Q&A for How to Win a Debate

Clear diction, loud voice, wit, and confidence. To be honest, anyone can become a good debater if they practice.

Don't memorize your debate word-for-word. Instead, memorize key talking points and the evidence you have to back them up. This will give your debate a more natural presentation.

Smile from time to time to feel more comfortable. If you can't look at people while you are talking without getting distracted or anxious, try to focus on a part of their face that's not their eyes. Keep referring to your notes, which are there to help you maintain your focus.

Use any of the following responses to oppose a motion: "That motion achieves a goal contradictory or tangentially, but never coinciding with true justice." "The result of that motion defeats the motive." "The logic behind that motion contradicts itself, or is unsubstantiated." "That motion is founded is emotion rather than logic."

You'll have to think of your points and rebuttals there and then. Stay confident and approach the topic with clear thoughts.

At the beginning, ask a simple question.

Practice at home with family or in front of the mirror. The more you know your material, the more it will help you to gain confidence.

You can, but be prepared for what you ask.

You have to convince yourself that you actually believe your motion. Don't hold onto the table while speaking. Have confidence and tell yourself you are winning this debate and you will.

Knowing your subject well is key. Practice body language that expresses confidence: eye contact, upright posture, relaxed gestures, an occasional smile.

At the start of a debate, the first speakers usually define the motion. The process of defining the motion is to explain it, and here you can twist the explanation to your advantage. Understand your side well, and find your angle.

It depends on what topic you are covering. Usually, the opposing team will ask different questions to make you re-think or question what you said; this may mess you up, which is exactly what they want. If this happens, just do the best you can to answer their question without being hypocritical or incorrect.

Seventh-grade students may debate the death penalty, affirmative action, euthanasia and other social topics.

Listen to your opposition carefully and try to counter every point with logic and facts.

Talk to your team, a friend or family. Practice is good for most people, but others have a tendency to forget everything once they are there. To avoid this and nervousness, think that the speech is one-third of whether or not your team will win. If the pressure doesn't help you, then think that it is only 5 minutes out of your life and remember that all the time you have put into the speech will be wasted if you don't give it your all. Push through it, and good luck!

Try to sum up everything in one line or you can try ending it with a suitable phrase.

Listen to their speech carefully. Notice the points missed and try to ask questions related to those points. Your opponent's main faults are difficult questions which he or she does not seem to understand.

One is not better than the other, just socially accepted. All legal force is predicated on the ultimate use of physical force. Any law which is not enforced with physical action, or at least the threat thereof, is no law at all.

Listen carefully to what your opposition says, and scribble down a few important thoughts to use as starting points.

At this point, your opponent has prepared well. Just pass and try to give them a question that you don't think they know the answer to.

No, you should not use sarcasm. It hurts your side more than it helps.

Encourage them when they are struggling and praise them when they do well. Set a positive example for them.

Make flashcards to remember key points and write out your speech so you can go over it many times in advance.

Yes, you may reject or it and you can ask the speaker if he or she can state it after you finish making your argument.

Smile, and say something simple, like, "Good Morning," "Greetings," "Welcome," etc.

Just do a lot of research and try your best. You don't have to believe the things you're saying. And since you're actually on the other side of the debate, you should have a good idea what your opponent is going to say, and that will help you develop counterarguments ahead of time.

Give great points. The stronger the point is, the higher the chance you would win. Answer the POIs with proof and evidence.

In case people ask where you got your information from, you should have your references on standby but don't recite them, you'll just waste time and bore most people.