum of 30 minutes.

You have to listen to each of them and what they are trying to say. If you have another idea, politely share it. Try to not be one-sided and think your arguments are better.

The rebuttal speech is essentially a "highlight reel" of your side of the round. On most ballots, the judge will have to fill out a box on his/her "reasoning for decision." Your rebuttal speech should try to answer this question for them. You can do this by identifying the major areas of clash, or disagreement, in the debate round, and proving why your side beats the opposing team on that point.

The best preventative is being prepared for your debate. Even when you prepare well, though, it's possible to slip up. When that happens, pause, take a breath, re-focus on your notes, and resume speaking. Try not to think about the mistake; move on quickly.

Be calm, be respectful, be honest, be truthful, keep track of your question, and find some logic on that topic. Do the best you can.

Try writing the most important points, and adding extra information in an abbreviated way -- just enough to remind you of what you were going to say.

Try checking online or watching sex education videos and premarital sex control campaigns.

It depends on your speech. If you are not very fluent at speaking, then cut the lines short with simple words. It may help you win the debate.

Use any evidence that is relevant. The more you can throw in a round to further your point or tear down the other team's, the better.

Someone with a weak argument tends to go off topic and contradict themselves, and can unknowingly prove your point. Pointing these things out can help.

It should be brief and to the point. Ideally, it should be two or three paragraphs.

Admit that herbal medicines are sometimes effective. Point out that epidemics spread wider and more quickly before the advent of modern medicine. Challenge any claims that make no biological sense by describing the science.