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How to Start a Debate

February 20, 2024 by admin Category: How To

You are viewing the article How to Start a Debate  at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.

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This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.

The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.

There are 7 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 12,657 times.

Starting an argument the right way will keep your audience engaged and help you win your argument. Before you argue, it’s a good idea to spend some time preparing for an effective opening to gain the upper hand.

Table of Contents

  • Steps
    • Grab the audience’s attention
    • Start the debate
    • Presenting arguments

Steps

Grab the audience’s attention

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 1

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 1

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Tell an interesting story. It could be a story about your journey that led you to the topic, an example of someone the listener can draw from, a clever short story, legend, historical event, or Anecdotes are related to the main points of the argument. [1] X Research Source

  • You should tell a story to get the gist of the argument. For example, it could be a story about the challenges you faced related to the topic, how you overcame the challenge, and the lessons learned.
  • For example: “As a former addict, I consider medical marijuana to be a lifesaver. My family and I had to travel across the country to help me with treatment, and it was well worth it. Addiction Mine went from 5 seizures a day to just 1 a week.”
Image titled Begin a Debate Step 2

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 2

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Ask a rhetorical question. When clever rhetorical questions are asked effectively, they can convince the listener to agree with you. You need your listeners to think for themselves, while paying attention to the topic of discussion. Ask a question that convinces the listener that you have the same background and beliefs as they do. [2] X Research Source

  • For example, you might ask, “Would you like to see someone you love suffer for no reason?”
Image titled Begin a Debate Step 3

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 3

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Say shocking statistics. Your statistics should be directly related to the main goal of the argument. The impact of statistics can convince your audience to agree with your current problem-solving approach. [3] X Research Sources

  • For example, you could say something like this: “A billion tons of plastic is floating in the ocean right now. That’s the same amount of plastic as the island of Haiwaii.” Continue discussing the problem and explain to the listener why your solution is the best way.
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Image titled Begin a Debate Step 4

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 4

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Use compelling quotes. Using quotes in your speech reinforces and increases the credibility of your ideas. Quotes also demonstrate your understanding of the topic. You should quote a statement that is relevant to the topic and attractive to the listener. In addition, use quotes from famous people or people the audience knows. [4] X Research Sources

  • For example, you are explaining why a college education is not necessary to succeed in life. You could start with a famous quote: “Mark Twain once said, ‘Don’t let school stop you from learning'”.
Image titled Begin a Debate Step 5

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 5

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Use a stage instrument or creative visual aid. For example, a picture, video, or object that captures the main idea of the argument. An innovative visual aid that enhances understanding, enhances aesthetics, and encourages imagination. It will also help people remember the message longer. [5] X Research Sources

  • For example, if you are arguing that climate change is a fact, show everyone a picture of the glacier before and after being affected by the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

Start the debate

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 6

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 6

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Form definitions. Key terms in the debate should be explained and defined by the first speaker. Also, define important terms that your audience may not understand well. [6] X Research Source

  • Identify key terms in the argument and look up their meanings in various dictionaries. Choose the best definition for each word. You should choose a definition that is neutral and universal.
  • Definitions can be literal and contextual. Contextual definitions will need examples to understand their meaning in practice. For example, the contextual definition of “money” would be money used to buy many things, such as food and gasoline. [7] X Research Sources
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Image titled Begin a Debate Step 7

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 7

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Summarize your point of view. After defining the key terms, let your listeners know the topic and why you and your group will be arguing. Strengthen your arguments by summarizing your point in multiple ways. [8] X Research Sources

  • Example: “My team and I will show you the necessity, practicality, and benefits of medical marijuana. Together we will demonstrate that thousands of patients with addiction, including children, receive palliative treatment through medical marijuana. Many studies show that medical marijuana reduces addictions by about 80%. Furthermore, the side effects of medical marijuana are not as severe as those of drugs used to treat addiction, especially for children. We will demonstrate that medical marijuana is a practical, safe, and cost-effective solution for patients and their families.”
Image titled Begin a Debate Step 8

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 8

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Determine the path. Your team needs to have a plan for how to address the issue under discussion. Debate groups do this by defining a line they want to pass. The first speaker should list the core of the line, not go into detail. [9] X Research Source

  • To demonstrate that the group’s approach will work, use the methods that have been adopted as the basis for yours. For example, you might emphasize that a ban on using cell phones while driving is the same as a ban on drinking while driving.
  • Try to focus on 3 important reasons why the method is necessary or needs to be changed. [10] X Research Source

Presenting arguments

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 9

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 9

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Hello audience. Always remember to greet your audience. This shows that you are confident and serious about the topic you are debating. It also shows that you respect the opinions of your listeners.

  • You might greet them like this: “Good morning professors and friends. The topic of today’s debate is the issue of student parking”, or “Good morning teachers and friends. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this debate. Today’s topic is student parking.”
Image titled Begin a Debate Step 10

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 10

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State the point of view that you support. After greeting everyone, briefly state your group’s argument. Listeners may get distracted or lose interest if your statement is too long. Also, explain to everyone the roles of the speakers.

  • State your opinion like this: “We believe that regular students do not need to buy a pass to park on the school grounds”, or “We believe that regular students need to purchase a pass to park car in the schoolyard”.
  • Explain the role of speakers like this: “As the first speaker, I will explain the meaning of key terms and present the main outline of the debate. The second speaker will explain the reasons supporting our argument, and the third speaker will summarize the argument.”
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Image titled Begin a Debate Step 11

Image titled Begin a Debate Step 11

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Make eye contact with the audience. Try to make eye contact with each listener. By looking into their eyes, you can judge their reaction by their facial expressions. Besides, you will be able to connect with people better, which makes your argument more convincing. [11] X Research Source

  • Remember to maintain eye contact with the listener after finishing a sentence.
  • Maintain eye contact with one person for 3-5 seconds, then look at the other person.
  • Image titled Begin a Debate Step 12

    Image titled Begin a Debate Step 12

    {“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/cb/Begin-a-Debate-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Begin-a-Debate-Step-12. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/cb/Begin-a-Debate-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Begin-a-Debate-Step- 12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}
    Speak slowly and clearly. Present slowly by breathing as you speak. After saying one sentence, take a deep breath, and then say the next sentence. [12] X Research Source

    • Also, remember to interrupt your voice. The pauses will help you control your breathing and organize your next thought. This also helps the listener process the information you just presented.
  • X

    This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.

    The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.

    There are 7 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.

    This article has been viewed 12,657 times.

    Starting an argument the right way will keep your audience engaged and help you win your argument. Before you argue, it’s a good idea to spend some time preparing for an effective opening to gain the upper hand.

    Thank you for reading this post How to Start a Debate at Tnhelearning.edu.vn You can comment, see more related articles below and hope to help you with interesting information.

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