Debate Writing

Debate Speech

Caleb S.

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing and Delivering A Debate Speech

Published on: Mar 9, 2022

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

Debate Speech

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Whether you are a student, a policymaker, or a business leader, the ability to debate effectively can be a game-changer. 

Debate speeches are important for anyone wanting to persuade others. However, writing and delivering a debate speech isn’t easy, especially if you are new to the process. 

This guide explains simple steps on how to write and deliver an excellent debate speech. It covers everything from preparing your arguments to delivering your speech with confidence and conviction.

So dive in to learn!   

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What is a Debate Speech?

A debate speech is a structured argument on a specific topic that is presented in a formal setting.  

The main purpose of debate speech is to:  

  • Express your point of view persuasively and effectively
  • Convince the opposition that you are right.
  • Change the people’s point of view on a particular topic.

In a debate speech, the speaker presents their argument in a clear, concise, and convincing manner. Debate speeches have a set time limit, and the speaker must use their time effectively to make their case and address counterarguments. 

Preparing for a Debate Speech 

You can only win your debate if you have spent time preparing it well. Follow the steps below to be prepared for your next debate speech.

Understanding the Debate Format 

It's essential to understand the format of the debate in which you want to participate. Different debate formats have specific rules and guidelines that you need to follow to succeed. 

Some popular types of debates include parliamentary, Lincoln-Douglas, and policy debates.

  • Parliamentary debate is a format where two teams of two or three members argue for or against a motion. It is presided over by a moderator. In this format, debaters have limited preparation time to gather information and construct their arguments.
  • Lincoln-Douglas debate is a one-on-one debate where debaters argue for their positions on a specific topic. This format usually involves a value system and a criterion that the debaters must uphold and defend.
  • Policy debate is a format where two teams of two members argue for or against a specific policy proposal. This format requires in-depth research and analysis of the policy and its potential implications.

Selecting a Position

Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you feel strongly about. Once you have chosen a topic, narrow it down to a specific aspect that you can argue for or against. 

The clearer your position, the easier it will be to research and prepare your arguments.

Need some good debate topic ideas to get started? Check out our list of interesting and engaging debate topics to help you out!

Researching and Gathering Information

Once you have selected your topic, research it thoroughly. Gather as much information as you can from credible sources such as academic journals, news articles, and government reports. 

Take detailed notes, and make sure to record the sources you use so that you can reference them later.

Understanding Both Sides of the Argument 

To write a persuasive debate speech, it is important to understand both sides of the argument. 

Consider the arguments that your opponents might make and anticipate counterarguments. This will help you to strengthen your own arguments and address potential weaknesses in your position.

Organizing Your Arguments 

Once you have gathered all of the information you need, organize your arguments in a clear and logical way. 

Start by outlining the main points you want to make and then add supporting evidence to each point. Make sure that your arguments flow logically and build on each other.

Practicing Your Delivery

Finally, practice your delivery. Read your speech out loud several times to get a feel for how it flows. 

Time yourself to make sure that you can fit all of your arguments into the allotted time. Consider practicing in front of a friend or family member to get feedback on your delivery.

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How to Present a Debate Speech?

This type of speech requires some essential components. Here are the major components you need to present an effective debate speech. 

1. Catchy Introduction

The first important step is starting the debate with a compelling introduction. You can begin with a question, a quote, or a statistic related to the topic.

Moreover, your introduction should state your stance on the topic and provides a preview of your arguments. 

2. State the Problem & Define Key Terms

Define key terms in your speech that are important to your argument. This helps to ensure that your audience understands the meaning of the words you use.

3. Present Your Arguments

Present your arguments in a clear and logical order. Start with your strongest argument and provide evidence to support it. Then, move on to the weaker arguments and provide evidence for each one.

A good argument often follows the PEE structure, which means “Point, Evidence, Explanation (PEE)”.

  • Point or Reason: This is where you state your main idea or argument, providing a concise and clear statement of your position. The point should be specific, focused, and relevant to the topic at hand. It serves as the foundation for your argument
  • Evidence: Here, you provide supporting evidence to bolster your argument. This can take the form of examples, statistics, or any other relevant information that helps illustrate your point. 
  • Explanation: In this part, you elaborate on how the evidence you provided supports your point. This is where you explain the relationship between your point and the evidence, highlighting its significance

4. Rebuttals 

Address counterarguments by acknowledging the opposing viewpoints and refuting them with evidence. This is called a rebuttal. 

It shows that you have considered both sides of the argument and strengthens your own position. Addressing counterarguments through rebuttals is a vital aspect of constructing a well-rounded and persuasive argument. 

Rebuttals involve presenting evidence that challenges the opposing counter-arguments and weakens their validity. Additionally, it is crucial to explain the flaws or fallacies in the opposing arguments during the process of rebuttal.

5. Conclusion

End your speech with a strong conclusion that summarizes your arguments and restates your stance on the topic. You can also end with a call to action, encouraging your audience to take action based on your argument.

Tips for Presenting a Debate Speech Effectively

The above steps will help you prepare and present an acceptable speech, but you can improve it even more with the tips below.

  • Use Clear and Concise Language

Speak clearly and use language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or complex words that might confuse your audience.

  • Emphasize Key Points

Highlight the key points of your argument by using vocal inflection and tone. Emphasize important words or phrases to help your audience remember your key arguments.

  • Use Body Language and Gestures

Body language and gestures can help to reinforce your arguments and make your speech more engaging. Use hand gestures to emphasize key points, and vary your posture and movement to keep your audience interested.

  • Maintain Eye Contact

Maintain eye contact with your audience throughout your speech. This will help to establish a connection with them and make them feel more engaged with your argument.

  • Use Vocal Variety and Tone

Vary your vocal tone and pace to add interest and emphasis to your speech. Use pauses and changes in pace to emphasize important points, and vary your volume to make your arguments more impactful.

  • Use the Debate Speech Checklist

Here is a checklist that can help you evaluate your debate.

  • Does your speech cover your opinion about the topic?
  • Does your speech start with a catchy hook?
  • Does your speech cover all the main points?
  • Does your speech provide sufficient counterarguments?
  • Does your speech contain enough evidence?
  • Does your speech provide a call to action to the conclusion?

Debate Speech Examples 

Here are some examples to help you prepare and present your debate speech better. 

Debate Speech Structure

Debate Speech Template

Debate Speech Sample

Writing and delivering a successful debate speech requires careful planning, research, and effective communication skills. 

By following the steps and tips provided above, you can persuade your audience effectively and make a lasting impact. Remember to practice, rehearse, and be confident in your abilities. 

Still need expert help in writing your speech? We’ve got you covered! 

CollegeEssay.org is here to assist you. We are an expert speech writing service with a team of experienced professionals. 

Our AI essay writing tools can help you at every step of the speech-writing process, from selecting a topic to gathering evidence.

We provide customized, high-quality writing services at an affordable price. You can also take advantage from our AI essay writer tool to improve your writing skills.

So why wait? Contact our professional essay writing service and impress your audience with an amazing speech!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 4 types of debate.

The four main types of debate are: 

  • Parliamentary Debate 
  • Lincoln-Douglas Debate 
  • Cross-Examination Debate 
  • Academic Debate 

What are the 2 sides of a debate called?

The opposition and proposition are the two sides of a debate. 

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Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

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format for writing a debate speech

Introduction:

Engaging in debates is an essential skill for students as it encourages critical thinking, public speaking skills, and helps build their overall confidence. The key to winning these structured arguments lies in preparing an effective debate speech. This comprehensive guide explores various techniques and strategies employed not only by students but also by teachers for crafting a powerful debate speech.

1. Understand the Debate Format:

Before diving into writing the speech, familiarize yourself with the debate format being used. Typical debate formats include Parliamentary, Public Forum, and Lincoln-Douglas. Understanding the rules and time limits associated with each format will guide your preparation and presentation.

2. Research Your Topic Thoroughly:

A strong foundation of knowledge on your assigned topic is crucial for formulating persuasive arguments. Delve into various sources such as books, articles, or reliable websites to enhance your understanding while noting key points and evidence supporting your claims. This will also help you anticipate opposing arguments and prepare counterpoints.

3. Establish Your Position Clearly:

In a debate, you will either advocate for or against the topic; ensure your stance is clear from the outset of your speech. State your position with conviction in the introduction, allowing audience members or judges to understand which side you are representing.

4. Organize Your Argument Methodically:

Ensure that the speech follows a logical sequence by breaking it down into major points or contentions backed by evidence. Each contention should be supported by facts or examples that reinforce your argument, allowing audience members to follow your thought process easily.

5. Address Counterarguments:

Acknowledging opposing viewpoints is vital in debates – demonstrate how they may be flawed or less significant than your side’s points. By addressing counterarguments preemptively, you can persuade listeners by showcasing why your side deserves more credence.

6. Prepare a Strong Conclusion:

The conclusion brings together essential elements of the debate, summarizing your argument and providing a compelling reason why your side should prevail. A strong conclusion should leave a lasting impression on audience members or judges while reinforcing the key points made throughout the speech.

7. Practice Delivery and Time Management:

The effectiveness of a debate speech comes not only from its content but also from the speaker’s delivery. Rehearse your speech, focusing on maintaining appropriate pacing, intonation, and eye contact. Additionally, practice adhering to time limits applicable to your debate format to maximize your message.

8. Encourage Active Listening and Adaptability:

During the debate, actively listen to opposing arguments and adjust your points or refutations accordingly. This will display adaptability and show you are engaging with the material being presented.

9. Teachers: Guide Students in Speech Preparation:

As educators, fostering an interest in structured argument is key—guide students in researching topics, organizing arguments, and offering feedback on speeches before they’re presented in a formal debate setting. Provide opportunities for them to engage with various debate styles and levels of complexity.

Conclusion:

Writing a winning debate speech relies on thorough research, organized arguments, strong delivery skills, and adaptability. Students who invest time in honing these aspects will find that their confidence grows not only in debate formats but also regarding public speaking abilities in general. Similarly, teachers who foster these skills can inspire a new generation of logical thinkers eager to engage with contrasting opinions while encouraging self-growth.

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WHAT IS A DEBATE?

A debate is a formal discussion on a specific topic. Two sides argue for and against a specific proposal or resolution in a debate.

Debates have set conventions and rules that both sides or teams agree to abide by. A neutral moderator or judge is often appointed to help regulate the discussion between the opposing sides.

Debating is a form of persuasive communication. We have a complete guide to persuasive writing, which will form the backbone of your debating speech, which can be accessed here.

Visual Writing Prompts

A COMPLETE UNIT ON CLASSROOM DEBATING

Debate Speech,debating | class debating unit 1 | How to Write a Winning Debate Speech | literacyideas.com

This unit will guide your students to write excellent DEBATE SPEECHES and craft well-researched, constructed ARGU MENTS ready for critique from their classmates.

Furthermore, this EDITABLE UNIT will provide the TOOLS and STRATEGIES for running highly engaging CLASSROOM DEBATES.

How Is a Debate Structured?

Debates occur in many different contexts, and these contexts can determine the specific structure the debate will follow.

Some contexts where debates will occur include legislative assemblies, public meetings, election campaigns, academic institutions, and TV shows.

While structures can differ, below is a basic step-by-step debate structure we can look at with our students. If students can debate to this structure, they will find adapting to other debate structures simple.

1. Choose a Topic

Also called a resolution or a motion, the topic is sometimes chosen for each side. This is usually the case in a school activity to practice debating skills. 

Alternatively, as in the case of a political debate, two sides emerge naturally around contesting beliefs or values on a particular issue. 

We’ll assume the debate is a school exercise for the rest of this article.

The resolution or the motion is usually centered around a true or false statement or a proposal to make some change in the current state of affairs. Often the motion will start, ”This House believes that….”

2. Form Two Teams

Two teams of three speakers each are formed. These are referred to as ‘The House for the Motion’ or the ‘Affirmative’ team and ‘The House Against the Motion’ or the ‘Negative’ team.

Preparation is an essential aspect of debating. The speech and debate team members will need time to research their arguments, collaborate, and organize themselves and their respective roles in the upcoming debate.

They’ll also need time to write and rehearse their speeches too. The better prepared and coordinated they are as a team, the more chance they have of success in the debate.

Each speaker takes a turn making their speech, alternating between the House for the Motion, who goes first, and the House Against the Motion. Each speaker speaks for a pre-agreed amount of time.

The debate is held in front of an audience (in this case, the class), and sometimes, the audience is given time to ask questions after all the speeches have been made.

Finally, the debate is judged either by moderators or by an audience vote. 

The teams’ aim in a debate should be to convince a neutral third party that they hold the stronger position.

How to Write a Debate Speech

In some speech contest formats, students are only given the debate topic on the day, and limited time is allowed for preparation. Outside of this context, the speech writing process always begins with research.

Thorough research will help provide the student with both the arguments and the supporting evidence for those arguments.

Knowing how to research well is a skill that is too complex to cover in detail here. Fortunately, this site also has a detailed article on Top Research Strategies to help.

There are slight variations in the structure of debate speeches depending on when the speech is scheduled in the debate order. But, the structure and strategies outlined below are broadly applicable and will help students write and deliver persuasive debate speeches.

The Debate Introduction

As with many types of text , the purpose of the introduction in a debate speech is to do several things: grab the attention of the audience, introduce the topic, provide a thesis statement, and preview some of the main arguments.

1. The Attention Grabber

Securing the attention of the audience is crucial. Failure to do this will have a strong, negative impact on how the team’s efforts will be scored as a whole.

There are several tried and tested methods of doing this. Three of the main attention grabbers that work well are:

a.) Quotation From a Well-Known Person

Using a quotation from a well-known person is a great way to draw eyeballs and ears in the speaker’s direction. People love celebrities, even if that celebrity is relatively minor. 

Quotes from reputable individuals add credibility and authority to your arguments, as they demonstrate that influential figures endorse your viewpoint. They provide a concise and impactful way to convey complex ideas or express a widely accepted perspective. Quotations can resonate with the audience, evoke emotions, and make your speech more memorable. By referencing respected individuals, you tap into their expertise and reputation, lending support to your position and increasing the persuasive impact of your debate speech.

Using a quotation to open a speech lends authority to what is being said. As well as that, usually, the quotation chosen will be worded concisely and interestingly, making it all the more memorable and impactful for the audience.

b.) Statistics

Numbers can be very convincing. There’s just something about quantifiable things that persuades people. Perhaps it’s because numbers help us to pin down abstract ideas and arguments.

By using numbers, facts, and figures, students can present objective evidence that reinforces the validity of their arguments. Additionally, statistics enhance critical thinking skills by promoting data analysis and interpretation. For teachers, encouraging students to utilize statistics fosters research skills, data literacy, and an understanding of the importance of evidence-based reasoning.

The challenge here is for the speaker to successfully extract meaning from the data in such a way as to bolster the force of their argument.

c.) The Anecdote

Anecdotes can be a valuable way to ease the audience into a complex topic. Anecdotes are essentially stories and can be used to make complicated moral or ethical dilemmas more relatable for an audience.

Anecdotes are also an effective way for the speaker to build a rapport with the audience, which, in turn, makes the task of persuading them an easier one.

2. Introduce the Topic

Once the audience’s attention has been firmly grasped, it’s time to introduce the topic or the motion. This should be done in a very straightforward and transparent manner to ensure the audience understands the topic of the debate.

For example, if the topic of the debate was school uniforms, the topic may be introduced with:

“Today, we will debate whether school uniforms should be compulsory for all high school students.”

3. Provide the Thesis Statement

The thesis statement should express the student’s or the team’s position on the motion. That is, the thesis statement explains the speaker’s side of the debate.

A thesis statement is a succinct declaration that encapsulates the main point or argument of an essay, research paper, or other written work. It presents a clear and specific stance on a topic, guiding the reader on what to expect in the subsequent content. A well-crafted thesis statement should be debatable, meaning there should be room for opposing viewpoints and discussion. It serves as a roadmap for the writer, ensuring coherence and focus throughout the piece, and helps the reader understand the purpose and direction of the work from the outset.

This statement can come directly after introducing the topic, for example:

“Today, we will debate whether school uniforms should be compulsory for all high school students. This house believes (or, I believe …) that school uniforms should not be compulsory for high school students.”

4. Preview the Arguments

The final part of the introduction section of a debate speech involves previewing the main points of the speech for the audience.

There is no need to go into detail with each argument here; that’s what the body of the speech is for. It is enough to provide a general thesis statement for each argument or ‘claims’ – (more on this to follow).

Previewing the arguments in a speech is especially important as the audience and judges only get one listen to a speech – unlike a text which can be reread as frequently as the reader likes.

Examples of strong opening statements for a debate

  Practice Activity

After explaining the different types of attention grabbers and the format for the rest of the introduction to your students, challenge them to write an example of each type of opening for a specific debate topic. 

When they’ve finished writing these speech openings, discuss with the students which of these openings works best with their chosen topic. They can then continue by completing the rest of the introduction for their speech using the format as described above.

Some suggested debate topics you might like to use with your class include:

  • Homework should be banned
  • National public service should be mandatory for every citizen
  • The sale of human organs should be legalized
  • Artificial intelligence is a threat to humanity
  • Bottled water should be banned.

The Body of the Speech

The body paragraphs are the real meat of the speech. They contain the in-depth arguments that make up the substance of the debate. 

How well these arguments are made will determine how the judges will assess each speaker’s performance, so it’s essential to get the structure of these arguments just right.

Let’s take a look at how to do that.

The Structure of an Argument

With the introduction out of the way, it’s time for the student to get down to the nitty-gritty of the debate – that is, making compelling arguments to support their case.

There are three main aspects to an argument in a debate speech. They are:

1. The Claim

2. The Warrant

3. The Impact

The first part of an argument is referred to as the claim. This is the assertion that the argument is attempting to prove. 

The warrant is the evidence or reasoning used to verify or support that claim.

Finally, the impact describes why the claim is significant. It’s the part of the argument that deals with why it matters in the first place and what further conclusions we can draw from the fact that the claim is true.

Following this structure carefully enables our students to build coherent and robust arguments.

Practice Activity

Present your students with a topic and, as a class, brainstorm some arguments for and against the motion.

Then, ask students to choose one argument and, using the Claim-Warrant-Impact format, take a few moments to write down a well-structured argument that’s up to debate standard.

Students can then present their arguments to the class. 

Or, you could also divide the class along pro/con lines and host a mini-debate!

The Conclusion

This speech section provides the speaker with one last opportunity to deliver their message.

In a timed formal debate, the conclusion also allows the speaker to show the judges that they can speak within the set time while still covering all their material.

As with conclusions in general, the conclusion of a debate speech provides an opportunity to refer back to the introduction and restate the central position. 

At this point, it can be a good idea to summarize the arguments before ending with a powerful image that leaves a lasting impression on the audience and judges.

The Burden of the Rejoinder

In formal debates, the burden of the rejoinder means that any time an opponent makes a point for their side, it’s incumbent upon the student/team to address that point directly.

Failing to do so will automatically be seen as accepting the truth of the point made by the opponent.

For example, if the opposing side argues that all grass is pink, despite how ridiculous that statement is, failing to refute that point directly means that, for the debate, all grass is pink.

Our students must understand the burden of the rejoinder and ensure that any points the opposing team makes are fully addressed during the debate.

Examples of a strong debate Conclusion

When preparing to write their speech, students should spend a significant proportion of their team collaborating as a team. 

One good way to practice the burden of the rejoinder concept is to use the concept of Devil’s Advocate, whereby one team member acts as a member of the opposing team, posing arguments from the other side for the speaker to counter, sharpening up their refutation skills in the process.

20 Great Debating Topics for Students

  • Should cell phones be allowed in schools?
  • Is climate change primarily caused by human activities?
  • Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
  • Is social media more harmful than beneficial to society?
  • Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be embraced or rejected?
  • Is the death penalty an effective crime deterrent?
  • Should schools implement mandatory drug testing for students?
  • Is animal testing necessary for scientific and medical advancements?
  • Should school uniforms be mandatory?
  • Is censorship justified in certain circumstances?
  • Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
  • Is homeschooling more beneficial than traditional schooling?
  • Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
  • Is nuclear energy a viable solution to the world’s energy needs?
  • Should the government regulate the fast food industry?
  • Is social inequality a result of systemic factors or individual choices?
  • Should the consumption of meat be reduced for environmental reasons?
  • Is online learning more effective than traditional classroom learning?
  • Should the use of drones in warfare be banned?
  • Is the legalization of marijuana beneficial for society?

These topics cover a range of subjects and offer students the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking debates on relevant and impactful issues.

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Debate: the keys to victory.

Research and preparation are essential to ensure good performance in a debate. Students should spend as much time as possible drafting and redrafting their speeches to maximize their chances of winning. However, a debate is a dynamic activity, and victory cannot be assured by pre-writing alone.

Students must understand that the key to securing victory lies in also being able to think, write (often in the form of notes), and respond instantly amid the turmoil of the verbal battle. To do this, students must understand the following keys to victory.

When we think of winning a debate, we often think of blinding the enemy with the brilliance of our verbal eloquence. We think of impressing the audience and the judges alike with our outstanding oratory.

What we don’t often picture when we imagine what a debate winner looks like is a quiet figure sitting and listening intently. But being a good listener is one of our students’ most critical debating skills.

If students don’t listen to the other side, whether by researching opposing arguments or during the thrust of the actual debate, they won’t know the arguments the other side is making. Without this knowledge, they cannot effectively refute the opposition’s claims.

Read the Audience

In terms of the writing that happens before the debate takes place, this means knowing your audience. 

Students should learn that how they present their arguments may change according to the demographics of the audience and/or judges to whom they will be making their speech. 

An audience of retired school teachers and an audience of teen students may have very different responses to the same arguments.

This applies during the actual debate itself too. If the student making their speech reads resistance in the faces of the listeners, they should be prepared to adapt their approach accordingly in mid-speech.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The student must practice their speech before the debate. There’s no need to learn it entirely by heart. There isn’t usually an expectation to memorize a speech entirely, and doing so can lead to the speaker losing some of their spontaneity and power in their delivery. At the same time, students shouldn’t spend the whole speech bent over a sheet of paper reading word by word.

Ideally, students should familiarize themselves with the content and be prepared to deliver their speech using flashcards as prompts when necessary.

Another important element for students to focus on when practising their speech is making their body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures coherent with the verbal content of their speech. One excellent way to achieve this is for the student to practice delivering their speech in a mirror.

And Finally…

Debating is a lot of fun to teach and partake in, but it also offers students a valuable opportunity to pick up some powerful life skills.

It helps students develop a knack for distinguishing fact from opinion and an ability to assess whether a source is credible or not. It also helps to encourage them to think about the other side of the argument. 

Debating helps our students understand others, even when disagreeing with them. An important skill in these challenging times, without a doubt.

5 Tips for Teachers looking to run a successful classroom debate

  • Clearly Define Debate Roles and Structure when running speech and debate events: Clearly define the roles of speakers, timekeepers, moderators, and audience members. Establish a structured format with specific time limits for speeches, rebuttals, and audience participation. This ensures a well-organized and engaging debate.
  • Provide Topic Selection and Preparation Time: Offer students a range of debate topics, allowing them to select a subject they are passionate about. Allocate ample time for research and preparation, encouraging students to gather evidence, develop strong arguments, and anticipate counterarguments.
  • Incorporate Scaffolded Debating Skills Practice: Before the actual debate, engage students in scaffolded activities that build their debating skills. This can include small group discussions, mock debates, or persuasive writing exercises. Provide feedback and guidance to help students refine their arguments and delivery.
  • Encourage Active Listening and Note-taking during speech and debate competitions: Emphasize the importance of active listening during the debate. Encourage students to take notes on key points, supporting evidence, and persuasive techniques used by speakers. This cultivates critical thinking skills and prepares them for thoughtful responses during rebuttals.
  • Facilitate Post-Debate Reflection and Discussion: After the debate, facilitate a reflection session where students can share their thoughts, lessons learned, and insights gained. Encourage them to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and engage in constructive dialogue. This promotes metacognitive skills and encourages continuous improvement.

By following these tips, teachers can create a vibrant and educational debate experience for their students. Through structured preparation, active engagement, and reflective discussions, students develop valuable literacy and critical thinking skills that extend beyond the boundaries of the debate itself.

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The content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh.  A former principal of an international school and English university lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience. Shane’s latest Book, The Complete Guide to Nonfiction Writing , can be found here.  Editing and support for this article have been provided by the literacyideas team.

Debate Writing

Cathy A.

Debate Writing - A Comprehensive Writing Guide

14 min read

Published on: Jan 17, 2019

Last updated on: Nov 15, 2023

debate writing

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Interesting Debate Topics and Ideas for Students

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

Types of Debate - A Complete Overview & Examples

Free Debate Examples for All Academic Levels

Best Debate Tips for Students

Advanced Debating Techniques for Students

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Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words when it comes to articulating your thoughts in a debate?

The inability to formulate your thoughts in a debate can be a significant obstacle, hindering your ability to express yourself effectively. But don’t worry!

If you’re someone who’s wandering around trying to find the secrets to craft an outstanding debate speech, we’ve got your back.

In this blog, we’ll introduce you to debate writing, types, format, some tips, and debate examples, so you can understand how to pen down the perfect debate.

Let’s get going!

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What is Debate Writing?

A debate is a formal contest of argumentation where two opposing teams defend and attack a given resolution. Similarly, it is also a persuasive manner of speaking to convert one’s opinion into your viewpoint.

Here, the speaker either speaks for or against a particular topic being discussed. Moreover, it is the process of preparing and writing the debate before its formal presentation.

Features of Debate Writing

The following are the main features of debate writing.

  • Informative -  A good debate must provide complete information and facts. It is supposed to inform and educate people with the help of logical reasoning.
  • Well-reasoned - The arguments discussed in a debate must be logical, relevant, competent, and well-explained.
  • Persuasive -  A debate must emphasize strong arguments to convince the people.
  • Orderly -  A debate must present the facts in a structured and organized form. It should also follow a specific format.
  • Dynamic -  In a debate, two teams present opposing arguments. Similarly, all the important points must be questioned and answered by each team member.

Types of Debate

The following is a detailed description of common debating types that are practiced on various occasions. 

  • Team Policy Debate -  It consists of two teams, each with two debaters. The main aim is to present a huge amount of data coherently.
  • Cross-examination Debate -  It is considered a period between speeches. Here, the opponents ask each other to clarify and understand the points based on evidence.
  • Lincoln-Douglas Debate - It is a one-on-one and an open-style debate. Here, the debaters focus on arguing for or against a topic persuasively and logically.
  • Spontaneous Argumentation - Includes two teams that argue on a specific idea, but it does not require much research work. Similarly, this debate focuses more on presentation than content.
  • Public Forum Debate -  It includes arguments on controversial topics. Moreover, these are used to test the argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation skills of the debaters.
  • Parliamentary Debate - It consists of two teams, one called the government and the other called the opposition team. The Government team proposes a motion, and the Opposition team argues against it.

If you want to learn more about the different debating types, head to over comprehensive blog on types of debates.

Debate Writing Format

The debate writing for middle or high school follows the same format structure. Here, we have mentioned a detailed format for you to get an idea of the parts of a debate.

Check out the given debate writing template to get help with structuring your debate.

Debate Writing Template

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How to Start a Debate?

When starting the debate writing process, the question “ How to write a debate introduction?… ” could come off as a daunting one, but don’t worry.

Here are some easy steps for you to write a compelling debate introduction.

speech examples

1. Impressive greeting and strong opening sentence:

Greet your audience with enthusiasm, capturing their attention with a compelling opening statement that sets the tone for your debate.

2. Tell a personal story:

Connect emotionally by sharing a relevant personal anecdote that humanizes the topic, making it relatable and engaging.

3. State an amazing Fact:

Introduce a surprising or impressive fact related to your debate topic to pique interest and establish credibility.

4. Use a powerful quotation:

Incorporate a thought-provoking quote that aligns with your argument, adding depth and authority to your speech.

5. Ask a rhetorical question:

Pose a rhetorical question to stimulate critical thinking among your audience, encouraging them to ponder the issue at hand.

6. State a problem:

Clearly articulate the problem or challenge associated with your debate topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.

7. Share your opinion about the topic:

Express your stance on the matter, providing a concise preview of your argument and setting the stage for the forthcoming points in your debate speech.

How to Write a Debate?

Following are the steps you can stick to for writing a debate speech that lets you stand out from the competition:  

1. Understand the Debate

The first of many steps in debate writing is understanding its nature. Here, both teams will be given a topic, and they will choose an affirmative or negative stance.

2. Research the Topic Thoroughly

Brainstorm and research the topic thoroughly to understand all the aspects of the debate. Make a list of critical points and use credible sources to cover them in your key arguments.

3. Develop a Debate Outline

Develop a basic debate speech outline that consists of three main sections. It includes an introduction, body, and conclusion that are discussed below in detail.

It is the first section of the outline that includes an attention grabber. Introduce your topic and present the context with the help of a  thesis statement . Also, provide a brief overview of the students’ arguments to understand the direction of the debate.

It is the main section of the debate that discusses the key arguments in detail. Moreover, it further includes logical reasoning and evidence to support the thesis.

The conclusion is the last chance to demonstrate significant ideas. It summarizes the main body by adding emotion and drama to the words and includes a strong closing sentence.

4. Writing the Debate

Start writing the final draft of your debate. Mention the crucial elements of persuasion, which are ethos, pathos, and logos. These are used to explain the effects of the resolution in the real world.

Also, use transition words to maintain a logical flow between paragraphs. Lastly, edit and proofread your work to avoid plagiarism, grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Here is a great example of a well-written debate introduction:

If you’re thinking, “ How to write a debate greeting? ”, take a thorough look at the detailed steps below: 

If you have the question, “ How to write a debate against the motion? ” in mind, look at this step-by-step procedure below:

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How to End the Debate?

End the debate by making sure that you have included the following elements. It will help you assess the credibility of your debate.

  • Does your debate start with an interesting greeting?
  • Does it provide original content, personal experience, and a call to action?
  • Does the debate follow a proper format structure?
  • Does it include the correct sentence structure?
  • Does it maintain logical transitions to flow ideas from one paragraph to another?
  • Have you proofread or revised it for common mistakes such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
  • Does the debate mention your opinion about the given topic?
  • Does the debate end with a powerful conclusion sentence to leave a lasting impact on the audience?

Debate Writing Tips and Tricks

Here are some amazing debate tips and tricks for you to write a perfect debate:

  • It is better to know and prepare for a debate before starting it
  • Conduct thorough research work to collect relevant data and draft creative arguments about the topic
  • A writer should think relatively to identify the validity of significant claims
  • Try to understand the formal debate through a variety of personal experiences
  • Support the arguments with examples and evidence to make them more credible and authentic
  • Also, consider the perspective of the judges and audience while making a critical argument
  • Always structure your speech while keeping the time limits in mind
  • Do not always disagree with the opponent’s arguments. Instead, you should take notes and think logically
  • Build your case by keeping in mind all the possible objections that others can raise
  • Never make the mistake of introducing new arguments in your closing section

Advanced Techniques for Debate Writing 

Below are some easy  debating techniques  to write a primary and high school debate.

  • Introduce the topic at the beginning of the debate and form an opinion about it.
  • Know your audience to adjust your argument according to them.
  • Assign the two sides as affirmatives and negatives.
  • Take enough time to research the case and the vocabulary used for it.
  • Organize your opinion and present supporting facts to persuade the audience.
  • Follow a basic debate structure that includes the following period.
  • Get an idea about the opponent’s arguments and advance your research by weakening them.
  • Make a judgment based on the audience’s votes and your opinion about the arguments.
  • Connect to the audience emotionally by presenting examples, evidence, and personal experiences.
  • Incorporate simple, well-timed humor to engage and emphasize your argument effectively

Debate Writing Examples

Check out the following examples of debate writing to get a better idea of the concept.

Debate Example for Ks2

Debate Writing Class 6

Debate Writing Class 7

Debate Writing Class 8

Debate Writing Class 9

Debate Writing Class 11 PDF

Debate Writing Class 12

Debate Writing Example on Online Classes

If you want inspiration from more examples on various debate topics, visit our comprehensive debate examples blog!

Debate Writing Topics for Students 

The following are some impressive debate writing prompts for students to get started.

  • All schools should conduct compulsory drug testing on their students
  • Middle and high schools must ban sex education
  • Is it ethical to move in before getting married?
  • Academic institutes should ban smoking on college premises
  • Peer pressure is harmful to students
  • High schools should provide daycare services to students who have children
  • The government should develop nuclear energy for commercial use
  • Celebrities can get away with crime more easily than non-celebrities
  • Cell phones should not be used in classrooms
  • Money motivates people more than any other factor in the workplace

Head over to our list of debate topics to choose from a wide range of unique debate writing ideas.

To sum it up,  This comprehensive guide to debate writing will help you write a perfect one for your high school or college. We’ve covered all the essential details one would need to craft a winning debate.

However, if you think that you could use a helping hand to perfect your debate writing game, we’ve got you covered. 

You can get help from our speech writing service to solve your debate writing worries. Our writing experts will deliver you comprehensive and well-composed debates at rates that won’t break the bank. 

Simply reach out to our reliable essay writing service , and we’ll take care of all your writing-related problems. 

Cathy A. (Literature, Marketing)

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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Debate — Questions, Structure, and Topics

Daniel Bal

What is a debate?

A debate is a form of public discourse that presents organized arguments by two opposing sides. In a typical debate, two sides (affirmative and negative) are given a proposition to debate using a structured format that differs based on the type.

format for writing a debate speech

The affirmative side advocates for the proposition, providing supporting evidence and explanation, while the opposing side refutes the resolution. Therefore, the affirmative wants to convince the audience to adopt the resolution, while the opposition side wants them to reject it.

What is a debate?

The audience varies depending on the topic of the debate. Consider the following examples:

Political: Voters

Policy: Lawmakers

Trial: Jury

Public Debate/Forum: Community members

Debate questions

The basis of a debate stems from the resolution, a declarative statement determined by a question. The resolution contains the claim the two sides will debate. These statements derive from debate questions:

Structure for debate

The specific structure depends on the form of debate. However, every formal debate contains a judge, opposing sides, speeches, and a decision.

Debates are set up to persuade a panel of judges rather than the opponent.

There are always two sides in a debate – one that agrees with the resolution (affirming) and one that disagrees (opposing).

Each debate includes rounds of speeches that present the side’s argument. The placement of the speech in the debate impacts its purpose.

Structure of debate

The constructive speech is each team’s first speech to build their case.

Rebuttals provide the opportunity for both sides to discredit their opponent’s argument.

Cross-examination allows each side to question the other side.

The period where speakers from both sides can ask and answer each other’s questions is called crossfire . The grand crossfire functions in the same way, except all four speakers participate.

Closing statements offer each side a final opportunity to present their argument.

Upon conclusion of the debate, the judge(s) or moderator decides the winning side.

Types of debates

Team policy, Lincoln-Douglas, spontaneous argumentation, public forum, and parliamentary are the most common types of debates.

Team policy debates consist of two teams of two who take a position concerning a predetermined policy. One team argues to enact the policy while the opposing team members offer reasons to reject it.

Team policy debates

Policy debates are structured as follows:

Lincoln-Douglas debates consist of one speaker debating against another speaker and are a common form of high school debates. The topic typically concerns social and philosophical issues with questions concerning ideas such as morality, justice, democracy, etc. They focus on determining if certain thoughts or actions are good or bad, right or wrong, and moral or immoral. Presidential debates typically look most like Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Spontaneous argumentation (SPAR) is a quick and simple type of debate. It typically involves two debaters given a topic right before the debate, allowing only a few minutes for preparation.

Spontaneous argumentation debate

Public forum debates feature two teams with two speakers each who debate a topic regarding a current event.

A parliamentary debate includes two teams with two speakers each. The affirmative team is often referred to as the government and is trying to uphold the resolution, whereas the negative team (the opposition) opposes the government’s viewpoint. The government identifies a problem and offers a solution, while the opposition argues against that solution. The rules for this type of debate originated from British parliamentary procedure.

Parliamentary debate

Debating tips

When debating, the following strategies can positively affect the outcome:

While some debate formats allow for a limited amount of preparation time, utilize the time provided. It is best to take as much time as possible to formulate an argument. Going into a debate unprepared not only impacts the argument but can negatively influence body language, eye contact, volume, pacing, etc.

Focus and stay on topic. Make sure each sentence has a purpose and supports the argument.

Use good public speaking skills like appropriate eye contact, volume, pacing, intonation, inflection, posture, etc., which show the speaker’s confidence. Sometimes the presentation can be as important as what is presented.

Debates provide speakers with the opportunity to respond to their opponent’s argument. Focus on actively listening to the opposing side. While it is possible to predict their argument, providing a direct response to something they said is much more persuasive than moving forward as if there is no opposing side.

The point of a debate is to attack the argument , not the opponent.

Debating tips

Debate topics

The following are example topics for each main type of debate:

Team Policy Debate

The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of its water resources.

The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.

New York should offer universal healthcare to its residents.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

In a democracy, a free press ought to prioritize objectivity over advocacy.

Radicalism is preferable to incrementalism to achieve social justice.

Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.

The actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals.

Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR)

Lying is sometimes justified.

High schools should require uniforms.

Voting is a duty and not a right.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Money can buy happiness.

Public Forum Debate

Japan should revise Article 9 of its Constitution to develop offensive military capabilities.

The United States should establish a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan.

Parliamentary Debate

In the US criminal justice system, truth-seeking ought to be valued above attorney-client privilege.

Chain stores are detrimental to the best interests of the American public.

The United States Senate should eliminate the filibuster.

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How to dispute an uber fare, 3 ways to spot a fake mac cosmetics product, 7 ways to adjust hues in adobe photoshop cs4, 3 ways to do your own tarot reading, how to start an awareness campaign, how to make soft bread, 13 easy ways to meet girls outside of school, 4 simple ways to prevent boots from creasing, how to knit a baby jumper, how to write a debate speech: 10 steps.

format for writing a debate speech

A well-crafted debate speech can effectively persuade an audience and make a lasting impact. By following these ten steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a powerful and engaging debate speech.

1. Understand the topic: Begin by thoroughly researching the topic of debate. Understand various viewpoints, facts, and statistics to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Familiarize yourself with common arguments for and against the issue.

2. Analyze your audience: Before crafting your speech, spend some time considering who your audience is. What do they already know about the issue? What are their concerns, values, or interests? Tailor your speech to resonate with them.

3. Define your position : Clearly state your stance on the issue at hand. Your position should be strong, specific, and concise – bold statements will keep your audience engaged in the debate.

4. Develop your main arguments: Identify 2-3 compelling arguments supporting your position. These should form the backbone of your debate speech. Be sure to provide evidence, examples, or anecdotes that support each argument.

5. Prepare counterarguments: Anticipate objections from opponents and address these in your speech. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints and providing a persuasive rebuttal, you’ll strengthen your overall argument.

6. Organize your speech: Structure is crucial in presenting an effective debate speech. Begin with a captivating introduction that grabs the attention of the audience, followed by a clear thesis statement outlining your key points. Present each argument (along with its evidence) as separate supporting points before addressing counterarguments.

7. Maintain logic and consistency: Ensure that all elements of your speech are logically connected and coherently presented throughout. Avoid contradicting yourself or presenting irrelevant information.

8. Use persuasive language techniques: Employ rhetorical devices like metaphors, analogies, or hyperbole to enhance the impact of your arguments. Encourage emotional responses from your audience by appealing to values, beliefs, or fears.

9. Write an engaging conclusion: Wrap up your speech by summarizing your main arguments and highlighting their significance. End on a strong note that encourages action or emphasizes the importance of the issue.

10. Practice, practice, practice:   Finally, rehearse your speech multiple times to perfect your delivery. This will not only boost your confidence but also help you identify any errors or areas of the speech that need improvement.

By following these ten steps, you’ll be well on your way to writing a persuasive and memorable debate speech that effectively communicates your position and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

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How to Perform Well in a Debate

Last Updated: January 11, 2024 Fact Checked

Expert Q&A

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,019,475 times.

People may come up with the most stunning content for their argument, but the fact is that in most cases, nearly one-third of the marking criteria goes to your delivery of the material. While speaking passionately about poorly researched work probably won't win you a debate, marrying factual evidence with emotional conviction will. No matter how analytical and academic a debate is, your presentation will have a definite effect on your adjudicator, as well as your audience. In a tight match, your win may rest on the drama of your performance.

Step 1 Discover how to persuade through Invention.

  • You'll need to have an understanding of your audience's desires and needs, as well as how to best appeal to them.
  • When appealing to your audience, think about a balance of logos, ethos, and pathos. [2] X Research source These three modes of persuasion will be used to convince your audience to believe in your argument. Each will provoke a different reaction from a crowd, and you must change your approach to adapt to the needs of your audience.
  • A more logical approach, resting mainly on logos, might be appropriate when your audience wants factual evidence of how you'll improve their dire circumstances.
  • When trying to keep an even tone and seem unbiased, employ more ethos in your speech. This is good for a more formal audience, but one that you still need to empathize with you, or the situation that you're being faced with.
  • Pathos has the potential to become manipulative in the wrong occasion, but when done right, you can inspire particular strong emotions within your audience. These emotions have the power to drastically change the course of your speech.
  • Mastering the art of rhetoric will ensure that your prepared speech is as strong as possible. This will booster your ability to perform this argument.

Step 2 Assemble your argument with Arrangement.

  • Introduction. Express your message and why it's important to your audience, as well as yourself.
  • Statement of fact. Break down the general thesis of your argument into smaller parts. This is where you name reasons why the current issue exists.
  • Confirmation, or proof. Craft your main argument here, as well as reasons why your argument is a successful one.
  • Refutation. Acknowledge your opposition, giving some credence to their argument, before challenging their point-of-view.
  • Conclusion. Wrap up your main points of your argument and give instructions on what you want your audience to do or think.

Step 3 Express your argument as you improve your Style.

  • You should also adjust your style to fit your audience. Make sure you express your ideas in a way that aligns with the moral and intellectual level of your audience.
  • You can make active use of various linguistic tropes when arranging your arguments. Also known as "figures of speech," these tropes are tried and true methods in composing a sleek and compelling argument.
  • Antithesis will help you contrast ideas and phrases, as will skillful juxtaposition. Metaphor and simile are both nice ways to equate one idea to another. Any of these tropes will add spice to your writing.

Step 4 Speak without paper by committing your speech to Memory.

  • It's worth noting that certain aspects of your debate will have to be performed on the fly. By memorizing the facts of your topic, however, you'll be able to recount these facts organically. This will help you grow more confident in improvising your speech.

Step 5 Amplify your performance techniques, highlighting your Delivery.

  • Delivery will also vary to fit your audience. When speaking to a smaller audience, you can make more eye contact, speak more directly to those listening to you. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," for example, were radio broadcasts intended to feel intimate for everyone listening in. His larger speeches, in contrast, felt more immediate and righteous, fitting the more massive scope of their subject matter.

Step 1 Eliminate filler words.

  • The "uh" sound usually takes less time to overcome in speech. It suggests that you've just finished one point, and you're taking a moment to move onto the next.
  • Your "um" sounds can be far more dangerous, as they suggest that you may be searching for completely unfamiliar information. You'll want to eliminate both from your speech patterns in formal debate, however, as both suggest a stalling in your thought process.
  • Try replacing your filler sounds with silence. This will give your audience time to stew on your last point, and it will also give you time to generate your stimulus for your next idea.
  • Remember that everyone needs time to process before moving to their next sentence. You aren't eliminating this thought process. You are, however, making it appear that you are thinking less than you actually are.

Step 2 Find synonyms for overused language.

  • When your work is highly researched, it runs the risk of becoming pedantic. If you're simply regurgitating facts from academia, your rhetoric can quickly become dull and overly intellectual. Look out for words such as "capitalist" or "dichotomy." These sorts of words, while thick with various meanings, have been dulled by overuse in the past few years.

Step 3 Speak slowly and enunciate.

  • It's much easier to enunciate if you slow down the pace of your speech. You may be able to get through a larger quantity of points, but it's unlikely that all of them will be heard.
  • Try the "pencil-in-mouth" drill if you want to improve your articulation. Stick a pencil in your mouth, parallel to your forehead, and practice your speech while holding it in place. You'll have to verbalize around this obstacle in your mouth, working harder to enunciate your syllables.
  • When you remove the pencil, you'll find that your speech is far clearer. Keep that same level of enunciation when you're performing. When you blend enunciation with a slower manner of speech, it'll be easier for others to dissect your points.

Step 4 Invent your rebuttals calmly.

  • Boil your arguments into more specific points, mentally, before launching in. You won't win this portion of your debate by scattering new ideas into the air at the last moment.
  • Sum up your argument into one or two sentences. You'll obviously be extrapolating on these points, but it'll help you to have a logical home base to return to.
  • Focus on what you know you've done successfully. Don't be hard on yourself for taking the "path of least resistance" when going for the win.

Step 1 Consolidate your movement.

  • You generally have a large stage to inhabit while debating. Occupy this space fully. You don't want to be pacing nervously, but you do want to ensure that you look comfortable speaking in front of others.
  • Don't rely on gesture as a nervous tick. If you're releasing anxiety through gesture, then your gestures will not be strong. Instead, they'll add unnecessary motion, distracting from your speech.

Step 2 Establish eye contact.

  • After you make eye contact with one person in the audience, deliver your next line or phrase to the next person. This way, you'll connect with a larger number of people in a one-on-one way.
  • You can also use eye contact to silence a distracting presence in your audience. If someone isn't paying attention to you, then a prolonged stare will make them feel uncomfortable. The hope, then, is that they'll quiet down, or at least attempt to be less distracting.

Step 3 Diversify your tone.

  • If you're speaking about grisly, violent details, you'll want to adapt a tone of disgust. When slipping in a mild joke or self-aware remark, a humorous or light-hearted tone can be very effective.
  • Above all, your tone should always have some level of urgency. This proves that you aren't avoiding the importance of the topic at hand. Diversifying your tone is very important, but you never want to forget the core of your speech.

Step 4 Master the dramatic pause.

  • When done poorly, these major pauses can really tank an argument. Make sure that you've built up to this pause with a great deal of momentum. That way, your silence will be earned.
  • Pauses can range in their use, from dividing major points in a paragraph to allowing you to get a drink of water. Make sure that you're losing your pauses appropriately, as you don't want to break your focus with too much regularity.

Step 5 Close your debate with passion.

  • Often referred to as a "final blast," your closing remark takes familiar points from your speech and amplifies them with a final appeal to your audience.
  • You can achieve this with a heightened tone of voice, or you can allow your speech to move a bit quicker than it normally would. Poking small holes in your composure will amplify your power as an orator, and this last effort may be crucial in solidifying a win.

Lynn Kirkham

  • Make your arguments more convincing with eye contact, strong body posture, pauses, a sense of certainty in your speech, clearness, and conciseness. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
  • Don't be afraid if you just said something wrong. Clarify it while keeping calm. Being confident at all turns is key. Confidence can lead you anywhere. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Just remember that the content and accuracy of your argument will still be what the adjudicator will be marking primarily upon. You want to perform well and naturally, but you don't want to invent. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

  • If you forget your point, simply make something relevant up on the fly to cover the hesitation. Hesitating can give the other side an edge.
  • Use examples, illustrations, and gestures to explain your arguments vividly. It engages the audience more than plain speech.
  • Don't be nervous — take deep breaths and picture something calming like puppies cuddling. Stay confident.
  • Speak naturally and avoid artificial-sounding tone changes. Sincerity makes you more persuasive.
  • Keep calm eye contact with the judges and audience. It shows you're focused and self-assured.
  • Stick to the issue at hand. Don't drift or you'll weaken your argument. Stay concise.

format for writing a debate speech

You Might Also Like

Speak Well and Confidently

  • ↑ https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/215588515.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dreaming-freud/201705/six-ways-appeal-audience
  • ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
  • ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/08/how-to-stop-saying-um-ah-and-you-know
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/
  • ↑ https://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/cxCheshier0402.pdf
  • ↑ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/review-of-grit-the-power-of-passion-and-perseverance/

About This Article

Lynn Kirkham

To perform well in a debate, speak slowly and enunciate your words so your audience has more time to process all of the points you're making. You should also try to vary the tone of your voice while you’re speaking, which will make your speech more interesting and engaging. For example, if you're talking about a shocking statistic, use a tone of surprise to help get your point across. Additionally, maintain good eye contact with your audience and your adjudicator throughout the debate so they feel like you're speaking directly to them. When you're ready to end your debate, heighten your tone of voice and speak a little bit faster for your closing arguments to show that you're passionate about the topic. For more tips, like how to come up with a persuasive argument, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Complete Guide to Debating: How to Improve your Debating Skills

August 1, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

Debating can look intimidating from the sidelines, with speakers appearing confident, passionate and unwavering, but it consists of skills that anybody can learn. Debating may not be something that you encounter in your everyday work but these skills can be incredibly valuable. In this article we provide a guide to the basics of debating.

What is debating?

A debate is a structured contest over an issue or policy. There are two sides – one supporting, one opposing.

Benefits of debating include:

  • Allowing you to think about aspects and perspectives you may not have considered.
  • Encourages you to speak strategically.
  • Improving  public speaking skills .
  • Learning how to create a persuasive argument.
  • When you have to argue against your personal view you realise that there are two sides to the argument.

Debating examples

The U.K. Prime Minister, Theresa May, answers questions:

This example video shows Theresa May answering questions from MPs in the House of Commons. Notice her strong debating skills and how she answers difficult questions under pressure.

Watch the full video here:  Prime Minister’s Questions: 16 May 2018

Debate structure

There are multiple formats a debate can follow, this is a basic debate structure:

  • A topic is chosen for each debate – this is called a resolution or motion. It can be a statement, policy or idea. The motion is usually a policy which changes the current state of affairs or a statement which is either truth or false. The motion typically starts with “This House…”
  • The Affirmative team support the statement
  • The Negative team oppose the statement
  • Sometimes you will be asked to take a position in the debate but in other debates you will be allocated your position.
  • Teams are provided with time to prepare – usually one hour
  • Each speaker presents for a set amount of time
  • Speakers alternate between the teams, usually a speaker in the Affirmative team starts, followed by a Negative speaker, then the second Affirmative speaker presents, followed by the second Negative speaker etc.
  • The debate is then judged.
  • There may be an audience present but they are not involved in the debate

Once you have learned how to debate in one format you can easily switch to another.

Roles of the speakers

Each speaker must typically do the following:

First Affirmative

  • Contextualise the debate – clearly set out your team’s interpretation of the topic and the significant issues they disagree with.
  • Provide definitions if necessary.
  • Outline the team line and the team split – this is where you outline your team’s case and summarise the way your arguments have been divided between your speakers.
  • Provide 2-3 arguments supporting the motion.

First Negative

  • Clearly state your definition
  • Provide your arguments as to why this is the superior definition
  • Rebut the Affirmative’s arguments supporting their definition
  • Outline a team line and team split.
  • Rebut the arguments made by the First Affirmative.
  • Deliver 2-3 arguments against the motion.

Second Affirmative

  • If needed, resolve any definitional issues.
  • Rebut the First Negative’s arguments.
  • Deliver 2-3 arguments supporting the motion.

Second Negative

  • Rebut the arguments made by the Affirmative team up to this point, with a focus on the Second Affirmative’s arguments.

Third Affirmative

  • Rebut specific issues raised by Second Negative and defend any other important attacks on your team’s case.
  • Conclude your speech with a brief summary (1-2 minutes) of your team’s case. You should include the key issues which you and the Negative team disagreed on during this.
  • You can introduce new material but this is interpreted as poor team planning.

Third Negative

  • This is the same structure as the Third Affirmative.

There are many variations of the three against three debate, a commonly known one is Points of Information. This is used a lot in  university debates . During a speech the opposition is allowed to ask a question or make a point.

They stand up and say “point of information” or “on that point” etc. The speaker can choose to accept or reject the point. If accepted, the point of information can last around 15 seconds and the speaker can ask for it to stop at any time.

Debate definitions

Younger debaters tend to waste time defining terms so you must first decide whether you need to define a term. Ask yourself: will my speech be confusing if I don’t define this term? Could the opposition misinterpret what I mean without a definition? For example, the motion could be “we should ban plastic straws”. It’s clear what “plastic straws” are but what does “ban” mean?

Two factors which determine the definition of the debate:

1. Context  – what is happening in the area that relates to this issue? For example, maybe the government of a country is debating banning smoking in public buildings and you decide to define the term “passive smoking” during the debate. If a significant event related to the topic has occurred then it should be the focus of the debate, for instance, a shocking report may have recently been revealed in the media showing the widespread effects of second-hand smoking.

2. Spirit of the motion  – topics are chosen for a reason so what sort of debate was imagined when the topic was chosen? Looking at the spirit of the motion will ensure that you pick a definition that will produce a well-balanced and important debate.

If the topic is vague then you will have more choice of definitions. You have a duty to pick a clear definition and one that will create a good debate. If not, this may cause a definitional challenge which will ruin the debate and frustrate the judges.

For example, the topic may be “we spend too much money on the stars”. Stars can refer to celebrities or astronomy so you need to choose a definition.

  • Look at the context and see if there has been a recent significant event related to either topics – the media is the best place to look.
  • Then apply second test – which definition will lead to the best debate, which will be more interesting and debatable?

If one answer passes both tests then that’s your definition. If they tie then either is a good definition.

When providing your definition explain the context used to form the definition. This is important because your understanding of the context may be different from others due to various factors, such as, religion, culture, gender etc.

Learn more about using  AI to practice your debating skills .

Basic argument structure

There are various ways of dividing up cases according to groups of arguments, such as, social/economic/political etc. You could assign each speaker to handle a group.

Place the most important arguments first, for example, “The media has more influence on self-esteem than anybody else. This is true for three reasons. Firstly (most important argument)… Secondly…, Thirdly (least important argument)…”

To structure an argument follow these steps:

  • Claim  – present your argument in a clear statement. This claim is one reason why you’re in favour of/against the motion.
  • Evidence  – the evidence supporting your claim, such as, statistics, references, quotes, analogies etc.
  • Impact  – explain the significance of the evidence – how does this support your claim?

Arguments are weakest at the evidence stage as it’s easy to argue against, for example, the evidence may consist of isolated examples or there may be counter evidence. But it’s not a good technique because the opposition can provide more evidence or rebut your criticisms.

It’s difficult to rebut claims because they are usually reasonable but if you can attack a claim then that speaker’s whole argument falls apart. So if you think a claim is vulnerable then rebut it but you will need a strong explanation to show why it doesn’t matter.

European human rights debating

European  human rights debating  for sixth form students from across London.

There are common flaws you can look for to form a rebuttal:

1. False dichotomy  – this is where the speaker is trying to falsely divide the debate into two sides even though there are more alternatives than they state. It’s likely the speaker is doing this on purpose but in some cases they do not understand the debate.

2. Assertion  – this is when a speaker presents a statement which isn’t actually an argument because there is no reason to believe that the statement is valid. It may just be an assumption. You can point out that there has not been enough examination to prove this validity and then give a reason why the assertion is (probably) not valid.

3. Morally flawed  – arguments can be morally flawed, for example, “All criminals given a prison sentence should be given the death penalty instead, this will save the country money and space.” What has been argued is true but it’s clearly morally flawed.

4. Correlation rather than causation  – a speaker may suggest a link between two events and suggest one led to the other. But the speaker may not explain how one caused the other event which can make an argument invalid.

5. Failure to deliver promises  – sometimes a speaker might fail to complete a task they promised to deliver. For instance, they may state that they will provide evidence supporting a certain claim but they may lose track of what they have said and not actually do this.

6. Straw man  – the opposing team introduces an argument and then rebuts it. They may use an extreme example of your proposal or perhaps they were hoping that you would make this argument.

7. Contradiction  – an argument the other team presents may contradict one of their previous arguments. You must point out that the arguments cannot be true simultaneously and then explain how this reduces their case’s credibility.

8. Compare the conclusion to reality  – think “what would happen if what they (the other team) are suggesting is implemented right now?” This usually shows that it’s more complicated than they have suggested and the changes can cause secondary problems.

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Judges generally score the speakers looking at this criteria:

  • Content / Matter  – What the debaters say, their arguments and evidence, the relevance of their arguments.
  • Style / Manner  – How the debaters speak, including the language and tone used.
  • Strategy / Method  – The structure of the speech, the clarity and responding to other’s arguments.

Debating event at the Oxford Union

Debating event at  the Oxford Union

Important skills for debating

To meet the judges criteria you will have to develop certain skills, consider the following:

  • You points must be relevant to the topic.
  • Provide evidence whenever you can and not your personal opinion.
  • You must put aside your personal views and remain objective when you debate so your argument remains logical. You can be passionate about a topic but interest can turn into aggression and passion can turn into upset.
  • Consider the audience’s attention span – make it interesting, for example, don’t just present lots of complicated statistics.
  • Ethos – the ethical appeal
  • Pathos – the emotional appeal
  • Logos – the logical appeal
  • Use notes but keep them brief and well organised. Use a different piece of paper for rebuttals.
  • Similar to looking at conclusions to create rebuttals, think comparatively by asking yourself “How does my plan compare to what’s happening now/what would happen in the world if the other team won?” You can win the debate if you can make comparative claims about why your arguments matter more than the other team.
  • Only tell jokes if you’re naturally good at it otherwise this can backfire.
  • Flexibility is important because you might get allocated the side of the argument you don’t agree with. You’ll have to work hard to overcome your views. Also use this insight to think of the potential arguments you might make and then plan for counter arguments.
  • Speak clearly and concisely.
  • You must talk fast enough to have the time to deliver your speech but slow enough so you can be understood.
  • Project your voice to the back of the room.
  • Incorporate dramatic pauses.
  • Emphasise important words and vary your tone appropriately.
  • Have a relaxed pose and posture.
  • Avoid filler words.
  • Know your material.
  • Emphasise using gestures and avoid nervous gestures.
  • Maintain eye contact with the audience.
  • Keep your language simple to avoid confusion.
  • Refer to the opposite side as: “My opponent”.
  • When making a rebuttal say: “My opponent said…, however…”
  • Don’t exaggerate – avoid the words “never” or “always” etc.
  • Avoid saying that a speaker “is wrong”, instead say that “your idea is mistaken”.

What to avoid

  • Falsifying, making up or altering evidence.
  • Publicly disagreeing with the judges’ decision.
  • Attacking a speaker rather than an idea.
  • Acting aggressively or offensively towards debaters, judges, audience etc.
  • Interrupting other debaters as this can suggest that your argument isn’t very strong.
  • Disagreeing with facts or obvious truths.

British Parliamentary debating

British Parliamentary debating  is a popular form of debating so we will briefly explain it: There are four teams made up of two speakers each. Two teams are on the government’s side and the other two teams are the opposition but all the teams are trying to win rather than one side. The motion is given 15 minutes before the debate begins and teams are assigned to positions randomly. They alternate their speeches, with the government’s side starting. Speeches are usually 5-7 minutes.

The first two speakers on the government side are called the “opening government” and the first two speakers on the opposition’s side are called the “opening opposition”. The last two speakers on the government’s and opposition’s side are called the “closing government” and “closing opposition” correspondingly.

British MPs debate a petition seeking to ban Donald Trump from entering the U.K.

The speakers’ roles in the opening half of the debate are similar to the roles of the first and second speakers in the three against three debate described previously. The only difference is that the second opening government and second opening opposition speakers include summaries at the end of their speeches – this is because they will also be competing with the teams in the closing half of the debate.

The closing government and closing opposition aim to move the debate on but not contradict their side’s opening team. As well as rebuttal, the majority of the third speaker’s time consists of presenting either: new material, new arguments, a new analysis from a different perspective or extending previously presented arguments. This is called an “extension” which must be something that sets their team apart and makes them unique.

The last two speeches of the closing teams are summary speeches – they summarise the debate and disagreements between the team. Their most important goal is to explain why their side has won the debate. They are not allowed to present new arguments but they can present new evidence and rebuttal.

During the speeches points of information are offered regularly. Speakers should only accept a maximum of two points of information. The first and last minute is protected time where points of information cannot be offered.

Rather than a side trying to win, all the teams are trying to win – this allows different perspectives to be explored. The teams are then ranked 1st to 4th in the debate.

Debate topics

Almost anything can be debated, here are some popular topics – these have been written as questions but they can be easily adapted into statements:

  • Is animal experimentation justified?
  • Should we legalise the possession of cannabis for medicinal use?
  • Should we recognise Bitcoin as a legal currency?
  • Is torture acceptable when used for national security?
  • Should mobile phones be banned until a certain age?
  • Does technology make us more lonely?
  • Should guns be banned in the U.S.?
  • Should we make internet companies liable for illegal content shared on their platforms?
  • Will posting students’ grades publicly motivate them to perform better?
  • Should animals be used for scientific testing?
  • Do violent video games make people more violent?
  • Should the death penalty be stopped completely?
  • Should smoking in public places be completely banned?
  • Should doping be allowed in professional sports?
  • Should all zoos be closed?
  • Should consumers must take responsibility for the plastic waste crisis?
  • Is euthanasia justified?
  • Is the boarding school system beneficial to children?

Debate topics for children

If you’re trying to think of debate topics for a classroom, consider the following:

  • Should mobile phones be allowed at school?
  • Is global warming a problem?
  • Should violent video games be banned?
  • Is school detention beneficial?
  • Are celebrities good role models?
  • Does social networking have a beneficial effect on society?
  • Are single sex schools more effective than co-ed schools?
  • Do celebrities get away with more crime than non-celebrities?
  • Is cloning animals ethical?
  • Are humans to blame for certain animal extinctions?

Debating societies

If you’re interested in debating consider searching for a society or debating events near you:

  • Most universities have a debating society and their webpages usually contain lots of useful information and tips.
  • Toastmasters
  • Use Meetup to find debates close to you

Specific to the UK:

  • Sylvans Debating Club
  • The Association of Speakers Clubs

The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey

How to Create a Debate Speech

How to Write a Definition Speech

How to Write a Definition Speech

A debate is a formal, friendly competition between two people or two teams that take opposing sides on an issue -- a proposition side that is in favor of adopting a resolution and an opposition side that refutes the resolution. To craft a debate speech that grabs and holds the attention of the judges and audience, set the tone by using simple words precisely and accurately. Inaccurate word choice opens you up to attack from your opponents. Do not use casual, rude or offensive language.

Open the Debate

Introduce the topic in the first paragraph then make a statement that clearly and specifically identifies the team's position -- in favor or against the motion or issue under debate. Define and explain any complex scientific or technological terms or processes your audience needs to understand the topic before stating if you are for or against the resolution . For instance, if the debate is about a resolution to ban a specific environmental hazard such as shale oil drilling, explain the process of drilling through rock -- hydraulic fracturing known as fracking -- with a high-pressure mixture of chemicals and water to release resources of oil and gas

Present the Context

Explain the context -- the related circumstances and events in real life that relate to the topic. For example, if your team is against fracking, offer examples and statistics about groundwater contamination and earthquake events over time that scientists believe are related to shale drilling. The opposition could show how fracking decreases the country’s dependence on foreign energy products and helps stabilize the economy. To capture the emotional impact of the topic, tell an anecdote about someone who has personal experience with the topic or use a short famous quote, proverb, saying or poem and explain how it relates to the topic.

Provide an Overview

Make an attack that goes beyond a mere rebuttal of a particular point with an overview of the debate so far. The idea is to evaluate the arguments made by the opposing team and to point out any flaws in the general approach. For the fracking issue, you could point out that arguments about an environmental phenomenon should not be based primarily on an economic or foreign policy issues. The opposition could question the scientific evidence against fracking procedures or point out that the argument so far ignores some important factors such as the opportunity fracking offers to generate electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal.

Direct Audience Attention

Insert transition markers to keep the arguments in the middle of the speech from merging with each other. For example, instead of just saying “furthermore,” refer specifically to each point as either first, second or third point. For instance, you could say: “Now let us look at why the opposition’s first point concerning environmental contamination is flawed.” Use a signpost such as “For my first rebuttal, allow me to address the opposition’s second point about dependence on foreign oil.” Eliminate “deadwood” such as “as you may know, as I mentioned before, in the final analysis,” or "Ladies and Gentlemen." A short pause is more effective to help keep the audience’s attention.

Conclude with a Theme

Sum up the key points you have presented and if time permits what the other speakers have presented. Refer back to the introduction’s anecdote or use a quote that vividly conveys the theme of argument such as what attitudes toward fracking have to say about a future of economic stability or environmental devastation. Debate speeches often end with a flourish -- a showy, emotional or dramatic tone that conveys intensity of feeling.

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A native of New Orleans, Amanda Petrona holds a Bachelor of Science in anthropology/social psychology and Master of Arts in English. She taught writing, research and literature at LSU Baton Rouge. Petrona founded Wild Spirit Louisiana, an organic farm, nature conservatory, and education center for sustainable and holistic living.

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How to Write a Debate Speech in English | Format, and Examples

Every student has to write a debate at some point in school, college, or university and if you don’t know about the methods and steps to write a debate speech, you won’t write an effective debate speech to increase your chance of success. Following a proper structure and format in debate writing is essential for a good debate to convenience the audience. There are some tips and methods to write an effective debate speech and by setting a tone and correct words choice and sentences, you can grab the judge’s and the audience’s attention. So, are you searching for pro tips on how to write a debate speech in English? Let’s dive into this article and get complete knowledge about debate writing.

Before diving into the steps of debate writing, it’s necessary to understand debate speech definition and debate speech format.

Debate Speech Definition

A debate speech is a formal discussion on a specific topic between two opposing sides or groups. One side discusses in a favor of the given topic or title, while the other side speaks against it or disagrees with the first side. The main purpose of a debate speech is to convince the judges and audience that your opinion is right. In debate speech, you need to express your views in a specific format and make your opponents impress by good debate writing skills.

Debate Speech Format

You can follow the following pattern for a debate speech.

Opening Statements and Explanation

This section consists of the opening sentences by using three arguments with explaining questions.

  • Pro Tema – Up to 5 minutes
  • Con Team – Up to 2 minutes
  • Con Team – Up to 5 minutes
  • Pro Team – Up to 2 minutes

Rebuttals (No new Arguments Here)

In this section, the debaters repeat the deponent arguments and evaluate what is wrong with his/her position.

  • Pro Team – Up to 3 minutes
  • Con Team – Up to 3 minutes

Debate Summary

In the summary, debates summarize their positions after detailed arguments and discussions with the opponents. In addition, the debaters also say why their position is the best.

Finally, each group will be assumed to answer the questions up to 20 minutes long session. For instance, you can look at the following debate speech template to get an idea of the debate speech structure.

Debate Speech Format PDF

How to Write a Debate (6 Steps)

Structuring and writing your debate correctly will increase your chance of success. By following the 6 easy steps below will help you win the debate competition. Without further ado let’s dive into the following steps.

  • Begin With a Strong Opening Lines
  • Define the Topic
  • Signposting

Step #1: Begin With a Strong Opening Lines

Every good speech and discussion starts with a strong sentence. Remember the first impression is the last impression, hence start your debate with a strong opening line that can help you impress the audience and the judge immediately. For example, you can start your debate by asking an open-ended question, tell a story, state an amazing fact or say a powerful quotation.

Step #2: Define the Topic

When you started your debate with a strong sentence and catch the audience’s attention, in the next step you need to make the subject clear to your listeners. You need to state the topic and your group’s position on the topic to help the audience comprehend the side you are going to argue about.

For Example:

“Ladies and gentlemen, today I would like to talk to you about the education system. The education system that we have followed in our country has been reformed many times. Computer literacy at the age of 13 can help in the child’s future studies. Here, I will argue that the problem is the pandemic, besides being stressful, are indecisive in assessing student learning.”

Step #3: Signposting

Signposting may seem irritating and avoidable. If you are word-addict it can even seem like it’s confusing the flow of your otherwise clear and lyrical speech. However, it’s totally important in the format of a good debate speech. You might think that you write a good debate speech, but remember the audience isn’t you to judge. They don’t how much idea about the topic as you have and they might get bored for a few moments in your introduction and then get completely lost. This is why signposting is necessary for debate.

This is a good way to remind your audience of what you are discussing and where you are up to in your speech. Hence, after your introduction add a few points that tell the audience that how many points you are going to deliver and in what order you are delivering them.

Also Read : Essential Transition Words and Phrases for Writing

Step #4: Rebuttal

Have you heard that sometimes the best offense is a good defense? In a professional debate, the most compelling part is usually when one side takes one of the arguments of the opponent and then cuts it to pieces. Indeed, it’s the most difficult part of any debate speech to finish correctly. In a debate speech Rebutting arguments forces you to think thoroughly on the spot. You have a little time like 30 to 40 seconds to take arguments that your opponent has spent a lot of time researching and edging and convincingly oppose it.

There are some approaches that you can use while rebutting in a debate speech and make the challenge a little less dismay. These include the following:

  • Pre-research thoroughly
  • What’s the point
  • Economic Challanges
  • Say your own arguments

Step #5: Arguments

The argument is the most significant part of a debate speech. To make it clear for you, we have divided this down into four simple subtopics.

1. Decide what to argue:

If you have researched the topics and have good information, then a lot of arguments will come to your mind. It always requires good research to come up with talking points. Consider the issue. You can research online, read books and novels for good ideas. When you have good knowledge of the topic then the right arguments will come to your mind no matter how strong your position is.

2. The Layout :

Writing an argument is the same as writing a body paragraph for an essay. You can start each argument by signposting for instance, “Initially, I want to argue….” and then follow up with a sentence shortly. After this, you need to talk in detail about the topic by giving some facts and statics to constitute what you are saying, and then at the end link neatly back to the title of the debate to make clear to the audience that you are not only giving a passionate rant but instead making a carefully calculated point that related in with a general thesis statement.

3. Find Evidence:

Embedding the right evidence into your debate speech makes you more conceivable, but using the wrong and irrelevant evidence from a wrong source leaves you vulnerable to be attacked by the opposition. Hence, it’s necessary to search beforehand and find the right evidence.

4. Persuasive Strategies:

Remember you can be as persuasive and colorful in debate as you write a persuasive piece. Don’t use harsh words or insult your opponents and don’t use the sense of humor where it’s not important, but other than the obvious limitation you can use as many persuasive strategies as you can.

Step #6: How to Conclude

The conclusion is the result of your writing and is one of the most important parts of a debate speech. It should sum the points you have written in the whole parts of your writing, and by delivering the conclusion of your debate the listeners or readers should feel as if they have gained the result of whatever you have written in the body.

Writing a conclusion for a debate speech is the same as writing a conclusion for an essay. In the link below you can read more about how to conclude a debate.

  • How to Write the Best Concluding Paragraph

Debate Speech Sample in English

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Debate Writing Format for Class 10: A Detailed Guide

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One of the most significant barriers to effective self-expression during a debate can be your incapacity to articulate your ideas. However, be at ease!

We can help if you’re stumbling around attempting to figure out how to write a fantastic debate speech or having difficulty writing a composition .

To help you write the ideal debate, we’ll cover debate writing kinds, formats, and style guides in this blog.

Let’s go!

Table of Contents

What is Debate Writing?

Two opposing teams argue and defend a certain resolution in a formal battle of reasoning known as a debate. Converting someone’s opinion to yours is likewise a persuasive speech technique.

In this instance, the speaker either defends or refutes the subject under discussion. In addition, it involves composing and organizing the discussion prior to its official presentation.

Features of Debate Writing

The primary components of debate writing are not like writing a story where there is a plot, characters, a location, a setting, etc. The components for debate writing are as follows.

  • Informative: A solid argument needs to include all relevant details and data. Using reason and logic is meant to enlighten and educate others.
  • Well-reasoned: In a dispute, the points put out need to be sensible, pertinent, skillful, and clearly articulated.
  • Persuasive: To persuade the audience, a discussion needs to highlight compelling points.
  • Orderly: The facts must be presented in a debate in a methodical and planned manner. It should adhere to a particular format as well.
  • Dynamic: In a dispute, two groups make contrasting claims. Likewise, every team member needs to be questioned about and provide an answer on all the significant aspects.

Types of Debate

The types of debate that are commonly used on different occasions are described in detail below.

Team Policy Debate:

Two teams, each with two debaters, compete in the team policy debate. Presenting a vast amount of facts in a logical manner is the primary goal.

Cross-Examination Debate:

This is the time in between remarks. Here, the opponents ask one another to elucidate and comprehend the arguments supported by facts.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate:

This is an open forum, one-on-one discussion. Here, the debaters concentrate on making a strong, reasoned case for or against a subject.

Spontaneous Argumentation:

Two teams debate a certain topic in spontaneous argumentation, which doesn’t involve a lot of study. In the same way, the presentation dominates this argument over the content.

Public Forum Debate:

It involves discussions of contentious issues. Additionally, these are meant to assess the debaters’ abilities in refutation, cross-examination, and argumentation.

Parliamentary Debate:

Two teams participate in a parliamentary debate: the opposition team and the government team. The opposition team argues against the motion that the government team has proposed.

Debate Writing Format

The format for debate writing in middle or high school is the same. In order to help you understand the components of a discussion, we have included a thorough framework here.

  • Introductions and Explanations

It starts with three main points made in the opening phrases and ends with clarifying queries.

  • Pro Team: Five minutes
  • Con Team: Two minutes
  • Con Team: Five minutes
  • Pro Team: Two minutes
  • Counterarguments

The debaters restate and evaluate the opponent’s claims and points of view in this stage.

  •  Pro Team: Three minutes
  • Con Team: Three minutes

Following in-depth discussions with the opposing side, the debaters will now provide a summary of their perspectives. Similarly, it enables them to defend their position as superior.

  • Pro Team: Three minutes

Following a thorough discussion, each team has 20 minutes to respond to the questions.

To assist you in organizing your debate, refer to the provided debate writing template.

How to Start a Debate?

The question “How to write a debate introduction?” may seem intimidating when you first begin the writing process but don’t panic.

These simple steps can help you create an engaging introduction for your argument.

  • Great Salutation and Powerful First Line: With a passionate welcome and an attention-grabbing opening statement that establishes the tone for your debate, greet your audience.
  • Describe a Personal Experience: Share a personal story that humanizes the subject and makes it approachable and interesting to establish an emotional connection.
  • State an Amazing Fact: To spark interest and build credibility, start your debate by introducing a startling or impressive truth about the subject of your argument.
  • Make Use of a Strong Quote: Incorporate a thought-provoking quote that supports your position to give your speech more substance and authority.
  • Pose a Hypothetical Question: Ask a rhetorical question to get your audience to consider the topic at hand and to think critically.
  • Describe the Issue: Explain the issue or difficulty related to your debate topic in detail, emphasizing its importance and applicability.
  • Provide Your Thoughts on the Matter: Take a position on the issue, giving a brief synopsis of your case and laying out the framework for the points you will make in your debate speech.

How to Write a Debate?

The guidelines listed below will help you write a debate speech that will make you stand out from the competition:

Recognize the Argument

Knowing the nature of debate writing is the first of many steps toward mastering it. In this case, each team will be given a topic and asked to select between an affirmative and negative position.

Investigate the Subject

To fully grasp all sides of the argument, conduct a thorough brainstorming session and extensive research on the subject. List the important points, and then utilize reliable sources to address them in your main grounds of content.

Construct a Debate Structure

Create a simple three-section structure for your debate speech. The structure should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, all of which are covered in full below.

The attention grabber appears in the initial portion of the outline. Use a thesis statement to introduce your issue and provide context. To comprehend the direction of the debate, give a brief synopsis of the arguments made by the students as well.

It is the primary portion of the discussion that goes into great detail about the main arguments. It also provides proof and logical justification for the thesis.

The final opportunity to introduce key concepts is in the conclusion. It concludes with a powerful statement and adds passion and emotion to the sentences, summarizing the major body.

Writing the Debate

Write the final draft of your argument now. Mention the ethos, pathos, and logos—the three main components of persuasion. These serve to clarify how the resolution affects things in the real world.

Additionally, to keep a logical flow between paragraphs, employ transition words. Finally, check and revise your writing to make sure there are no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.

This is a fantastic illustration of a well-written beginning for a debate:

The question for discussion today is, “Should virtual reality be integrated into the education system?” ladies and gentlemen. Opening for the affirmative side is me, Rajesh Kumar. We’ll demonstrate how the use of virtual reality can transform education. Let’s start with our initial disagreement.

How to End a Debate?

Make sure you have covered all of the following points before concluding the discussion. It will assist you in determining how credible your argument is.

  • Does your debate begin with a compelling salutation?
  • Does it offer unique content, firsthand knowledge, and an action call?
  • Does the debate adhere to the correct format and structure?
  • Does it have the right kind of sentence structure?
  • Is there a coherent flow of ideas from one paragraph to the next?
  • Have you edited it to fix common errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling?
  • Does the discussion touch on your thoughts on the assigned subject?
  • Does the argument conclude with a strong statement that will influence the audience going forward?

Tips and Tricks for Debate Writing

These fantastic debate hints and techniques can help you craft the ideal debate:

  • It is best to be informed about and ready for an argument before engaging in one.
  • Perform in-depth research to gather pertinent information and create original arguments regarding the subject.
  • When writing, one should use common sense to determine whether important claims are true.
  • Try to comprehend the formal argument by drawing on a range of personal encounters.
  • To make the arguments more genuine and believable, include instances and supporting data.
  • When presenting a critical argument, keep the judges’ and the audience’s perspectives in mind as well.
  • Always plan your speech with the time constraints in mind.
  • Don’t always reject the arguments put out by the opposition. As an alternative, make notes and use reason.
  • As you develop your case, consider every potential objection that others might have.
  • Never introduce fresh points of contention in your concluding paragraph.

You can create an excellent debate essay for your high school or college by using this thorough debate writing tutorial. We have addressed every important detail that is required to create a compelling argument.

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Debate Report Writing Examples

People argue all the time. There’s no mistaking that. But do you know that arguing can also be a form of intellectual exchange? It may sound ridiculous and insane, but think about it like this: when you see two people engaging in a heated debate on which movie category is the best, either romantic-comedy or pure horror, you begin to notice on how much people are willing to speak up just to get their opinions through the other person. This kind of debate may be informal and improper, but in a manner of speaking, it makes good dinner table conversation and does stimulate your brain cells to become more curious and get more involved with the news as to what is happening in society at present.

  • Debate Worksheet Examples
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But if you are looking to put your talents to good use as a public speaker and perhaps as a future lawyer, a good training ground would be to join the debate team. But take note that the topics that will be deliberated in the debate proper are not going to be those informal topics (e.g., movies, abstract feelings, etc.). The topics that will normally be discussed will normally pertain to today’s current issues. Here are some of the things that you may need to know beforehand when you are making your debate speech .

Preparing for the Debate Speech

  • In a team, there are at least 3 speakers and a representative who is often the last one to speak to present a summary of the points that were being made earlier at the end of the debate round. Each speaker is given a minimum of 4 to 5 minutes as a first speaker to deliver his or her piece to the audience for that certain side.
  • Each speaker then present arguments against the earlier pro or con speech that was just read. While either the affirmative side or the negative side speakers deliver their side, the opposing party’s speakers must listen carefully and attentively as to be able to deliver counter arguments. There are often segments involving crossfire, in which the debaters are allowed to ask questions and openly debate the topic. This may be called a Point of Information, and occurs when someone from the other team interrupts to ask a question or make a point.
  • Since debate teams are normally in a team of three or four, it would be best if you actually worked hand in hand to help figure this out. Whether you are in the affirmative or negative side, you must consider all the possibilities that your opponent might use against you. Once you are prepared for that, you can be ready for anything. Try listing down the pros and cons of the said issue itself. There are some points of the issue that the opposing side might choose. Distinguish on what seems to be the strongest and most probable argument they might use and develop countermeasures.
  • Research is everything. Without proper research, then you are screwed for reporting unverified information. As U.S. President Donald Trump would say, “Fake news!” Thanks to the Internet, any piece of information that you would wish to know can be immediately found within milliseconds. But make no mistake, do not believe everything that you read on the Internet, especially when you know it came from a random blog or just another opinion. When you claim something from the Internet, best make sure it came from a scholarly journal or at most from a legitimate government site when collecting and gathering data.
  • You will also want to deal with the strongest arguments on the other side in your speech. Ignoring the other side’s best arguments can weaken your rhetorical appeal.
  • Basic debate speech outline would normally contain four parts: an introduction, a thesis argument, your chosen key points to back your stance up, and a conclusion. Should there be a need to define some key words that are not clear for the judges, do so.
  • You can break each of those four part into subcategories. It’s often a good idea to write the introduction and conclusion last, focusing on the thesis argument and the evidence to back it up first.

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Debate Writing Prompt Sample Response

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Writing the Debate Speech

  • Do not forget that debates are formal and are meant to be serious. So make sure that your introduction must show the same level of professionalism. You can always start with “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.”
  • First impressions matter. That is a fact. And when your good impressions manage to get the attention of the judges, you are then off to a good start as it will often lead them to assume the debater is persuasive. One technique to write a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially in relation to real world events.
  • Introductions can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges.
  • When stating your stance, make sure that you do it early on. Do not wait for the judges and the audience to find out which side you belong to at the very end. It needs to be extremely clear whether you affirm or negate the resolution, so don’t try to confuse and eventually contradict yourself in the middle of the debate.
  • In every speech, the body or the “meat” of the speech is always the most important part. But keep in mind that you will only be given a short span of time for you to say your piece before time runs out (give or take, you have at least 3 ½ minutes and 30 seconds for an opening and for a conclusion, depending on the given rules of the debate).

Another tip would also be to focus on the roots of the issue, the effects of the problem, some expert’s opinion, examples, and statistics. Afterward, present a simple solution. In a debate, you are not given the opportunity to use a PowerPoint presentation, so as you continue discussing the points of your stance, allow your audience to visualize on what you are saying.

Not only must you attempt to appeal to the motives and emotions of the listener, but also try to their sense of fair play, desire to save, to be helpful, to care about the community, and others with a light touch. Make use of rhetorical questions that can make your opponents consider the validity of their point.

Understand the art of persuasion.  Finally, what is a debate with persuasion? Ancient philosophers such as Aristotle studied the art of persuasion, and by understanding their techniques will further help your debate speech.

Aristotle believed that speakers are more persuasive in writing if they combined elements of logos (persuasion by reasoning) with pathos (having an element of emotional appeal) and ethos (an appeal based on the character of the speaker)—for example, that they seem intelligent or of good will.

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Concluding the Debate Speech

  • Another good way to close a speech is through the use of quotations as well. Going back to the summation of the key arguments that was presented earlier is also recommended.
  • Although you want to memorize the speech, and may use notes or your outline when giving it, it needs to sound natural and not too rehearsed. The key to giving a good debate speech is research. You will need to think on your feet to counter opposing arguments.
  • Use a clear, loud voice, and be careful to watch pacing. You don’t want to speak too loud or too slowly. Remember that confidence goes a long way toward persuasion.

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Creating Your Basic Outline

  • Try not to keep relying on the Internet as it is not a guarantee that all the sources you find are legitimate. Go visit libraries or use whatever educational resources that you can utilize from documentaries to e-books even.
  • For every supporting piece of evidence you find for your case, try to find another piece of evidence to counter it. This will help you build your argument later.
  • If you think you already have enough points on your side of the argument, limit them at that. Because the more spread out your key points are, the likelihood of not finding enough evidence or supporting facts of those key points increases.
  • First thing you have to learn is subdividing your information. The main headings will probably consist of arguments, while subheadings will most likely contain different pieces of supporting evidence.
  • Use correct symbols. Each level of the outline has a particular symbol to use. The main headings will use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV). Subheadings use capital letters (A, B, C). Sub-sub headings use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). Keep these consistent throughout your outline.
  • Indent each level. Indentation helps you follow the line of argument and keeps your outline organized.
  • If you have a fairly lengthy debate planned, break up your case evidence into categorical sections. For example, you could have legal, moral, and economic support for your case.
  • Aim to have a minimum of three supporting facts or pieces of evidence in your case outline.
  • In debates in particular, quality is better than quantity.
  • Look to find rebuttals for both the individual parts of their argument in addition to the whole of it. This will fortify your position in the debate.
  • Many times their argument will be the opposite of yours, so while your argument lists the pros, theirs is listing the cons of a particular value. If you pay attention to this, you will be able to not only prove their side of the argument invalid, but also help to further promote your own.
  • Add detail to your outline. When you have made a bare bones outline of your case and rebuttals, begin adding a bit more detail that will benefit either essay writing or debating on the subject. Keep the outline form of headers, sections, and bulleted lists, but write in complete sentences, add in helpful questions and evidence, and make your argument more well rounded than just a list of a few words.

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As mentioned before, debates do not always have to be so formal. It can sometimes be as informal and the topics can go as far as the mind can think of. Here are some of the topics that can be discussed among yourselves or in the formal debate proper:

  • Is the death penalty appropriate? Or should it be banned?
  • Should cell phones be used during class?
  • Should laptops be allowed in classrooms?
  • Is global warming an issue?
  • Is there good reason for the American war on terrorism?
  • Does school detention do any good in high schools?
  • Are video games containing violence appropriate for children?
  • Is television an effective tool in building the minds of children?
  • Is the grading system used in high school effective?
  • Do celebrities get away with more crime than non-celebrities?
  • Is it effective to censor parts of the media?
  • Are alternative energy sources effective and justified?
  • Is drug testing athletes justified?

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【DSE 英文】Debate Speech 格式 – DSE English Paper 2 English Writing Tips 英文卷二技巧

【DSE 英文】Debate Speech 格式 Video 1 – DSE English Paper 2 English Writing Tips

DSE 英文 Paper 2 – 寫 Debate Speech 要注意什麼?

  • Begin with a greeting…
  • …but don’t go on too long
  • Make your position clear at the beginning of the debate speech
  • Use the first person ‘I/we’ to refer to the speaker/the speaker’s team, ‘you’ the audience
  • consider and refute the points made by the team he is arguing against.
  • Use persuasive language (Emotive Vocabulary)
  • Use persuasive language (Authority)
  • Use persuasive language (Tricolons – the power of three)
  • End on a strong note – Restate the main theme of your speech and repeat your opinion

DSE 英文作文體材 – Debate Speech 題目 1-5

  • The Hong Kong government is considering increasing the amount of foreign aid it gives to other countries. Many people disagree with this proposal. Write a debate speech in favour of the proposal.
  • In response to a rise in the number of young people dying in car crashes, the Hong Kong government has decided to increase the driving age to 21. Write a debate speech arguing against this decision.
  • It is healthy eating week at your school. There is going to be a debate about whether people should be vegetarians or not. Write a debate speech arguing in favour of either side.
  • Write a debate speech arguing in favour of banning prayer in schools.
  • Write a debate speech arguing for the important of history lessons in schools.

DSE 英文作文體材 – Debate Speech 題目 6-10

  • Scientists in Hong Kong are experimenting with cloning humans. Write a debate speech, arguing either for or against these experiments.
  • The Hong Kong government is considering reducing school holidays. Write a debate speech arguing against reducing school holidays.
  • Hong Kong airport are planning the construction of another runway, which will increase air traffic by 30%. Write a debate speech arguing either for or against the planned runway.
  • Your school is considering abolishing grades for students. Write a debate speech arguing against abolishing grades.
  • New advances in science have allowed parents to choose the sex of their baby. Many people consider this unnatural and wrong. Write a debate speech arguing either for or against.

DSE 英文作文 Debate Speech 實用開頭句子

  • I am here to argue for / against the motion…
  • I would like to put the argument for the affirmative side of the motion…
  • We are here to argue the motion…and I intend to argue against it.

DSE 英文作文 Debate Speech 提出自己立場實用句子:

  • The reason I believe that [smoking should be banned] is simple. 
  • Let me begin by saying…
  • Allow me to outline my argument…
  • If you will indulge me, I’d like to tell you about…

DSE 英文作文 Debate Speech 反駁對方實用句子:

  • Our opponents would have use believe x, but they are mistaken.
  • It might seem logical to accept the opposing argument, but in fact it is deeply flawed
  • My opponents might argue that … , but such reasoning is faulty. 

DSE 英文作文 Debate Speech 提供原因證明自己立場實用句子:

  • The reason I think this is…
  • The evidence clearly suggests that…
  • One of the reasons I’m convinced of this is…
  • There can be no clearer evidence of this than…
  • There is ample evidence to suggest why this is the case. 

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Statement from President Joe   Biden on Today’s Deadly Gun   Violence

The Super Bowl is the most unifying event in America. Nothing brings more of us together. And the celebration of a Super Bowl win is a moment that brings a joy that can’t be matched to the winning team and their supporters. For this joy to be turned to tragedy today in Kansas City cuts deep in the American soul.

Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for? What else do we need to see? How many more families need to be torn apart?

It is time to act. That’s where I stand. And I ask the country to stand with me. To make your voice heard in Congress so we finally act to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them or handling them.

We know what we have to do, we just need the courage to do it.

Today, on a day that marks six years since the Parkland shooting, we learned that three police officers were shot in the line of duty in Washington, DC and another school shooting took place at Benjamin Mays High School in Atlanta.  Yesterday marked one year since the shooting at Michigan State University. We’ve now had more mass shootings in 2024 than there have been days in the year.

The epidemic of gun violence is ripping apart families and communities every day. Some make the news. Much of it doesn’t. But all of it is unacceptable. We have to decide who we are as a country. For me, we’re a country where people should have the right to go to school, to go to church, to walk the street — and to attend a Super Bowl celebration — without fear of losing your life to gun violence.

Jill and I pray for those killed and injured today in Kansas City, and for our country to find the resolve to end this senseless epidemic of gun violence tearing us at the seams.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Debate Speech

    1 Understand how debates work. You will be given a debate topic - this is called a "resolution." Your team must take a stance either affirmative or negative to the resolution. Sometimes you will be given the stance, and sometimes you will be asked to take a position. You may be asked to stand affirmative or negative.

  2. How to Write a Debate Speech

    1. What Is A Debate Speech? 2. How To Prepare For Debate Speech? 3. Debate Speech Examples for Students 4. Tips for an Effective Debate Speech 5. Debate Speech Topics What Is A Debate Speech? A debate speech is a formal presentation where you argue for or against a specific topic.

  3. Debate Speech

    1. Preparing for the Debate Speech It is important to understand on how a debate works. The team will be given a topic which is called a "resolution" and your team will have to decide whether to take the affirmative or negative stance to the resolution.

  4. How to Prepare and Present a Debate Speech + Tips & Examples

    1. What is a Debate Speech? 2. Preparing for a Debate Speech 3. How to Present a Debate Speech? 4. Tips for Presenting a Debate Speech Effectively 5. Debate Speech Examples What is a Debate Speech? A debate speech is a structured argument on a specific topic that is presented in a formal setting. The main purpose of debate speech is to:

  5. 6 Easy Steps to Write a Debate Speech

    Step 1: A Strong Opening Every good debate starts with a strong opening line. If you're dealing with something emotionally charged, as debate topics tend to be, then starting with a similarly emotional opener is the best way to go.

  6. Writing a Winning Debate Speech

    1. Understand the Debate Format: Before diving into writing the speech, familiarize yourself with the debate format being used. Typical debate formats include Parliamentary, Public Forum, and Lincoln-Douglas. Understanding the rules and time limits associated with each format will guide your preparation and presentation. 2.

  7. How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

    1. Choose a Topic Also called a resolution or a motion, the topic is sometimes chosen for each side. This is usually the case in a school activity to practice debating skills. Alternatively, as in the case of a political debate, two sides emerge naturally around contesting beliefs or values on a particular issue.

  8. Debate Writing

    1. What is Debate Writing? 2. Types of Debate 3. Debate Writing Format 4. How to Write a Debate? 5. How to End the Debate? 6. Debate Writing Tips and Tricks 7. Advanced Techniques for Debate Writing 8. Debate Writing Examples 9. Debate Writing Topics for Students What is Debate Writing?

  9. Debate

    A debate is a form of public discourse that presents organized arguments by two opposing sides. In a typical debate, two sides (affirmative and negative) are given a proposition to debate using a structured format that differs based on the type. The affirmative side advocates for the proposition, providing supporting evidence and explanation ...

  10. How to Write a Debate Speech: 10 Steps

    3. Define your position: Clearly state your stance on the issue at hand. Your position should be strong, specific, and concise - bold statements will keep your audience engaged in the debate. 4. Develop your main arguments: Identify 2-3 compelling arguments supporting your position. These should form the backbone of your debate speech.

  11. How to Perform Well in a Debate: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

    Diversifying your tone is very important, but you never want to forget the core of your speech. 4. Master the dramatic pause. Any moment of stillness, in a debate, should feel important. Because so much of debate revolves around the power of oration, any break in the action will feel heavy.

  12. Complete Guide to Debating: How to Improve your Debating Skills

    A debate is a structured contest over an issue or policy. There are two sides - one supporting, one opposing. Benefits of debating include: Allowing you to think about aspects and perspectives you may not have considered. Encourages you to speak strategically. Improving public speaking skills. Learning how to create a persuasive argument.

  13. How to Create a Debate Speech

    Open the Debate. Introduce the topic in the first paragraph then make a statement that clearly and specifically identifies the team's position -- in favor or against the motion or issue under debate. Define and explain any complex scientific or technological terms or processes your audience needs to understand the topic before stating if you ...

  14. Debate Writing: Format, Techniques, Examples & Practice Questions in PDF

    Yes, there is a debate writing format used in Class 12 and Class 11 divided into Introduction, Middle Statement (Statement of Fact, Evidence, and Refutation), and Conclusion. Access the complete Debate writing & its format with techniques of debate writing, different examples & Practice Questions in Free PDF, updated for 2023-24 Board exams.

  15. How to Write a Debate Speech in English

    How to Write a Debate Speech in English | Format, and Examples by Admin 0 Share 0 Every student has to write a debate at some point in school, college, or university and if you don't know about the methods and steps to write a debate speech, you won't write an effective debate speech to increase your chance of success.

  16. PDF The Debating Cheat Sheet

    Manner is how you deliver your speech. It will include anything that enhances you presentation and makes it more engaging: the tone and volume of your voice, how quickly you speak, hand gestures, eye contact, your stance, and how you use your notes (always use palm cards - NEVER an A4 sheet of paper!). Method: How you organise it.

  17. Debate Writing Format for Class 10: A Detailed Guide

    Debate Writing Format for Class 10: A Detailed Guide By Zaveria Blog 10th standard, CBSE, SSC, Writing Formats 0 One of the most significant barriers to effective self-expression during a debate can be your incapacity to articulate your ideas. However, be at ease!

  18. PDF CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE: Guide

    The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to educational development of the individual through the vehicle of Congressional Debate, which promotes leadership and communication skills through rigorous interaction and debate on issues confronting our democracy. These skills will prepare them for learning and leadership throughout our.

  19. Debate Report Writing

    Basic debate speech outline would normally contain four parts: an introduction, a thesis argument, your chosen key points to back your stance up, and a conclusion. Should there be a need to define some key words that are not clear for the judges, do so. You can break each of those four part into subcategories.

  20. Here's How to Write a Perfect Speech

    Step 3: Edit and polish what you've written until you have a cohesive first draft of your speech. Step 4: Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice your speech the more you'll discover which sections need reworked, which transitions should be improved, and which sentences are hard to say. You'll also find out how you're doing ...

  21. 【DSE 英文】Debate Speech 格式

    Write a debate speech arguing in favour of banning prayer in schools. Write a debate speech arguing for the important of history lessons in schools. DSE 英文作文體材 - Debate Speech 題目 6-10. Scientists in Hong Kong are experimenting with cloning humans. Write a debate speech, arguing either for or against these experiments.

  22. Debate Writing Format

    An ideal debate must consist of 4 paragraphs, namely, Introduction/Salutations, Problem, Solution and the concluding part. Let us discuss each of them in detail. Introduction- This includes salutations and the topic (including FOR/AGAINST the motion). For Example:- Good morning everyone.

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    117 likes, 8 comments - thensmpd on February 14, 2024: "We are elated to introduce our second Core Adjudicator for the sixth edition of the Netaji Subhas..."