debate speech

Debate Writing

Debate Speech

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

What Is A Debate Speech?

A debate speech is a formal presentation where you argue for or against a specific topic.

It involves structured arguments presented in different sections, aiming to persuade the audience with facts and convincing points. It's a way of discussing and trying to show why your side is the right one on a particular subject.

Key Elements of A Debate Speech

A debate typically includes several essential elements to effectively communicate your position and persuade the audience. These elements form the building blocks of a strong debate speech:

Opening Statements: These kick off the debate, presenting the main arguments for your side or against the motion. It sets the tone for the discussion.
Rebuttals: In this stage, you respond to the arguments made by the opposing side, highlighting weaknesses or presenting counterpoints.
Summary: Towards the end of the debate, a summary is provided to reinforce your main arguments and explain why your perspective is stronger. This section aims to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Use of Evidence: Supporting your arguments with evidence, facts, and examples strengthens your position and makes your speech more convincing.
Logical Reasoning: Presenting arguments in a clear, logical sequence enhances the coherence and persuasiveness of your speech.
Rhetorical Appeal: Adding appeals like ethos, pathos and logos to your speech can engage the audience, making your points more relatable and impactful.

How To Prepare For Debate Speech?

Creating a compelling debate speech requires a methodical approach that ensures a clear, convincing, and organized presentation. Let's delve into the detailed steps for an effective preparation:

Choosing a Position

Start by selecting a clear stance or position regarding the debate topic. Decide whether you are arguing for or against the motion. Understanding and committing to your position forms the foundation of your speech.

Conducting Thorough Research

Gathering information for your debate speech is really important. Look at different sources like books, reliable websites, and experts' ideas.

Find facts, numbers, and real stories that support what you want to say. It's key to use strong and trusted information that backs up your side of the argument.

When you collect different types of information, it makes your speech stronger and more convincing. This way, you'll be well-prepared to explain your ideas during the debate.

Structure The Key Points

After research and collecting points, organize your main arguments in a clear and logical manner to effectively convey your position in the debate. Set sufficient time to each key point to ensure they're adequately developed and presented.

You can do this by following a debate format. Here is a standard debate speech format for a 20-15 minutes long debate:

How to Start a Debate Speech

Crafting a compelling opening for your speech involves capturing the audience's attention while introducing key points of discussion.

You can achieve this by using attention-grabbing techniques such as sharing an eye-opening fact, a powerful quote, or a personal anecdote related to the topic.

Additionally, it's beneficial to briefly outline the key areas of discussion that you'll cover in your speech. By providing a sneak peek of the main points, you offer the audience a roadmap of what's to come.

This not only piques the audience's interest but also helps them anticipate and follow the structure of your speech.

Structure Your Arguments

Structuring arguments in the debate speech means organizing your ideas in a way that makes sense to others.

A well-structured argument often uses the P-E-E format, which stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation (P-E-E):

Point or Reason: Begin by stating your main argument or reason. This is the central idea you want to convey in support of your position.
Evidence: Provide evidence, facts, or examples that support your point. This evidence should be reliable and back up what you're saying.
Explanation: Explain how your evidence supports your point. Make it clear to your audience why this evidence is important and how it links to your argument.

This structure helps make your arguments more persuasive and clear. It enables you to present your points effectively, support them with evidence, and explain why that evidence matters in the context of your argument.

Address Counterarguments (Rebuttals)

Addressing counterarguments involves anticipating the opposing viewpoints and crafting responses, known as rebuttals , within your speech. A rebuttal is a persuasive counter-argument that challenges or opposes the points raised by the other side.

By thinking ahead and having strong responses, you showcase a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

This approach makes your argument stronger and shows your skill in defending your position, boosting your speech's credibility.

How to End a Debate Speech

Concluding your debate speech effectively is as important as starting it strong. Here are two impactful ways to conclude your speech:

Summarize Key Points with a Call to Action Example: "In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that [your stance on the topic]. As we leave here today, let's not merely acknowledge the importance of [debate topic] but commit to [call to action], ensuring a brighter future for all."
End with a Powerful Quote or Statement Example: "As [relevant figure] once wisely said, '[insert impactful quote].' Let these words guide us in our understanding of [debate topic]. Together, we can [highlight the desired outcome or change]."

Review And Practice

The last step is to review and practice a lot. Read through your speech to make sure it all makes sense and fits the time limit.

Practice how you talk, how fast or slow, and how you use your body while speaking. Also, be ready to answer questions or handle different arguments.

Do a few final practice rounds to feel more confident and comfortable. This way, you'll be well-prepared and ready to deliver a strong debate speech.

Debate Speech Examples for Students

For students, understanding how to structure and present a debate speech is crucial. Here are some debate speech samples to help you grasp the basics of debating:

First Speaker Debate Speech Example

2nd Speaker Debate Speech Example

3rd Speaker Debate Speech Example

Short Example Of Debate Speech

Debate Speech Structure

Examples can serve as a great starting point. Check out more expertly crafted debate examples for inspiration!

Tips for an Effective Debate Speech

Crafting a persuasive and impactful debate speech requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here are key tips to enhance the effectiveness of your presentation:

Tailor language to match the audience's demographics and interests.
Strengthen arguments with credible sources and diverse perspectives.
Organize with a clear introduction, well-developed body, and strong conclusion for a logical flow.
Capture attention with a compelling quote, question, or anecdote.
Support arguments with relevant statistics, examples, and real-world scenarios.
Anticipate opposing viewpoints and incorporate strong rebuttals.
Clearly articulate and repeat key ideas to reinforce your stance.
Maintain a dynamic and engaging delivery by varying tone and pace.
Pay attention to body language, eye contact, and gestures.
Allocate time wisely for each speech segment to ensure a well-paced presentation.
Be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes during the debate.
Practice multiple times to enhance clarity, emphasis, and pacing, boosting confidence.

Need to polish your debate? Have a look at this in-depth blog on debate techniques and get effective tips!

Debate Speech Topics

Here are some unique topic ideas for you to write a debate on.

Credit cards are more harmful than debit cards.
We are becoming too dependent on technology.
Marriage is an outdated concept.
Homework is necessary with regard to the learning process.
Being a college graduate in the United States is necessary for a successful career.
It is a good idea to have laptops in classrooms.
Facebook is a better social platform than Twitter.
Cell phones can be used as educational tools.
Junk food must be banned in high schools and colleges.
The Prime Minister of any state enjoys more power than the president.

Can’t pick a topic? Check out this extensive blog with multiple debate topics and get unique ideas!

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How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

What is a Debate?

A classroom debate involves students delivering persuasive speeches to present and support their opinions on a given subject. This activity helps develop critical thinking and communication skills, enabling students to gain a more comprehensive grasp of various topics.

Debate speeches are written according to a set of rules so a moderator can assess their effectiveness and allow others to question or challenge their statements within a formal debate.

A classroom debate is not an unruly fight or pointless argument but a structured formal conversation on a chosen topic in which two teams argue for or against it to convince the neutral moderator that they hold the stronger position.

Debating is a form of persuasive communication, and while we will be sticking to the fundamentals of how to write a debating speech, we also have a great guide to persuasive essay writing that elaborates on specific persuasive techniques.

Complete Teaching Unit on Class Debating

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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 To Run A Classroom Debate

Before jumping in headfirst to write your debating speech, ensure you understand how a debate is run to maximise your strategy and impact when it counts.

Debates occur in many different contexts, such as public meetings, election campaigns, legislative assemblies, and as entertainment on television shows. These contexts determine the specific structure the debate will follow.

This guide provides a basic step-by-step debate structure we can comfortably run with students in a classroom. By familiarizing students with this structure, they will effortlessly transition to other debate frameworks.

Running a classroom debate can be an engaging and educational activity that helps students develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to organize and facilitate a successful classroom debate:

1. Choose a Topic For Your Debate.

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

The resolution or motion is usually centered around a true or false statement or a proposal to change the current situation. Often, the motion starts, ”This House believes that….”

Select a topic relevant to your curriculum and the students’ interests. Ensure that it is debatable and has multiple perspectives. Further down this article, you can find a list of popular classroom debating topics.

2. Form Two Debating 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. The better prepared and coordinated they are as a team, the greater their chances of success in the debate.

3. Assign Roles to Students.

Each team member should have a specific role, such as speaker, researcher , or rebuttal specialist . This encourages teamwork and ensures that each student is actively involved.

4. Research and Preparation:

Allocate time for teams to research and prepare their arguments. Encourage students to use multiple sources, including books, articles, and reputable websites. Make sure you read our complete guide to powerful student research strategies.

5. Set Debate Format:

Define the debate format, including the structure of each round. Common formats include opening statements, cross-examination, rebuttals, and closing statements.

6. Establish Rules:

Set ground rules for the debate, such as time limits for each speaker, etiquette, guidelines for respectful communication, and consequences for rule violations.

7. Conduct a Practice Debate:

Before the actual debate, conduct a practice round. This helps students become familiar with the format and allows you to provide feedback on their arguments and presentation skills.
On the day of the debate, set up the classroom to accommodate the format. Ensure that each round has a clear structure, and designate a timekeeper to keep the debate on schedule.

9. Facilitate Q&A Sessions:

After each team presents their arguments, allow time for questions and cross-examination. This encourages critical thinking and engagement among the students.

10. Evaluate and Debrief:

After the debate, provide constructive feedback to each team. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments, presentation skills, and teamwork. Also, please encourage students to reflect on what they learned from the experience.
Have a class discussion about the debate, exploring different perspectives and opinions. This can deepen students’ understanding of the topic and enhance their critical thinking skills.

Consider integrating the debate topic into future lessons or assignments. This reinforces the learning experience and allows students to delve deeper into the subject matter.

Remember to create a supportive and respectful environment throughout the debate, emphasizing the importance of listening to opposing views and engaging in constructive dialogue.

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.

Ensure your debate is held in front of an audience (in this case, the class), and occasionally, 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.

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Download our Debate Organizer

Stay fousssed with this handy template to keep all your ideas organized.

How To Write A Debate

How to start a debate speech.

In highly competitive speech and debate tournaments, students are only provided the topic on the day, and limited time is allowed for preparation, but this is not recommended for beginners.

Regardless of the stakes of your classroom debate, the speechwriting process always begins with research. Thorough research will provide students with both the arguments and the supporting evidence for their position on a topic and generate forward-thinking about what their opponents might use against them.

Writing Your Introduction

The purpose of the introduction in a debate speech is to achieve several things:

Grab the attention of the audience,
Introduce the topic
Provide a thesis statement
Preview some of the main arguments.

Grab The Attention Of Your Audience With Strong Hooks

Securing the audience’s attention is crucial, and failure to do this will have a strong, negative impact on how the team’s efforts will be scored as a whole. Let’s explore three proven strategies to hook your audience and align their thinking to yours.

Introduce Your Topic With Efficiency and Effectiveness

Once the audience’s attention has been firmly grasped, it’s time to introduce the topic or the motion. This should be done straightforwardly and transparently to ensure the audience understands the topic of the debate and the position you are approaching it from.

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

Provide Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a concise declaration summarizing the points and arguments of your debating speech.

It presents a clear stance on a topic and guides the reader on what to expect in the content.
A good thesis statement is debatable and allows for opposing viewpoints and discussion.
It serves as a roadmap for the writer, ensuring coherence and focus in the piece.
It helps the audience understand the purpose and direction of the work from the beginning.

The thesis statement should express the student’s or the team’s position on the motion. Clearly explaining the speaker’s side of the debate. An example can be seen here.

Provide A Preview Of Your 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.

debate introduction examples for students

Attention grabbers task.

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 one best fits their chosen topic. Then, they can continue by completing the rest of the introduction for their speech using the format described above.

You might like to try a simple topic like “Homework should be banned.” you can choose from our collection further in this article.

Writing T he 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, and 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.

How to structure 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:

The Warrant

Following this structure carefully enables our students to build coherent and robust arguments. Ttake a look at these elements in action in the example below.

Brainstorming Arguments

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!

Concluding a Debate Speech

The conclusion of a speech or a debate is the final chance for the speaker to convey their message to the audience. In a formal debate that has a set time limit, the conclusion is crucial as it demonstrates the speaker’s ability to cover all their material within the given time frame.

Avoid introducing new information and focus on reinforcing the strength of your position for a compelling and memorable conclusion.

A good conclusion should refer back to the introduction and restate the main position of the speaker, followed by a summary of the key arguments presented. Finally, the speaker should end the speech with a powerful image that will leave a lasting impression on the audience and judges.

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Examples of strong debate Conclusions

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.

The Devils Advocate

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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Debating strategies for students.

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.

Debating Teaching Strategies

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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Debate Writing

Debate Speech

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing and Delivering A Debate Speech

Published on: Mar 9, 2022

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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 peopleâs 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 âPoint, Evidence, Explanation (PEE)â.

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.

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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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The Most Powerful Debate Speech Strategy And Topic Ideas

Hrideep barot.

Speech Topics

Welcome to the exciting world of debate speech and topics! Forget the fancy jargon; let’s talk about how debates aren’t just about winning arguments. Picture it as a journey where we explore ideas and connect. We’re not just tossing words around; we’re diving into the core of what makes us tick.

Think of debates as more than just convincing speeches. They’re like a doorway to understanding and connecting with people. It all begins with a strong start – our introduction. It’s not just about capturing attention; it’s about inviting everyone into a space where ideas clash and minds expand.

In this space, words aren’t just tools; they’re the architects of who we are becoming. Our journey is more than winning debates; it’s about developing critical thinking, becoming great communicators, and understanding each other better. So, let’s kick off this adventure together, where the magic of debate isn’t just in the words we say but in how they shape us along the way.

11 Greatest Debate Topics Of All Time.

How To Write a Debate Speech?

Ways In which Debate Helps Shape Overall Personality.

10 powerful debate strategies which can never go wrong. .

Conclusion.

1. The Existence of a Higher Power: God vs. Atheism

Theological Arguments: Explore philosophical and theological arguments for the existence of God, such as the cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments.

Scientific Perspectives: Consider scientific perspectives that challenge traditional religious beliefs, including evolutionary theory and the Big Bang theory.

Personal Beliefs: Discuss the role of personal experiences and beliefs in shaping one’s stance on the existence of a higher power.

2. Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech Laws

Importance of Free Expression: Discuss the fundamental value of free expression in a democratic society and its role in fostering diversity of thought.

Harm Principle: Explore the harm principle as a criterion for limiting speech and the ethical considerations in regulating hate speech.

Balancing Rights: Consider the challenges in striking a balance between protecting individual rights and preventing harm to marginalized communities.

3. Legalization of Recreational Drugs: Pros and Cons

Individual Liberty: Discuss the argument for individual liberty, asserting that adults should have the autonomy to make choices about their bodies.

Public Health Concerns: Explore the potential negative impacts of drug legalization on public health and societal well-being.

Economic Implications: Consider the economic implications, including potential tax revenue and job creation, associated with the legalization of recreational drugs.

4. Climate Change: Human-Made vs. Natural Causes

Scientific Consensus: Examine the overwhelming scientific consensus supporting the idea that human activities contribute significantly to climate change.

Skeptic Perspectives: Discuss skeptical views that challenge the extent of human impact on climate change, considering natural climate variations.

Policy Implications: Explore the policy implications of different perspectives, including the urgency for mitigation and adaptation measures.

5. Capital Punishment: Morality and Deterrence

Retribution and Justice: Discuss the concept of retribution and whether capital punishment serves as a just response to heinous crimes.

Deterrence Effect: Examine the debate over the deterrent effect of capital punishment on potential criminals.

Risk of Wrongful Execution: Consider the ethical implications of the potential for wrongful executions and the irreversible nature of the death penalty.

6. Immigration Policies: Open Borders vs. Strict Control

Economic Contributions: Discuss the economic benefits of immigration, including contributions to the labor force and entrepreneurship.

National Security Concerns: Explore concerns related to national security, public resources, and the potential strain on social services.

Humanitarian Considerations: Consider the moral and humanitarian aspects of providing refuge to those fleeing violence or seeking a better life.

7. Assisted Suicide: Right to Die vs. Sanctity of Life

Autonomy and Dignity: Discuss the principle of autonomy and an individual’s right to make decisions about their own life, including the choice of assisted suicide.

Ethical and Religious Perspectives: Examine ethical and religious perspectives that emphasize the sanctity of life and the moral implications of assisted suicide.

Legal Implications: Consider the legal frameworks and ethical guidelines surrounding assisted suicide in different jurisdictions.

8. Privacy in the Digital Age: Security vs. Individual Rights

Surveillance Technologies: Explore the capabilities and implications of modern surveillance technologies, including mass data collection and facial recognition.

National Security Justifications: Discuss arguments that support increased surveillance for national security purposes, especially in the context of preventing terrorism.

Individual Privacy Concerns: Examine concerns related to the erosion of individual privacy rights, data breaches, and the potential for abuse of surveillance powers.

9. Universal Basic Income: Reducing Inequality vs. Economic Sustainability

Poverty Alleviation: Discuss the potential of a universal basic income (UBI) to alleviate poverty and provide financial stability to all citizens.

Economic Viability: Explore concerns about the economic feasibility and sustainability of implementing UBI, including potential impacts on workforce participation.

Social and Economic Equity: Consider how UBI might address systemic inequalities and contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources.

10. Censorship in the Arts: Protecting Morality vs. Freedom of Expression

Artistic Freedom: Discuss the importance of artistic freedom as a form of expression and creativity.

Moral and Cultural Sensitivities: Explore the need for censorship to protect societal values, moral standards, and cultural sensitivities.

Role of Cultural Context: Consider how cultural context and shifting societal norms influence the boundaries of artistic expression.

11. Animal Testing: Scientific Advancement vs. Animal Rights

Scientific Progress: Discuss the contributions of animal testing to scientific and medical advancements, including the development of new treatments and pharmaceuticals.

Ethical Treatment of Animals: Examine the ethical considerations surrounding the use of animals in research, focusing on animal rights, welfare, and alternatives to testing.

Balancing Interests: Explore the challenge of balancing scientific progress with the ethical treatment of animals, seeking common ground that respects both human and animal interests.

These elaborations provide a more in-depth understanding of each controversial debate topic, touching on various perspectives, considerations, and implications associated with each issue. Each topic reflects a complex interplay of values, ethics, and practical considerations that make them enduring subjects of discussion and debate.

How To Write A Debate Speech ?

Introduction: grabbing attention.

Begin your debate speech with a captivating introduction to immediately capture the audience’s interest. Consider using a powerful quote, a relevant anecdote, or a surprising fact related to your topic. The goal is to create an immediate connection with your listeners and set the stage for the discussion that follows. Make it clear why the topic is important and worthy of their attention. You might also include a brief overview of the main points you will cover to provide a roadmap for your audience.

Thesis Statement: Clearly State Your Position

Craft a concise and compelling thesis statement that communicates your stance on the topic. This statement should serve as the central point around which your entire speech revolves. Take the opportunity to highlight the significance of your position and why it is the most rational or ethical perspective. Additionally, consider briefly acknowledging the existence of opposing views to demonstrate your awareness of the complexity of the issue.

Main Arguments: Develop Strong Points

For each main argument, delve into detailed explanations supported by robust evidence. This evidence could include relevant research findings, real-life examples, or historical precedents. Be sure to explain the logical connections between your points and the overall thesis. Use persuasive language to underscore the importance of each argument, making it clear why the audience should find your perspective compelling.

Addressing Counter Arguments: Anticipate and Refute

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the opposing viewpoint by anticipating counterarguments. Acknowledge these counterarguments respectfully before providing well-reasoned and persuasive refutations. This not only strengthens your position but also shows intellectual honesty and a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives. Use facts, logic, and reasoning to effectively dismantle counterarguments, leaving your audience with a sense of the robustness of your position.

Emphasize Impact: Appeal to Emotions and Values

While presenting your arguments, strategically incorporate emotional appeals to resonate with your audience. Share relatable stories, connect your points to shared values, and use language that evokes an emotional response. This not only adds depth to your speech but also helps create a memorable and impactful impression. A balance between logic and emotion can make your arguments more persuasive and relatable.

Use Persuasive Language: Enhance Convincing Power

Employ a variety of rhetorical devices and persuasive language techniques to enhance the power of your speech. Metaphors, analogies, and vivid language can make complex ideas more accessible and memorable. Consider using repetition to emphasize key points and create a rhythmic flow in your speech. Aim for clarity and precision in your language to ensure that your audience easily grasps the nuances of your arguments.

Maintain Clarity and Organization: Structured Delivery

Organize your speech in a clear and logical structure to facilitate easy comprehension. Begin with a strong introduction, followed by a clear progression of main points. Use transitions between ideas to maintain coherence and guide your audience through the flow of your arguments. A well-structured speech not only aids understanding but also enhances the overall impact of your message.

Engage the Audience: Foster Connection

Encourage active engagement by incorporating rhetorical questions, interactive elements, or moments of audience participation. Foster a sense of connection by speaking directly to the concerns and interests of your listeners. Consider using relatable examples of anecdotes that resonate with the experiences of your audience. Engaging your listeners in this way can create a more dynamic and memorable speech.

Conclusion: Reinforce Your Message

In your conclusion, re-emphasize the key points of your speech and restate your thesis with conviction. Summarize the main arguments in a way that reinforces your overall message. Conclude with a powerful and memorable statement that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion; instead, focus on leaving a strong and final impact that reinforces the significance of your position.

Q&A Preparation: Be Ready for Questions

Anticipate potential questions that may arise from your audience and prepare thoughtful and well-reasoned responses. Demonstrating a thorough understanding of your topic and the ability to address inquiries with confidence adds credibility to your overall presentation. Consider practicing responses to common questions to refine your ability to articulate your position effectively. During the Q&A session, maintain composure and be open to constructive dialogue, further showcasing your expertise and conviction.

Remember, the key to a successful debate speech lies not only in the strength of your arguments but also in your ability to connect with and persuade your audience. Regular practice, feedback, and a genuine passion for your topic will contribute to a compelling and influential presentation.

Check this out to learn about public speaking and debate differences.

Critical Thinking Skills:

Engaging in debates cultivates critical thinking by training individuals to analyze information rigorously. Debaters learn to identify key arguments, evaluate evidence, and discern logical connections. This process enhances their ability to approach complex issues with a discerning and analytical mindset.

Effective Communication:

Debate serves as a powerful platform for honing effective communication skills. Participants develop the art of articulation, mastering the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively. Regular exposure to public speaking opportunities not only boosts confidence but also refines the delivery of compelling messages.

Check this out to learn how to deliver a memorable speech:

Research and Information Retrieval:

Debates foster strong research skills as individuals delve into diverse topics, evaluate sources, and synthesize information effectively. This process not only enhances information literacy but also teaches valuable skills in data analysis and interpretation.

Empathy and Understanding:

The nature of debates, where participants engage with a variety of viewpoints, promotes empathy and a deeper understanding of different perspectives. Exposure to diverse opinions encourages individuals to appreciate cultural nuances and fosters a more inclusive worldview.

Conflict Resolution Skills:

Debates contribute to the development of conflict resolution skills by emphasizing constructive dialogue and negotiation. Participants learn to navigate differences of opinion, seek common ground, and work towards resolutions collaboratively.

Leadership Qualities:

Active participation in debates fosters leadership qualities such as confidence and initiative. Debaters often take charge of researching, organizing arguments, and leading team efforts, contributing to the development of effective leadership skills.

Time Management:

The time constraints inherent in debates teach individuals to prioritize information effectively. Participants learn to cover multiple points within a structured timeframe, enhancing their ability to manage time efficiently.

Check this out to learn how to ace a 2-minute speech:

Teamwork and Collaboration:

Debating frequently occurs in team settings, fostering teamwork and collaboration. Participants develop skills in effective communication within teams, resolving conflicts, and achieving collective goals.

Debate, as a structured and disciplined form of discourse, provides a platform for personal growth and the development of a well-rounded personality. It not only enhances cognitive and communication skills but also nurtures qualities such as empathy, adaptability, and ethical decision-making, contributing to the holistic development of individuals.

1. Solid Research And Preparation: The Foundation Of Success

In-Depth Understanding: Devote time to thoroughly understand the nuances of your chosen topic. Conduct extensive research to be well-informed on various aspects of the issue.

Counterargument Anticipation: Anticipate potential counterarguments that opponents might present. This allows you to proactively address opposing views and strengthen your position.

Factual Support: Arm yourself with concrete evidence, facts, and statistics. This not only bolsters your credibility but also adds weight to your arguments.

2. Clear And Concise Communication: Precision Matters

Clarity of Expression: Express your ideas in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. Avoid unnecessary complexity that might confuse the audience and dilute your message.

Key Message Emphasis: Emphasize key points with precision. Clearly articulate your thesis and ensure that each supporting argument aligns with and reinforces your central message.

Memorable Language: Use language that is both concise and memorable. Craft statements that leave a lasting impression, making it easier for the audience to recall your key arguments.

3. Active Listening: Addressing Counterarguments Effectively

Attentiveness: Actively listen to your opponents during the debate. Paying close attention allows you to respond effectively and demonstrate respect for differing viewpoints.

Acknowledgment of Valid Points: Acknowledge valid points made by the opposition. This not only showcases your fairness but also allows you to engage in a more constructive and nuanced debate.

Strategic Response: Respond thoughtfully to counterarguments. Be prepared to address opposing views with well-reasoned and compelling rebuttals.

4. Adaptability: Flexibility In The Face Of Challenges

Responsive Approach: Be prepared to adapt your strategy based on the flow of the debate. Flexibility allows you to navigate unexpected turns and respond effectively to evolving circumstances.

Open-Mindedness: Demonstrate an open-minded approach to new information. If presented with compelling evidence, be willing to adjust your stance accordingly.

Strategic Agility: Develop the ability to think on your feet and adjust your arguments and responses as the debate unfolds.

5. Emotional Intelligence: Connecting With Your Audience

Understanding Audience Emotions: Consider the emotions and values of your audience. Tailor your arguments to resonate with the experiences and concerns of the people you are addressing.

Emotional Appeals: Incorporate emotional appeals strategically. Connecting with the audience on an emotional level makes your arguments more relatable and persuasive.

Empathy in Communication: Use empathy to establish a genuine connection. Demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives and emotions of your audience.

6. Confidence And Body Language: Projecting Authority

Confident Posture: Maintain a confident and upright posture throughout the debate. Projecting confidence through body language contributes to your perceived authority.

Eye Contact: Make deliberate and consistent eye contact with the audience and opponents. This not only conveys confidence but also fosters a sense of connection.

Vocal Presence: Ensure a strong and clear vocal presence. Speak with conviction and avoid vocal patterns that may suggest uncertainty.

7. Strategic Use of Time: Maximize Impact

Time Allocation: Strategically allocate your time to cover all key points without rushing. Prioritize high-impact arguments and allocate sufficient time for their presentation.

Strategic Pauses: Use strategic pauses for emphasis. Pauses allow the audience to absorb your points and can add weight to your arguments.

Time Management Skills: Develop effective time management skills to ensure that your speech is well-paced and impactful.

8. Consistency in Messaging: Reinforce Your Core Points

Unified Message: Maintain consistency in your messaging throughout the debate. Reinforce your core arguments and thesis to create a cohesive and unified presentation.

Avoiding Contradictions: Be vigilant about avoiding contradictions in your arguments. Inconsistencies can weaken your overall position and undermine your credibility.

Repetition for Emphasis: Repetition can be used strategically to emphasize key points and ensure that your central message is reinforced.

9. Engage the Audience: Foster Connection and Interest

Relatable Examples: Connect with the audience by using relatable examples and anecdotes. Grounding your arguments in real-life situations makes your message more accessible.

Interactive Elements: Encourage audience engagement through rhetorical questions or interactive elements. Active participation fosters a sense of involvement and interest.

Addressing Audience Concerns: Speak directly to the concerns and interests of your audience. Tailor your arguments to resonate with the experiences and values of those you are addressing.

10. Grace Under Pressure: Navigate Challenges with Composure

Calm Demeanor: Remain calm and composed, especially when faced with challenging questions or counterarguments. A composed demeanor enhances your perceived competence and confidence.

Professionalism: Handle pressure with grace and professionalism. Maintain focus on the substance of your arguments rather than getting derailed by external pressures.

Effective Problem-Solving: Develop effective problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges. Navigating pressure with composure demonstrates resilience and adaptability.

By incorporating these elaborated strategies into your debating approach, you can enhance your effectiveness, build credibility, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Continuous practice and refinement will contribute to your growth as a skilled and persuasive debater.

In summary, the world of debate is a transformative journey that extends beyond the exchange of arguments. Crafting a debate speech is more than an exercise in persuasion; it’s an opportunity to refine our ability to connect with others. Exploring profound topics in debates prompts introspection and broadens our understanding of the world.

Powerful debate strategies go beyond winning; they teach us adaptability and the importance of emotional intelligence. It’s not just about presenting arguments; it’s about becoming individuals who can navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Debate shapes our personality in multifaceted ways. It cultivates critical thinking, enhances communication skills, and instills empathy. Engaging with diverse perspectives fosters a more nuanced worldview, contributing to a well-rounded personality.

In essence, the debate is a dynamic and evolving process that leaves an unerasable mark on our character. It’s a journey that molds us into individuals capable of not only articulating ideas persuasively but also of connecting with others on a deeper level. Through debate, we become architects of our growth, equipped with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of life.

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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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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 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.

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

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

Complete Guide to Debating: Improve your Debating Skills

In the world of communication and persuasion, mastering the art of debate is a skill that can truly set you apart. Whether you're a student, a professional, or simply someone who wants to express their opinions more effectively, understanding how to speak during a debate and how to develop debating skills is essential.

After all, debates provide a platform to express ideas, challenge perspectives, and influence others through logical arguments and persuasive communication. If you've ever wondered how to do a debate or how to become a more skilled debater, you've come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of debating skills, explore the debate rules, and provide valuable insights on improving your performance. SoME, your go-to source for professional courses, is here to equip you with the tools and techniques you need to excel in the world of debating.

Let's dive in and discover the secrets to becoming a confident and compelling debater.

Understanding the Basics of Debating

Are you ready to delve into the fascinating world of debating?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of improving your skills, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals.

In this section, we'll explore the definition of debating, the different types of debates you might encounter, and the key elements that make up a successful debate.

So, let's get started!

Definition of Debating

Debating can be defined as a structured discussion where participants present arguments and counterarguments on a specific topic.

It's a dynamic exchange of ideas, where individuals express their viewpoints while actively engaging with opposing perspectives.

Debating goes beyond mere persuasion; it requires logical reasoning, research, and effective communication to make a compelling case for your side.

Different Types of Debates

1. formal debates.

Formal debates follow a predefined structure and set of rules. These debates often take place in academic or competitive settings.

They involve teams representing different sides of an argument and follow a specific format, such as the Oxford-style or the Karl Popper-style debates.

Formal debates typically have designated speakers and time limits for each segment, ensuring a fair and organised discussion.

2. Parliamentary Debates

Parliamentary debates mimic the proceedings of a legislative assembly, where participants engage in a lively discussion on a given topic. These debates involve teams or individuals representing different political parties or viewpoints.

Parliamentary debates focus on persuasion, reasoning, and the ability to think on your feet. They require quick thinking and adaptability to address the arguments presented by opponents.

3. Public Debates

Public debates are open to a larger audience and often occur in community settings or as part of public events. They aim to engage the public in important social, political, or environmental discussions.

Public debates allow individuals from diverse backgrounds to voice their opinions, learn from others, and foster understanding.

4. Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Originating from the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln-Douglas debates focus on moral and philosophical topics.

They typically involve two individuals presenting their arguments and engaging in a detailed discussion. These debates emphasise logical reasoning, ethical considerations, and the ability to develop a coherent and persuasive case.

Key Elements of a Debate

1. opening statements.

The debate begins with opening statements, where each participant introduces their position and outlines their main arguments.

The opening statements set the stage for the ensuing discussion and provide an initial overview of each side's perspective.

2. Arguments and Counterarguments

A debate revolves around presenting strong arguments and countering the opposing arguments.

Participants must support their claims with evidence, statistics, expert opinions, or logical reasoning.

Anticipating and effectively addressing counter arguments is crucial to strengthening your position.

3. Rebuttals

Rebuttals allow participants to challenge and refute the arguments presented by the opposing side.

This is an opportunity to address weaknesses in the opposing case and reinforce the strength of your own arguments.

4. Cross-Examination

Cross-examination involves questioning the opposing side's arguments or seeking clarification on their position.

It requires critical thinking, active listening, and the ability to think on your feet. Cross-examination can help uncover flaws in opposing arguments and strengthen your own position.

5. Summation

At the end of the debate, participants deliver closing statements summarising their key points and reinforcing the overall strength of their arguments.

Summation provides a final opportunity to leave a lasting impression and persuade the audience.

How to Speak During a Debate: Command the Room with Conviction

Speaking during a debate is an art that can make or break your persuasive abilities. It's not just about expressing your ideas; it's about capturing the attention of your audience, delivering your arguments effectively, and leaving a lasting impact.

In this section, we'll explore valuable tips and techniques to help you speak with confidence and authority during a debate.

So, let's dive in and learn how to speak during a debate!

1. Structure Your Speech

Start with a clear and concise introduction that grabs the audience's attention and clearly states your position. Organise your arguments logically, presenting each point in a structured manner.

Use transitional phrases to guide the flow of your speech and make it easy for the audience to follow your line of reasoning.

2. Use Rhetorical Devices

Employ rhetorical devices such as metaphors, analogies, and rhetorical questions to make your speech more engaging and memorable. These devices help convey your message effectively, evoke emotions, and emphasise key points.

3. Speak with Conviction

Project confidence and conviction through your tone of voice and body language. Maintain good posture, make eye contact with the audience, and use gestures to enhance your delivery.

Speak clearly and articulate your words to ensure that your message is easily understood.

4. Emphasise Key Points

Highlight the most important aspects of your arguments by using vocal emphasis.

Modulate your tone, volume, and pace to draw attention to key points and make them stand out. This technique helps the audience remember and internalize your strongest arguments.

5. Use Evidence and Examples

Back up your arguments with evidence, facts, and real-life examples. Providing concrete evidence strengthens your position and lends credibility to your speech.

Incorporate relevant statistics, expert opinions, and anecdotes to support your claims.

6. Address the Opposing Side

Acknowledge and address the arguments presented by the opposing side. Refute them with well-reasoned counterarguments while maintaining a respectful tone.

Anticipating and addressing counter arguments demonstrates your thorough understanding of the topic and strengthens your position.

7. Maintain Clarity and Simplicity

Avoid using jargon, complex terminology, or convoluted sentences that may confuse the audience.

Aim for clarity and simplicity in your speech to ensure that your message is easily comprehensible to everyone in the room.

8. Practise Active Listening

Demonstrate active listening skills during the debate by attentively listening to the opposing side's arguments. Take notes and prepare thoughtful responses to effectively engage in the discussion.

Active listening also allows you to identify potential weaknesses in the opposing arguments that you can exploit during your rebuttal.

9. Adapt to the Audience

Consider the demographics and knowledge level of your audience while crafting your speech.

Tailor your language, examples, and explanations to resonate with the audience and make your arguments more relatable and compelling.

10. Conclude with Impact

End your speech with a strong and memorable conclusion. Summarise your key points, reiterate the strength of your arguments, and leave the audience with a compelling final thought. A powerful conclusion reinforces your position and leaves a lasting impression.

How to Develop Debating Skills: Unlock Your Potential as a Persuasive Communicator

Are you eager to enhance your debating skills and become a more persuasive communicator?

Developing strong debating skills requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach. In this section, we'll explore how to develop debating skills and unlock your potential.

1. Research and Stay Informed

Start by researching a wide range of topics and staying up-to-date with current events.

Read reputable sources, explore different perspectives, and deepen your knowledge on various subjects. A well-informed debater is better equipped to present compelling arguments.

2. Analyse Debates and Study Expert Speakers

Watch and analyse debates featuring experienced debaters or renowned public speakers.

Observe their speaking styles, argumentation techniques, and delivery. Take notes on their strengths and strategies, and learn from their successes.

3. Practise Constructive Listening

Develop active listening skills during debates or public discussions.

Pay attention to the arguments presented by both sides, analyse their strengths and weaknesses, and formulate your own counterarguments. Listening critically helps refine your thinking and prepares you to respond effectively.

4. Join a Debating Club or Society

Seek out debating clubs or societies in your community or educational institution.

Participating in regular practice sessions with like-minded individuals provides opportunities to engage in debates, receive feedback, and learn from peers who share your passion for debating.

5. Engage in Mock Debates

Organise or participate in mock debates with friends, classmates, or colleagues. Practice presenting arguments, countering opposing viewpoints, and refining your delivery.

Mock debates allow you to experiment with different strategies and build confidence.

6. Seek Feedback and Learn from It

Welcome constructive criticism from peers, mentors, or debate coaches. Feedback helps identify areas for improvement and guides your development as a debater. Incorporate the feedback into your practice sessions and continuously strive to enhance your skills.

With these strategies, consistent practice, and a passion for self-improvement, you can develop your debating skills and become a persuasive communicator.

SoME, your trusted source for professional courses, offers comprehensive programmes designed to sharpen your debating abilities and boost your confidence in public speaking. Unleash your potential and excel as a debater with SoME's expert guidance and practical training.

How to Do a Debate: Unleashing Your Persuasive Power on the Stage

Ready to step into the world of debating?

Whether it's for a school competition, a professional setting, or simply to sharpen your persuasive skills, learning how to do a debate effectively is a valuable asset.

In this section, we'll guide you through the process of preparing, organising, and executing a successful debate. So, let's dive in and unlock your persuasive power on the stage!

1. Understand the Debate Format

Familiarise yourself with the specific format of the debate you'll be participating in. Whether it's a formal or informal setting, understand the structure, time limits, and rules to ensure a smooth and coherent debate.

2. Choose an Engaging Topic

Select a topic that is relevant, thought-provoking, and sparks interest among the participants and audience. Consider both sides of the argument to create a balanced and engaging debate.

3. Research Thoroughly

Dive into extensive research on the chosen topic. Gather credible sources, statistics, and examples to support your arguments. Develop a deep understanding of the subject matter to present well-informed viewpoints.

4. Construct a Strong Opening Statement

Craft a compelling opening statement to capture the audience's attention. Clearly state your position, introduce key arguments, and establish a solid foundation for your case.

5. Organise Your Arguments

Structure your arguments in a logical and coherent manner. Present each point with clarity, supporting evidence, and persuasive reasoning. Use subheadings or numbering to help the audience follow your flow of thought.

6. Engage with Confidence

Present your arguments with confidence and conviction. Maintain eye contact with the audience, use gestures to emphasise key points, and project your voice effectively. Engaging with confidence enhances your persuasive impact.

7. Summarise and Conclude Strongly

End your debate with a concise summary of your key arguments and a powerful conclusion. Recap your main points, reinforce your position, and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Understanding Debate Rules and Etiquette: Navigating the Path to Civil Discourse

Debate rules and etiquette provide the framework for a constructive and meaningful exchange of ideas. To engage in debates effectively, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with these debate rules and follow proper etiquette.

In this section, we'll delve into the essential debate rules and etiquette of debates, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the path to civil discourse.

So, let's explore the debate rules that ensure debates remain respectful, informative, and engaging!

1. Research and Understand the Topic

Before engaging in a debate, thoroughly research and familiarise yourself with the topic. Understanding the subject matter enables you to present informed arguments and contribute meaningfully to the discussion.

2. Respect Time Limits

Adhere to the designated time limits for each debate segment. Respect the speakers' time and avoid going over your allotted time, as it can disrupt the flow and fairness of the debate.

3. Follow Turn-Taking Protocol

Abide by the turn-taking protocol established for the debate. Wait for your turn to speak and avoid interrupting other speakers. Listen attentively to ensure a respectful and productive exchange of ideas.

4. Constructive Language and Tone

Use respectful and constructive language throughout the debate. Avoid personal attacks, offensive language, or derogatory remarks. Maintain a calm and composed tone, focusing on the arguments rather than attacking individuals.

5. Stay on Topic

Keep your arguments relevant to the debate topic. Straying off-topic dilutes the focus and can hinder productive discussion. Ensure that your points directly relate to the subject being debated.

Wrapping it up

Mastering the art of debating opens doors to numerous opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and intellectual engagement.

Remember, debating is not just about winning arguments, but also about fostering respectful dialogue and learning from diverse perspectives. Embrace the journey, embrace the challenge, and continue to refine your skills through practice and continuous learning.

So, why wait? Unlock your potential as a debater and embark on a path of self-improvement with SoME, your trusted partner in professional courses. Explore the range of programs offered and take the first step towards becoming a confident and persuasive communicator.

Start your journey today and let the world hear your voice through the power of debating.

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How To Debate: Mastering the Art of Persuasive Discourse

A debate is a form of persuasive communication involving two sides arguing for and against a specific position. The exercise is structured with many rules and conventions that a debater must follow. Knowing the ins and outs of how to debate is crucial for success.

Being able to engage in a spirited debate is an essential skill in today’s complex and interconnected world. Whether in academic settings, professional environments, or personal conversations, the ability to present and defend your ideas effectively significantly affects your reputation and influence.

This article explores key principles and practical tips for developing your debating prowess . It will enable you to articulate your views persuasively, handle counterarguments gracefully, and foster a constructive exchange of ideas. With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be ready to navigate the realm of debates with confidence and intellectual agility.

Table of Contents

What Are The Five Types Of Debates?

Debating is more than just expressing your opinion; it involves the art of persuasive discourse, where logical reasoning, compelling evidence, and respectful communication converge.

Here are five common types of debates:

Policy debates focus on analyzing and evaluating specific courses of action or proposed policies. Participants delve into the potential benefits, drawbacks, and impacts of different policy options, often employing research and evidence to support their arguments.
Value debates revolve around discussing and weighing moral, ethical, or philosophical principles. Participants explore abstract concepts such as justice, liberty, or equality to establish which values should be prioritized and why.
Fact-based debates center on examining empirical evidence and verifying the truth or accuracy of a given statement or claim. Participants present data, research, and expert opinions to support their arguments, often engaging in a rigorous analysis of facts and evidence to determine the most accurate interpretation.
Team debates involve groups of participants working collaboratively to present arguments and counterarguments. Typically structured as a competitive event, these debates require coordination and strategy, with each team member contributing their unique perspective to put forward a cohesive and persuasive case.
Formal debates adhere to specific rules and protocols, often following established formats such as parliamentary or Lincoln-Douglas debates . These debates emphasize structured discourse, timed speeches, and strict guidelines for rebuttals and cross-examinations.

What Are The Three Main Parts Of A Debate?

The three main parts of a debate are the opening statements, the rebuttals, and the closing statements.

The opening statement s serve as the foundation of a debate. Each participant or team presents their initial arguments and outlines their main points. This is the opportunity to establish a clear position, provide supporting evidence, and capture the audience’s attention.
Opening statements should be concise and persuasive and set the stage for the rest of the debate.
Rebuttals are the heart of a debate, where participants directly address and challenge the arguments put forth by their opponents. During this phase, debaters critically analyze the opposing views, identify flaws or weaknesses, and present counterarguments supported by evidence and logic.
Rebuttals require quick thinking, effective communication, and the ability to dismantle opposing claims while maintaining a respectful tone .
The closing statements are the final opportunity for participants to leave a lasting impression. In this phase, debaters summarize their main points, reiterate their strongest arguments, and emphasize why their position is superior.
Closing statements should leave the audience with a compelling reason to support the debater’s position. You must also reinforce the key points and provide a sense of closure to the debate.

Is Debating A Skill?

Debating is like mental gymnastics that strengthens several areas. Here’s why:

Sharpens Thinking: Deft debaters research, analyze arguments, and build strong cases. This hones critical thinking and the ability to see different perspectives.
Communication Powerhouse: Debating builds confidence in public speaking and clear communication. You learn to organize thoughts, present arguments logically, and use evidence effectively.
Adaptability on Point: Debates are like intellectual sparring matches. You have to think on your feet, respond to counter-arguments, and adjust your approach as needed.

These skills are valuable in any field, from academics to law to business. So, debating isn’t just about winning arguments, it’s about training your brain to be a stronger, more versatile thinking and reasoning tool.

What Are The Five Basic Debating Skills?

Researching and gathering relevant information is a fundamental debating skill. It involves conducting thorough investigations, analyzing sources critically, and understanding different perspectives to develop well-informed arguments supported by evidence.
Critical thinking is crucial for effective debating. It encompasses evaluating arguments objectively, identifying logical fallacies, spotting inconsistencies, and constructing well-reasoned counterarguments. Developing necessary thinking skills enables debaters to approach complex topics with analytical precision and form persuasive responses.
Debating necessitates clear and articulate communication skills. Debaters should be able to express their ideas coherently, use appropriate language and tone, and engage the audience. Active listening and responding thoughtfully to the points raised by opponents are also key components of effective communication in debates.
Persuasive speaking is the art of influencing the audience and convincing them of the validity of one’s arguments. Debaters should employ rhetorical devices, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, to appeal to their listeners’ emotions, credibility, and logic.
Time management is critical in debates with limited time constraints. Debaters must learn to structure their arguments effectively within the given timeframe, allocate appropriate time for each point, and deliver concise and impactful speeches.
Skillful time management ensures that debaters make their strongest case while also leaving sufficient time for rebuttals and closing statements.

Do’s And Don’ts Of A Debate

Know your stuff: Research your topic and build a strong case with evidence.
Be respectful: Focus on ideas, not personal attacks. Listen actively and acknowledge your opponent’s points.
Speak clearly and concisely: Organize your thoughts, use strong arguments, and avoid filler words.
Anticipate rebuttals: Think of how your opponent might counter your arguments and prepare responses.

Don’t:

Get emotional: Stay calm and collected, even if challenged.
Resort to fallacies: Avoid weak arguments like personal attacks or strawman arguments.
Interrupt your opponent: Let them speak and wait for your turn to respond.
Stray from the topic: Stick to the issue at hand and avoid irrelevant tangents.

How To Debate Step By Step?

Understand the topic: Familiarize yourself with the subject matter, including key terms, concepts, and relevant arguments.
Research and gather evidence: Conduct comprehensive research to support your position. Collect data, facts, examples, and expert opinions that strengthen your arguments.
Structure your arguments: Organize your thoughts by outlining your main points and supporting evidence. Ensure a logical flow and coherence in presenting your ideas.
Engage respectfully: Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the debate. Listen actively to your opponents, address their points directly, and avoid personal attacks.
Deliver compelling speeches: Present your arguments confidently using clear and persuasive language . Employ rhetorical devices, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, to appeal to the audience’s emotions, credibility, and logic.
Rebut opposing arguments: During rebuttal, deconstruct and challenge your opponents’ arguments. Offer counterarguments supported by evidence and logical reasoning.
Stay focused and concise: Remember time constraints and prioritize your strongest points. Keep to the topic at hand and avoid digressions.
Adapt to feedback: Pay attention to comments from the audience, judges, or moderators. Adjust your approach, if necessary, and address any weaknesses or gaps in your arguments.
Conclude with impact: Summarize your main points and reiterate the strength of your position in the closing statement. Leave a lasting impression on the audience and reinforce the key takeaways from your arguments.
Reflect and improve: After the debate, analyze areas for improvement, learn from your experiences, and continue to develop your debating skills.

How Do You Begin A Debate?

To begin a debate, start with a compelling opening statement that captures the audience’s attention. Clearly state your position or proposition and briefly summarize your main arguments.

Hook the audience by using a thought-provoking question, a powerful statistic, or a relevant anecdote to establish the importance and relevance of the topic.

How Do You Structure A Debate?

When structuring a debate, begin with an introduction that clearly defines the topic and provides context for the discussion. Next, present your main arguments logically, ensuring each point builds upon the previous one.

Different Roles

High school students often become debate team members, taking on different roles such as the first affirmative, second speaker, or third affirmative.

In a parliamentary debate, the first speaker, often the prime minister, sets the tone by introducing the debate topic and outlining the team’s case. This crucial role requires thorough research, brainstorming new arguments, and presenting them coherently.

Affirmative And Negative Teams

Once the affirmative team presents its arguments, it’s time for the negative team to respond. The negative speaker must listen attentively, analyze their opponent’s arguments, and provide strong refutations.

Avoid constructing straw man arguments and instead engage with the core of the affirmative team’s points. To strengthen their position, the opposing team should use analogies or points of information to challenge the other side effectively.

Speakers use transition phrases to smoothly guide the audience from one point to another, concluding the debate by summarizing key points and reiterating their position.

How Does Teamwork Function In A Debate?

Teamwork plays a vital role in public speaking.

The affirmative speaker should work seamlessly with their team, ensuring a well-structured, logical debate. Each team member contributes to the overall coherence and success of the discussion, taking turns to present their viewpoints and plugs any gaps in the team’s arguments.

Collaboration and effective time management, facilitated by the timekeeper, are key elements in achieving a strong performance.

What Should Be Your Goal In A Debate?

Ultimately, the goal of a debate is to persuade the adjudicator and the audience. Debaters should present the team’s case clearly and confidently.

They can build a solid foundation by analyzing the opponent’s argument and offering well-reasoned refutations. Avoiding filler and staying focused on the main points ensure a persuasive and impactful performance.

Mastering the art of persuasive discourse in debates requires dedication and practice . Aspiring debaters should embrace teamwork, understand the debate structure, and hone their research, refutation, and public speaking skills.

How Do You Debate Successfully?

Thorough preparation is the key to defeating your opposing team! Conduct research and gather evidence to support your arguments. Develop strong critical thinking skills to evaluate and respond to opposing viewpoints effectively.

Communicate confidently and respectfully, utilizing persuasive speaking techniques and positive body language (make eye contact!) to engage the audience and convey the strength of your position.

How To End A Debate

Ending a debate gracefully shows respect and leaves a lasting impression. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Summarize Your Key Points: Briefly remind everyone of your main arguments and why they’re strongest.
Reiterate Your Stance: Clearly restate your position on the topic.
Address Your Opponent (Gracefully): Acknowledge their strengths (if possible!), but explain why yours hold more weight.
Conclude with a Broader Point: If appropriate, connect your debate topic to a larger issue or implication.
End on a Positive Note: Thank your opponent and the audience for their time and engagement.

By following these steps, you can leave the debate on a high note, demonstrating your sportsmanship and the strength of your arguments.

Adam Howarth

Adam covers the topic of Public Speaking for Digital Authority. From his first experience of oratory with his school debating society to his more recent experiences of promoting the local business scene in Wrexham, Wales, he has always been involved in public speaking.

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How to prepare for a debate.

Silence falls on the room (unusually for debating). Everyone looks up, at one person, who for that moment has absolute power. She reads out a sentence, very, very slowly. She reads it out again. We hear nothing but the scratching of pens. She gives a signal. Everyone runs out of the room. That's how it is at short preparation or 'short prep' debates, where debaters are given 15 minutes to prepare a motion they have not heard until that moment. It's a pretty scary prospect, having to speak in front of a room full of people, half of whom will be disagreeing with every word you say, about something you knew nothing about until 15 minutes ago. Even more so when your phone and / or tablet has been surgically removed from you (as is the rule in all debating competitions), and you have nothing to rely on but your naked brains and those of your debating partner. Every minute - every second - counts in that prep time. So, how to make the best use of those precious quarter of an hour? Get to the room as fast as you can (this could easily use up two minutes, depending on how big the building you are competing in is and how good your sense of direction is). Make sure you have:

Several pens or pencils
Highlighters
Index cards
A bottle of water

Now you're in the room, alone with each other. What to do first? You should both keep quiet for five minutes. Why? Surely we should be discussing, sharing our ideas? Well, yes, but you have to have some ideas to share first. It's quite possible you will never have thought about the motion topic in your life. Even if the topic is one on which you have both deep knowledge and passionate convictions, you need some time to gather your thoughts. And if you gather your thoughts separately, you'll have twice as many thoughts by the end of the prep time. So, for five minutes silence should fall again, as you scratch away with your pens.

What are you writing about?

You need to be asking yourself questions; big questions. There are seven big questions which apply to every debate motion, which you should always ask. 1. What is the debate about? 2. What do we have to prove? 3. What do they have to prove? 4. What will be changed if the motion is passed? 5. Who are the actors? 6. Who are the stakeholders? 7. What is the mechanism? Write or type these questions out on a piece of card and bring them to every debate. (NB these questions only work with what we call 'policy debates', that is ones where the motion begins 'This house would ...' We'll cover how to prepare for 'principle debates', where the motion begins 'This house believes ...' in a later post.)

How might you answer these questions in practice?

Let's take an example; preparing the motion 'This house would tax meat', with you proposing. It's a nice big, broad motion (only four words long) with lots of scope for interpretation. 1. What is the debate about? This question is asking you to cut through all the practicalities and focus on the essential point of principle. Here, the debate is about whether the state has the right to intervene in the market for the benefit of society as a whole. It's about which is more important; the individual or the collective. 2. What do we have to prove? You are proposing a change to the status quo. First you have to prove there is a problem with the status quo; then you have to prove that your proposed change will solve the problem. There will always be both costs and benefits associated with any change, and you have to prove that the benefits of your proposed change will outweigh the benefits. So, you have to prove that: consumption of meat has bad consequences; taxing it is an effective way to lessen those consequences; the benefits of taxing meat will be greater than the costs. 3. What do they have to prove? As they're defending the status quo, they have to prove either that the status quo works and does not need changing, or that it does need changing but that your way of changing it will either not work or that its costs will be greater than its benefits. (They may also choose to propose a better way of dealing with the problem presented by the motion.) So, they have to prove either that the consumption of meat is not a bad thing (or is even a good thing), or that it is a bad thing but that taxing meat is not the way to deal with it, either because it will not work, or because the costs will be greater than the benefits. 4. What will be changed if the motion is passed? Most debate motions say, 'The world will be a better place if we take this action.' So, what will the world look like if your proposed action happens? It's worth considering both short and long (and sometimes medium) term effects. In the short term, everyone will eat less meat, and the government would have more money. In the long term, climate change will be greatly slowed down now that thousands of acres of land are filled with health giving plants rather than farting cows, and everyone will be slimmer and healthier thanks to their vegetable rich diet; those few who persist in eating meat will be treated for the diseases brought on by their diet in shining new hospitals paid for by the tax on their addiction. 5. Who are the actors? This means who is going to make the change happen. Here, it is the government, as they are the ones who are going to be setting and collecting the tax. 6. Who are the stakeholders? This means who is effected by the change. Here, it is the government collecting (and spending) the tax; meat farmers and retailers who are likely to see their income fall; consumers who will see the price of meat rise. 7. What is the mechanism? This means how will you make the change happen. Here, you get into the nitty gritty. How much tax? 5% of the price? 10%? 25%? Will you add it to the price in shops, or to the price retailers pay to farmers? Which is most likely to achieve the benefits you seek while minimising the costs? Having a high tax rate would be more likely to put people off buying meat; having a low tax rate would make it easier to get popular support for the measure, and would make black market evasion of the tax less likely.

You need to have answers to these questions jotted down in the first two minutes. Yes, two minutes. You have to think fast as a debater. Next, you need to take up another sheet of paper and start brainstorming arguments for both sides (still without talking to your debating partner). Do this for three minutes. In this three minutes, you need to switch off the part of your brain that keeps telling you that what you're doing isn't very good. Don't worry whether the arguments are good or not; just get them down, as many of them as possible. Quantity is more important than quality at this stage. Selection comes later. The five minutes are up. You look up from your notepads. Your eyes meet. What do you do now? First, you share your answers to the big questions, and make sure you agree on the answers. If you're speaking first for the proposition, agree how you're going to define the motion (see our earlier post here on how to do that). With the big answers clear in your minds, you can proceed to the arguments. Go through the ones for your side of the motion first. Choose the six most persuasive. Then rank them by persuasiveness. The first speaker gets the top three in order of persuasiveness, the second speaker gets the next three in order of persuasiveness. Note, no more than three arguments each. Time to reach for the index cards now. Take one for each of your three arguments. On it, write a headline, which should be no more than a word or at most a phrase, and short points on how you're going to expand on it. With the motion we've picked, one of your cards might look like this: HEALTH Excessive consumption of meat = major cause of heart disease and diabetes Taxing it discourages consumption, nudges consumers towards healthier choices by making them cheaper Heavy taxation on tobacco = massive reduction in smoking = major health benefits; taxing meat = same. The smallness of index cards has two advantages: 1. It makes them easier to handle while you are speaking, ensuring you spend more time making eye contact and less time fumbling with your notes. 2. It ensures your notes are concise and focused. Boiling your speech down to three index cards will also help you to signpost it better; see our earlier post here on how to signpost. I'll just take a moment here to remind you that you should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER write out a debate speech in full. That isn't debating; it's essay writing. You can be good at writing essays and good at debating, and you can learn a lot about how to write essays from doing debating, but they are NOT THE SAME THING. I hope I made that clear. This sorting out of your own arguments should take another five minutes. Now it's time to consider the other side's possible arguments and how to rebut them. Do this by taking turns, one person stating the arguments, the other one rebutting them. As well as working out what you will say in rebuttal, this will both get you into the mind set of the other side (which is vital), while also sharpening up your rebuttal responses. It's a bit like footballers passing a ball around to warm up just before kick off. Your final task is to find the point of clash. See our earlier post here on the point of clash. This should be the thing you keep in mind all the way through the debate, your guiding star. You need to keep coming back to it, and keep showing the judge that you are on the winning side of it, particularly if you are speaking last. Very often, it will be the answer to the first question: what is the debate about? Here, the point of clash is the right of the state to intervene to protect the health of the community against the individual's right to make their own choices. You have to show that the damage that meat eating causes to health and the climate outweighs the loss of freedom entailed by a tax on meat. Say the point of clash to each other a few times, as a kind of mantra, to make sure it is at the front of your mind. By now, your brain should be singing, and you should be ready to talk for England (literally, if you are representing England in the Worlds Debating Competition). If you're feeling nervous, embrace it. As every actor, performer and sportsperson knows, that adrenalin rush will sharpen up your performance and make you more focused. Gather up your notes, take a swig of water, and head for the debating chamber. Into battle ...

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The Power of Speech & Debate Education

Debate is a valuable activity for students of all skill levels. Debate teaches useful skills for other academic pursuits and life more generally. Most obviously, debaters build confidence speaking in public and expressing their ideas eloquently. That comfort speaking in front of others is useful in so many areas of life, from interviews to school presentations to discussions in college seminars.

But the benefits of debating are not limited to the skills built while students are speaking—the preparation for competition teaches critical thinking and research skills, as well. As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” Debate tests and builds that ability by forcing students to see both sides of issues. Debaters flex their analytical muscles, learning to find the weak points in opponent’s arguments. They learn to explain their own ideas and assess different viewpoints, whether in a debate round, a political discussion, a classroom, or a written essay. And debate requires students to research their ideas and support them with evidence, teaching them to conduct research and assess sources. According to Arne Duncan, then-Secretary of Education , debate is “uniquely suited” to build skills required of a modern citizen, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Those skills help students express their thoughts better in their academic work and their college applications (not to mention around your dinner table!). The College Board recently revamped the SAT test to focus more on exactly the sorts of skills debate teaches. As the New York Times explained , students taking the new version of the test must write “a critical response to a specific argument” based on analysis rather than personal experience. Debaters are used to responding to unfamiliar arguments in time-sensitive situations; thinking critically about a written passage on the SAT is not so different from responding to an opponent’s argument in a debate round. Debaters likewise outscore non-debaters on every section of the ACT . Studies across the country have found that high school debate improves reading ability, grades, school attendance, self-esteem, and interest in school. Duffin, Frank, Latitudes in Learning, “Debate Across the Curriculum Results” (2005). Many universities even offer scholarships specifically for college debaters .

For those who commit to speech and debate, it offers a lifetime of benefits. Forbes published an article titled “How to Find the Millennials Who Will Lead Your Company,” suggesting that the leaders of the future are ex-debaters. As that article notes, debate teaches “how to persuade, how to present clearly, and how to connect with an audience,” exactly the skills businesses look for in their young employees. You’ll find ex-debaters in every area of public life, from Bruce Springsteen to Oprah Winfrey to Nelson Mandela. 60% of Congressional representatives participated in debate, as well as at least a third of the Supreme Court. There are ex-debaters excelling in business, law, politics, academia, and many other fields.

Perhaps most important of all, debate is fun! You may have to cajole your son or daughter to go to their test prep class or do their homework, but debate makes learning a game; students build their critical thinking and speaking skills without it ever feeling like work. Debate gives students a rare opportunity to take ownership over their own intellectual development. And throughout the years of practice and competition, debate builds lifelong friendships and community, teaching teamwork as well.

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Debate Speech

Debate speech generator.

Debate. What would be the first thing that pops in our minds when we think of that? To some, it is an intellectual argument on about almost anything. From various concepts such as love and the reason of living in the first place to something serious such as political views of a person. Merriam-Webster defines debate as a contention by words or arguments. In terms of law or government, it is the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure. A debate can also serve as a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides.

Speech Templates
Welcome Speech

Although the concept of a debate is that it does not always have to be so formal and that the exchange of ideas can be casually done, there are occasions that it will have to be formal especially when representing your school for a inter-school competition or simply for a debate class. You may also see motovational speech .

Considering that the topic has already been assigned to you and your group mates, it is important that you begin preparing for your debate with the opposing party. Here are some examples listed down.

1. Preparing for the Debate Speech

2. research the topic very thoroughly with credible information..

Brainstorm the topic and research before you sit down to write. Write out a pro and con list. If you are on a debate team, do this together. Each member could discuss the pro and con lists, and then strike the weaker reasons until you are left with three or four reasons that seem strongest in support or opposition.You may also see self introduction speech .
It also helps to spend time in the library since not every resource material can be found on the internet.
You and the team would also want to deal with the strongest arguments on the other side in your speech as ignoring the other side’s best arguments can weaken your rhetorical appeal.You may also see informative speech .

3. Write an outline of your speech.

A simple debate outline should at least contain these four parts: An introduction, your thesis argument, your key points to back your stance up, and a conclusion. For unknown terminologies, prepare a definition in advance so that you can have an answer when the judges ask you may also see presentation speech .
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.

Writing the Debate Speech

1. write an introduction that is catchy and interesting..

Who does not love a good and catchy introduction? But for these kinds of situations, it is best to stay mindful as the whole point of this debate lies in the formality sense which is something to be taken seriously.

For instance, a simple good morning to all parties involved and witnessing the said debate will suffice. There is no need for extra remarks or commentaries if not asked.You may also see orientation speech
its critical to always make a good impression, especially to the judges as this will make them think that the debater is persuasive speech. In order to achieve this, one technique in writing a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially when the topic depicts a present situation.
Some introduction speech can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges. Be mindful when using humor though as it involves risks that can eventually lead to awkward silences if not done right. Find a relevant specific that illustrates the underlying point.

2. Outline where you stand very clearly.

Make sure that you point out which stance your team belongs to. Since this is a debate, being part of the positive or negative stance does not serve as an advantage for as long as you are able make your points get through the judges and the audience, then it is enough.You may also see speech examples for students .

Don’t muddle on your assigned stance. 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. The audience also should not have to wait until the end to find out. Make your stance very clear, and do it early on. You may also see declamation speech .

3. Make key points to back up your stance.

As early as possible, you have to identify the main key points found in your speech.

One good way to do this is to back up your position with three to four strong points of supporting argumentation. More than one to two key points are required to back up your stance.
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 (perhaps 3 ½ minutes to 30 seconds for an opening and for a conclusion, depending on the given rules of the debate).

4. Develop your key points.

Even as you deliver your key points in the said debate, it still cannot be without substance. Back every single one of your key points up with examples, statistics and other resources that can be found during your research.

Focus on the causes of the problem, the effects of the problem, expert opinion, examples, and statistics. Then after that, present a 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. You may also see debate speech. You may also see graduation speech .

Do not only attempt to appeal to the motives and emotions of the listener, but also to their sense of fair play, desire to save, to be helpful, to care about the community, and others with a light touch.Try using rhetorical questions which make your opponents consider the validity of their point. Consider irony which undermines their point and makes you seem more mature and intelligent, simile which gives them something to relate to, humor which gets the audience on your side when done well, and repetition which reinforces your point. You may also see inspirational speech .

5. 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. You may also tribute speech .

Aristotle believed that speakers are more persuasive 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.

There are two ways to use logic – inductive (the premises are viewed as supplying strong evidence for the truth of the conclusion) and deductive (if all premises are true, the terms are clear, and the rules of deductive logic are followed, then the conclusion is necessarily true). You may also see wedding speech .

We hope you enjoyed browsing through our debate speech examples. Debating is both an entertaining an serious activity especially when tackling issues on humanity and the natural environment. Despite what topics you choose, there is a standard forma. You may also see youth speech .

Text prompt

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Create a Debate Speech on the pros and cons of school uniforms

Generate a Debate Speech on the effectiveness of the death penalty

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How to Begin a Debate

Last Updated: March 28, 2023 Fact Checked

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 9 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 993,371 times.

Opening a debate the right way will make your audience more interested and help you win your argument. Before your debate , take the time to prepare a solid opening that will win people over.

Grabbing the Audience's Attention

Your story should capture the essence of your debate . It could explore, for example, the challenges you have faced in relation to the topic, how you overcame these challenges, and the lessons you learned.
For example, "As a person who suffers from seizures, medical marijuana was a saving grace. My family and I had to move across to the country in order for me to get treated, but it was worth the risk. My seizures decreased from five seizures a day to only one seizure per week."
Make sure that the story comes from your heart rather than your head. If you're just regurgitating a story from memory, it's not going to land with the audience.

You can ask, for example, “Would you like to see a loved one suffer for no reason at all?”

You can say, for example, “A billion tons of plastic are floating in the ocean right now. That is enough plastic to make an island the size of Hawaii.” Then, proceed to talk about the issue and explain to your audience why your resolution is the best one.

For example, imagine you are giving a speech on why you think higher education is unnecessary for succeeding in life. You could open with, “Mark Twain once said, ‘Don’t let school interfere with your education.’”
Make sure that quote comes from your heart and feels authentic. It must speak to you and your audience while also making a point.

Step 5 Use a prop or a creative visual aid.

For example, if you are arguing that climate change is real, show a before and after picture of a glacier that has been affected by excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Beginning the Debate

Identify the key terms in your argument and look up their definitions in a range of dictionaries. Choose the most appropriate definition for each word. You want to pick a definition that is neutral and conventional.
Your definitions can be literal, as well as contextualized. Contextualized definitions add examples of how the concept applies to the real world. For example, a contextualized definition of money would show that money is used to buy services, such as food and gas.

For example, “My team and I will show you the need, practicality, and benefits of medicinal marijuana. Together we will show that thousands of patients, including young children, who suffer from seizures, find relief in medicinal marijuana. Studies show that medicinal marijuana reduces instances of seizures by 80%. Furthermore, the side effects of medicinal marijuana are not as severe as the side effects that come with conventional forms of medication used to treat seizures, particularly for children. We will show that medicinal marijuana is a practical, safe, and cost-effective solution for patients and their families.”

In order to demonstrate that your team's policy will work, use policies that have already been enacted as the basis of your policy. For example, you can highlight that a ban on using cellphones while driving is similar to the ban on drinking while driving.
Try to focus on three important reasons for why the policy is needed or needs to change. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

Presenting the Debate

Greet your audience by saying, “Good morning faculty and staff. The topic of today’s debate is student parking,” or “Good morning teachers and students. Thank you for taking the time to come to this debate. Today, the topic is student parking.”

State what your side is arguing by saying, “We believe enrolled students should not have to pay for a parking pass to park on campus,” or “We believe enrolled students should pay for a parking pass to park on campus.”
Explain the speakers' roles by saying, “As the first speaker, I will be defining key terms and outlining our main argument. Our second speaker will explain the supporting reasons for our argument, and our third speaker will summarize our argument.”

Remember to maintain eye contact with an audience at the end of a sentence.
Hold eye contact with an individual for only three to five seconds, then move on to someone else.
Practice holding eye contact with someone you know for a minute or two. Repeat the exercise 5 or 6 times—that will really help a lot.

Also, remember to take pauses. Pauses allow you to catch your breath and plan what you will say next. They also allow your audience to process what you have just said.

Debate Help

Expert Q&A

Give yourself a pep talk by looking at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself that you're awesome, that you're a great speaker, that you believe in yourself, and that you appreciate yourself. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 3

↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stories
↑ https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-rhetoric/
↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/quantitative
↑ https://positivepsychology.com/positive-psychology-quotes/
↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/businesscommunication/chapter/11-4-visual-aids/
↑ https://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/summarizing
↑ https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide
↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201404/5-secret-powers-eye-contact
↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201911/do-you-talk-too-fast-how-to-slow-down

About This Article

The best way to start a debate is to open with a bold rhetorical question, a touching personal story that’s relevant to your argument, or a shocking statistic. Once you have your audience’s attention, define the key terms you’ll be using in your debate and summarize your case. For tips on presenting your argument, like how long to maintain eye contact with audience members, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Debate — Questions, Structure, and Topics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Instant Debate Speech Maker Online

Debates are an excellent opportunity to develop many personal skills, become a more open-minded person, and learn new information. Through this activity, students improve critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork skills, increase their self-esteem, and learn to disagree with others.

Preparing for a debate can take a lot of time, which is why our team has created this tool and guide for you. With our debate speech maker, you no longer have to sit for hours and think about how to formulate your argument correctly! Also, on this page you will learn many useful facts about debates and get tips for preparing for them.

📢 Introduction to the Tool

🗣️ What Is a Debate?

👍 debate maker benefits, ✏️ how to write a debate speech, 🔗 references, 📢 debate script maker: an introduction.

If you’ve decided to participate in a debate, you probably know that this activity requires a lot of preparation. Sometimes, you may receive the topic of your debate in advance so that you have time to prepare thoroughly for it. But also, you may be given the subject on the day of the debate, and then you’ll have much less time to prepare. In either case, our debate maker will be an indispensable assistant!

When comparing AI vs human writers, artificial intelligence excels in the speed of content creation, although it loses in creativity. Unlike when using other AI chat bots, you don't have to bother with creating successful prompts. Using this tool is simple - to instantly make a speech, you’ll need to take these four steps:

Type in the topic of the debate.
State your position and audience.
Indicate whether you are replying to an opponent.
Click “Generate” and get your result!

A debate is a structured and formalized argumentative exchange between two or more opposing sides . While this practice is usually associated with the election season , it can also be often found in schools or colleges. Participants, categorized as either the “pro” or “con” side, systematically present and defend their perspectives on a given topic. They use evidence to back up their claims and. Each side takes turns articulating arguments and responding to their opponent's points.

The primary objective of a debate is persuasion - convincing the opposition and the audience. Although debates often lack a declared winner, they may conclude with a vote or judgment from adjudicators in formal settings. Informal debates can persist until one side concedes.

Debate Terminology Examples for Students

Here, you can become familiar with the basic terms. It’ll be beneficial for you to learn them to make it easier to grasp the debate structure further.

Adjudicator - An impartial observer who evaluates the debate. Such moderators provide feedback on the quality of arguments and overall performance. Also, they can contribute to determining the winner in formal debates.
An affirmative - A team or speaker supporting the motion in a debate. Affirmatives present arguments in favor of the proposition. They aim to convince the audience or adjudicators of the motion's validity.
Motion - The central topic, idea, or statement being debated. The motion frames the discussion and determines the stances of the affirmative and opposition sides. Debaters construct arguments either in support or against this subject.
Chairperson - The person responsible for moderating and overseeing the debate. Their goal is to maintain order and ensure adherence to the rules. The chairperson may introduce speakers and the motion.
Card - A card is a paragraph or several paragraphs taken from an authoritative journalistic or scholarly source that proves the validity of a particular argument. It should be a verbatim quotation without additions or paraphrasing. It is important to explain the quote and how it relates to the argument.
Floor - The general audience or participants who are not actively engaged in the debate but may have the opportunity to pose questions. They can make contributions during designated segments. The floor adds an interactive element to the discussion.
Opposition/a Negative - A team or speaker taking an opposing stance on the core topic. The opposition presents arguments countering the proposition. Such arguments should demonstrate flaws in the affirmative's position and persuade the audience that the motion is unsupported.
The first speaker - The initial speaker of a team. They introduce and establish the main arguments supporting or opposing the motion. Their speech should set the tone for the team's position and outline the critical points to be developed by subsequent speakers.
The second speaker - The second speaker introduces additional evidence and reinforces the team's position. They aim to strengthen their affirmative/opposing case and respond to the arguments from the other team.
The third speaker - The last speaker should summarize the team's key points. They may also respond to opposition’s reasons raised during the debate. The goal is to leave a lasting impression on the adjudicators before the discussion concludes.
Reply speeches - Reply speeches are the concluding words from both the affirmative and opposition sides. These speeches are often shorter, not more than three minutes. Such speeches are the last chance to influence the overall impression, so they should strongly support your ideas.

What Does the Maker of the Argument Do in a Debate?

In a debate, the first speaker, whether on the affirmative or opposition side, should:

Formulate a clear and concise stance on the motion.
Organize arguments logically, presenting a structured case.
Support points with relevant facts and examples.
Convince adjudicators and the audience of the credibility of their position.

The Structure of a Debate

Whether an academic debate or a parliamentary one, the structure and ground rules essentially remain the same.

In this section, we'll briefly explain how your proceedings are going to look like:

Gathering the sides . At this stage, you should determine the teams and their participants. They are divided into affirmative and negative sides. As a rule, the debates should include three speakers , who will take turns and, at each stage, strengthen their position. All participants should meet 15 minutes before the start to prepare materials .
Starting the debate . Participants should determine the debate’s time limit, as speeches cannot last nonstop. Usually, each speaker is given a maximum of 3 minutes for their presentation. At the beginning, the speakers should introduce themselves. The duration of the answer is regulated by the timekeeper , who should give a bell 30 seconds before the end of the speaker's time to start summarizing.
Debating the topic . The core of the debate involves a structured exchange between the sides. The first speaker for the affirmative introduces the motion, presenting key arguments. The opposition's first speaker responds, presenting counterarguments. This pattern continues with subsequent speakers building upon and responding to the points raised. The debate format could also include cross-examination or questioning segments.
Finishing the debate . Both sides deliver final counter-speeches summarizing key arguments. The adjudicators then assess the overall performance of each side. The persuasiveness of the arguments presented assists in the audience’s decision-making. Participants may engage in discussions and receive feedback . After the debate, each team is given the opportunity to thank everyone in attendance.

As you've probably already realized, getting ready for such a significant event will take a lot of time. You'll need to gather your thoughts, stay level-headed, and be assertive in your stance. This preparation process can be quite overwhelming. That's why our debate script maker is the perfect solution!

This debate writer has many advantages:

Our tool is a great way to save time and get that initial burst of inspiration for your debate. However, that is just the beginning. You will still need to edit and finalize this speech. Additionally, you may find it helpful to learn how to write one yourself.

The following steps will show you how to improve your speech and prepare you for your future debates:

Compelling beginning . The opening of your speech is of the utmost significance. Your task is to captivate the audience and create the overall atmosphere of the speech. We suggest using a hook at the very beginning. It can be a question or a fact intended to capture the attention of your opposition and the audience. You could also use a quote from a famous person, an interesting statistic, a rhetorical question, or even a relevant personal anecdote.
Presenting your arguments . This is the time to talk about your position on the topic. Be sure to formulate a concise thesis statement . After that, you should provide the arguments that support it. Explain each point clearly to avoid misunderstanding among the audience.
Explaining the position . Follow a structure where each of your arguments is followed by evidence and then justification. Proof builds credibility and engages the listeners. Ensure that you have data only from relevant and reliable sources.
Summarizing . In the concluding part of your persuasive speech, you should reiterate your thesis and essential arguments. Emphasize the value of your position. It’s your last opportunity to impress the judge and the listeners. Round it off by offering a provocative question, a recommendation, or talking about your predictions for the future of the subject.
Confidence and consistency . After writing your speech, you should refine its structure so that you have smooth transitions from one idea to the next. Use connecting words to tie your arguments together. Afterward, practice your speech and make sure it's clear . Your gestures, facial expressions, and intonation are ways to communicate with listeners. Be convincing but not pushy, and use a moderate pace.

We wish you good luck in your debates! And if you need to create a different kind of speech, try our informative speech generator .

Updated: Jan 26th, 2024

What is a debate? – Vanesa Velkova, European Commission
How debating works – Law Society of Scotland
Debating: A Brief Introduction for Beginners – Debating SA Incorporated
Debate Timing & Structure - Debating Matters
How do you structure your debate speech to capture the attention and interest of your audience? - LinkedIn
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Our debate speech maker tool is the perfect solution for those who wish to deliver the perfect response to their opponents. Easily generate a speech on any topic and wow the audience with your eloquence. Additionally, learn all about debates, their structure, and find useful tips.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 55 great debate topics for any project.

General Education

A debate is a formal discussion about a topic where two sides present opposing viewpoints. Debates follow a specific structure: each side is given time to speak either for or against the topic at hand.

Many students study debate in high school to improve their speaking skills. As a debater, you learn how to clearly structure and present an argument. The skills you develop as a debater will help you on everything from a college admissions interview to a job presentation.

Selecting debate topics is one of the most important parts of debating. In this article, we’ll explain how to select a good debate topic and give suggestions for debate topics you can use.

How to Select Good Debate Topics

A good debate topic is one that lets the participants and the audience learn about both sides of an issue. Consider the following factors when selecting a debate topic:

Interest: Are you interested in the topic? Would the topic be interesting to your fellow classmates, as well as to the audience listening to the debate? Selecting a topic that you’re interested in makes the preparation part of the debate more exciting , as well as the debate more lively.

Argument Potential: You want to choose a debate topic that has solid argument potential. If one side is clearly right, or if there isn’t a lot of available information, you’ll have a hard time crafting a solid debate.

Availability of Data: Data points make an argument more robust. You’ll want to select a topic with lots of empirical data that you can pull from to bolster your argument.

Now that we know how to select a debate topic, let’s look at a list of good debate topics.

Debate Topics Master List

If you’re searching for your next debate topic, here are some suggestions.

Social and Political Issues Debate Topics

All people should have the right to own guns.
The death penalty should be abolished.
Human cloning should be legalized.
All drugs should be legalized.
Animal testing should be banned.
Juveniles should be tried and treated as adults.
Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today.
Violent video games should be banned.
The minimum wage should be $15 per hour.
All people should have Universal Basic Income.
Sex work should be legal.
Countries should be isolationist.
Abortion should be banned.
Every citizen should be mandated to perform national public service.
Bottled water should be banned.
Plastic bags should be banned.

Education Debate Topics

Homework should be banned.
Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.
Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.
School uniforms should be required.
Standardized testing should be abolished.
All students should have an after-school job or internship.
School should be in session year-round.
All high school athletes should be drug tested.
Detention should be abolished.
All student loan debt should be eliminated.
Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
All schools should have armed security guards.
Religion should be taught in schools.
All schools should be private schools.
All students should go to boarding schools.
Sexual education should be mandatory in schools.
Public college should be tuition free.
All teachers should get tenure.
All school districts should offer school vouchers.

Health Debate Topics

Healthcare should be universal.
Cosmetic procedures should be covered by health insurance.
All people should be vegetarians.
Euthanasia should be banned.
The drinking age should be 18.
Vaping should be banned.
Smoking should be banned in all public places.
People should be legally required to get vaccines.
Obesity should be labeled a disease.
Sexual orientation is determined at birth.
The sale of human organs should be legalized.
Birth control should be for sale over the counter.

Technology Debate Topics

Social media has improved human communication.
The development of artificial intelligence will help humanity.
Individuals should own their own DNA.
Humans should invest in technology to explore and colonize other planets.
Governments should invest in alternative energy sources.
Net neutrality should be restored.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies should be encouraged or banned.
Alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels.
Cell phone radiation is dangerous and should be limited.

How to Prepare for a Debate

Once you’ve selected your debate topic, the next step is to prepare for your debate. Follow these steps as you get ready to take the podium.

Read Your Evidence

The most important step to building your debate confidence is to familiarize yourself with the evidence available. You’ll want to select reputable sources and use empirical data effectively.

The more well read on your topic you are, the better you’ll be able to defend your position and anticipate the other side’s arguments.

Anticipate the Other Side’s Arguments

As part of your debate, you’ll need to rebut the other side’s arguments. It’s important to prepare ahead of time to guess what they’ll be talking about. You’ll bolster your own side’s argument if you’re able to effectively dismantle what the other side is saying.

Plan to Fill Your Speech Time

Each speaker at a debate is limited to a certain amount of time. You should plan to use every second of the time that you’re allotted. Make sure you practice your talking points so that you know you’re within the time frame. If you’re short, add in more evidence.

Practice to Build Confidence

It can be scary to take the stage for a debate! Practicing ahead of time will help you build confidence. Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Even if your argument is great, it won’t matter if no one can understand it.

Final Thoughts

Debate is a great way to hone your public speaking skills and get practice crafting and defending an argument. Use these debate topics if you're searching for a focus for your next debate.

What's Next?

Looking for ways to keep the debate going in non-academic life? Then you'll love our list of 101 "this or that" questions to argue over with your friends.

Thinking about how you can use your argumentative skills in a future career? Read up on the five steps to becoming a lawyer to see if that's a path you want to pursue.

Getting ready to take an AP test? Here’s a list of practice tests for every AP exam, including the AP literature exam .

It can be hard to schedule time to study for an AP test on top of your extracurriculars and normal classwork. Check out this article on when you need to start studying for your AP tests to make sure you’re staying on track.

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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New voices upend the status quo in Portland’s high school speech and debate scene

Updated: May. 25, 2024, 3:05 p.m. |
Published: May. 25, 2024, 7:00 a.m.

For High School Speech and Debate, a Broader Playing Field

Franklin High students Frankie Silverstein, far left, and Luke Susswood, both juniors, smile as they wait for their medals at the state speech and debate championship. The duo captured first in policy this year. Lucas Helberg/Youth Voices

Lucas Helberg | Youth Voices

For years in Oregon, the speech and debate scene has traditionally been dominated by wealthier public and private schools .

But over the last few years many Portland area high schools that serve higher amounts of low-income students and more diverse populations have made it clear that they are coming for their crowns.

Many have launched new teams with help from the Portland Urban Debate League , a nonprofit whose core mission is to address “opportunity gaps in education ” via support for speech and debate programs with a focus on policy debate .

The league currently includes six Portland area high schools : McDaniel, Roosevelt, and Franklin, all in Portland Public Schools; Parkrose High in Northeast Portland; Centennial High in Gresham; and Reynolds High in Troutdale.

“Giving schools access to debate is at the forefront of what we’re doing,” Portland Urban Debate League Executive Director Mallory Copeland said. “We take care of the things that tend to cost teams the most money or require the most parental participation. We provide all of the judging so that makes it a bit easier on the coaching side to not have to constantly reach out to parents to ask them to fill the gaps.”

Researchers from the University of Virginia and Harvard University have found that just one year of participation in policy debate can have a bigger impact on middle and high school student English test scores than higher-cost interventions, like frequent, small-group tutoring. Their findings come from a 10-year study of schools in the Boston Debate League , a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that serves a similar demographic to the Portland Urban Debate League.

“We found pretty large impacts for a high school intervention than you would tend to typically find,” said Beth Schueler, an assistant professor of education and public policy at the University of Virginia, a former college debater herself who worked on the study .

Among the league’s biggest successes this year : Franklin High juniors Frankie Silverstein and Luke Susswood took first place in policy at the state speech and debate championships, winning out over traditional powerhouses in the Portland area.

“It definitely does feel especially cool,” said Silverstein, who is also currently the Portland Public Schools board’s student representative , of their win. “I think sometimes there’s this narrative in the halls at Franklin, people are frustrated [because] they feel like they don’t have as many resources (as other schools) or it just feels like consistently it’s the same teams winning athletics or academic events over and over again.”

In their final elimination round, the Franklin team faced off against Oregon Episcopal High School, an elite private K-12 school.

In that final round, Silverstein and Susswood argued in favor of a negative income tax while the Oregon Episcopal School team made the case for universal basic income .

Susswood and Silverstein said the league played a critical role in their victory at state this year.

Most high schools of similar sizes — Franklin is the second largest high school in Portland Public Schools with nearly 2,000 students — that have speech and debate and mock trial typically have different or multiple coaches for both programs. Franklin only has one main coach for both programs.

But thanks to help from the Portland Urban Debate League, the team has gotten much needed additional support, the players said. Copeland, the league’s executive director, helped coach the team this year and provided additional support.

“The league has done so much for us and helped increase bandwidth. Our coach, Mr. Halberg, is also the law advisor and also does mock trial,” said Silverstein. “So he’s very, very busy. I think having somebody else there to support him has been amazing.”

Silverstein and Susswood aren’t the only ones who come from schools that made significant inroads against established schools this year at the state speech and debate championships.

Centennial High School’s Van Phan took first in the Literacy Interpretation for English Language Learners event , an event exclusively for those for whom English was not their first language, in which students memorize and recite literature from poems or short stories from children’s books.

Phan’s body language made her stand out from the crowd, coach Aidan Muth said.

“She brought a lot of fun, really just a lot of like performance elements to it,” said Muth, who is a social studies teacher at Centennial. “(Using) body language and gestures to help portray the story … I think was something that when I saw her and the other finalists (really) helped set her apart.”

Aili Deibert, in orange, poses for a photo with other state qualifiers on her team and her coach Shawn Swanson, far left. She captured a sixth place win in poetry at the state championships this year. Courtesy of Shawn Swanson / Roosevelt High

Aili Deibert, a senior at Roosevelt High, took sixth place in poetry at the state championship, the second time that she has placed at state in that event, after a third place finish her sophomore year.

Roosevelt coach and English teacher Shawn Swanson said her two state wins in poetry are both firsts for the school.

“She just loves poetry … she’s very self motivated,” said Swanson. “Finding the poems and arranging them has just been her own initiative.”

Swanson also emphasized that his team is very dependent on individual donations to support travel to tournaments with additional support from the league.

Phan’s and Deibert’s wins aren’t the only accomplishments for the Portland Urban Debate League this year.

Seryca Monroe, a junior who attends Reynolds High took second place in the after dinner speaking event this year.

Her speech centered on what she said was educationally endorsed homophobia and discrimination towards queer education in some states. She said that she focused mainly on what she and opponents of a Florida law passed two years ago call ‘Don’t Say Gay’ amidst other anti-LGBTQ legislation that is propping up across the nation . She spoke from her experience as a child of two moms, she said.

“This (law) tells kids that are part of this community or have family who are that they are not worth discussing or existing,” Monroe said of the Florida law.

She said she is the first person at her school to ever place at the state speech and debate championships.

“I think this definitely sets the precedent that people want to do better because having the recognition that comes for the team feels really good for all of us,” Monroe said.

Monroe said resources from the Portland Urban Debate League like its free summer camp were key to her success.

“I got speech help for two weeks at the camp,” she said. “They have mentors that are in speech and debate at Lewis & Clark (College) that come in and help you.”

Monroe said the league goes to great lengths to support students even if they cannot go to the camp. One of the mentors from the camp is working with her virtually over the summer to help get some of the same support she got last summer.

As at Roosevelt, Monroe said that her team is also very dependent on individual donations and support from the Portland Urban Debate League.

“We are severely underfunded,” Monroe said. “We’ve had to go to multiple school board meetings to ask for more funding and even then it’s not very good.”

Outside of state championships, the Portland Urban Debate League has had even more notable successes.

At the North Oregon District qualifying tournament in February for this summer’s prestigious National Speech and Debate Tournament , all three of the top three finishers in policy hailed from schools in the Portland Urban Debate League.

Sophomores Niko Glenn and Tom Huynh of Parkrose High took first place, a big deal for a school that just restarted its speech and debate program last school year after a nearly 30-year hiatus.

Franklin’s Silverstein and Susswood also qualified for the national tournament this summer with a second place finish.

It’s the first time that anyone from the Portland Urban Debate League has qualified to go to this particular national tournament, league officials said.

Huynh, who is in his first year of speech and debate, said his success this year is thanks to the free summer camp that the Portland Urban Debate League offered.

“If the Lewis & Clark summer camp wasn’t a free thing that the Portland Urban Debate League offered, I would not have joined debate,” said Huynh. “Debate is already hard to get into and with the camp being lower stakes and to have someone to guide you and to introduce you to what the debate is without cost is major.”

Dino Coons, a documentarian and former debater himself, is directing a documentary about speech and debate and followed Susswood and Silverstein around throughout the season. He said the duo did well all season without any hiccups.

“Frankie and Luke have consistently been excellent throughout the year,” said Coons.

But there are still hurdles that some teams will face in order to go to the national tournament this year.

Parkrose coach Rachel Wilczewski, who took over coaching the team in December, said her team needs more money to go to the national tournament this summer, even with help from the Portland Urban Debate League. She’s currently collecting money to pay for Huynh and Glenn to go to nationals through a GoFundMe that has raised all but $700 of the $10,000 goal.

“I feel like I’ve exhausted pretty good options to receive funds,” said Wilczewski. “We do get a little bit from the after school program, but that’s mostly just to pay for some transportation and then to cover some of my pay.”

“Kids pay tens and thousands of dollars to go and all of the top teams do, going to summer camps at places like Stanford and Gonzaga,” she added. “And so it really does create a divide based on the team’s financial ability, not only from what they’re getting from the school district but from the parents of the kids who are in those schools themselves.”

Readers can support the Portland Urban Debate League or speech and debate programs at individual schools via the following links:

Portland Urban Debate League

Franklin High School Debate/Mock Trial

Parkrose High School’s Go Fund Me

Reynolds High School

Roosevelt High School

Note: This story was updated at 2:30 p.m. on May 25 to correct the spelling of Aili Deibert’s last name.

______________________________________________________________________________________

This story was written by Youth Voices contributor Lucas Hellberg, a senior at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego. Hellberg is an editor-in-chief for his school’s newspaper, The Newspacer, a Model UN award winner and cross country letter winner, who is interested in reporting on politics, education and emerging technology. Next year in college, he plans to double major in computer science and journalism at the University of Oregon.

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Trump, accustomed to friendly crowds, confronts repeated booing during Libertarian convention speech

Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday night, with many in the crowd shouting insults and decrying him for things like his COVID-19 policies, running up towering federal deficits and lying about his political record.

Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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Libertarian delegates jeer Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump as he speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Libertarian delegates jeer Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump as he speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Libertarian delegates jeer Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump as he speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Libertarian delegates jeer Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump as he speaks at the Libertarian National Convention at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday night, with many in the crowd shouting insults and decrying him for things like his COVID-19 policies, running up towering federal deficits and lying about his political record.

When he took the stage, many jeered while some supporters clad in “Make America Great” hats and T-shirts cheered and chanted “USA! USA!” It was a rare moment of Trump coming face-to-face with open detractors, which is highly unusual for someone accustomed to staging rallies in front of ever-adoring crowds.

Libertarians, who prioritize small government and individual freedoms, are often skeptical of the former president, and his invitation to address the convention has divided the party. Trump tried to make light of that by referring to the four criminal indictments against him and joking, “If I wasn’t a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now.”

Trump tried to praise “fierce champions of freedom in this room” and called President Joe Biden a “tyrant” and the “worst president in the history of the United States,” prompting some in the audience to scream back: “That’s you.”

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in the south Bronx, Thursday, May. 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

As the insults continued, Trump eventually hit back, saying “you don’t want to win” and suggesting that some Libertarians want to “keep getting your 3% every four years.”

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Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson won about 3% of the national vote in 2016, but nominee Jo Jorgensen got only a bit more than 1% during 2020’s close contest .

Libertarians will pick their White House nominee during their convention, which wraps on Sunday. Trump’s appearance also gave him a chance to court voters who might otherwise support independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who gave his own Libertarian convention speech on Friday .

Polls have shown for months that most voters do not want a 2020 rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden . That dynamic could potentially boost support for an alternative like the Libertarian nominee or Kennedy, whose candidacy has allies of Biden and Trump concerned that he could be a spoiler.

Despite the raucous atmosphere, Trump continued to press on with his speech, saying he’d come “to extend a hand of friendship” in common opposition to Biden. That prompted a chant of “We want Trump!” from supporters, but more cries of “End the Fed!” — a common refrain from Libertarians who oppose the Federal Reserve . One person who held up a sign reading “No wannabe dictators!” was dragged away by security.

Trump tried to win over the crowd by pledging to include a Libertarian in his Cabinet, but many in the crowd hissed in disbelief. The former president did get a big cheer when he promised to commute the life sentence of the convicted founder of the drug-selling website Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht, and potentially release him on time served.

That was designed to energize Libertarian activists who believe government investigators overreached in building their case against Silk Road, and who generally oppose criminal drug policies more broadly. Ulbricht’s case was much-discussed during the Libertarian convention, and many of the hundreds in the crowd for Trump’s speech hoisted “Free Ross” signs and chanted the phrase as he spoke.

Despite those promises, many in the crowd remained antagonistic. One of the candidates vying for the Libertarian presidential nomination, Michael Rectenwald, declared from the stage before the former president arrived that “none of us are great fans of Donald Trump.” After his speech, Rectenwald and other Libertarian White House hopefuls took the stage to scoff at Trump and his speech.

Those for and against Trump even clashed over seating arrangements. About two hours before the former president’s arrival, Libertarian organizers asked Trump supporters in the crowd to vacate the first four rows. They wanted convention delegates — many of whom said they’d traveled from around the country and bought expensive tickets to the proceedings — could sit close enough to hear the speech.

Many of the original seat occupants moved, but organizers eventually brought in more seats to calm things down.

The Libertarian split over Trump was reflected by Peter Goettler, president and chief executive of the libertarian Cato Institute, who suggested in a Washington Post column that the former president’s appearance violated the gathering’s core values and that “the political party pretending to be libertarian has transitioned to a different identity.”

Trump’s campaign noted that Biden didn’t attend the Libertarian convention himself, and argued that the former president’s doing so was part of an ongoing effort to reach would-be supporters in places that are not heavily Republican — including the former president’s rally Thursday in the Bronx during a pause in his New York hush money trial .

The Libertarian ticket will try to draw support from disaffected Republicans as well as people on the left. Such voters could also gravitate toward Kennedy.

Trump didn’t dwell on Kennedy on Saturday night. But, after previously praising him and once considering him for a commission on vaccination safety , the former president has gone on the attack against Kennedy. He suggested on social media that a vote for Kennedy would be a “wasted protest vote” and that he would “even take Biden over Junior.”

The former president, while in office, referred to the COVID-19 vaccine as “one of the greatest miracles in the history of modern-day medicine.” He’s since accused Kennedy of being a “fake” opponent of vaccines.

In his speech at the Libertarian convention, Kennedy accused Trump and Biden of trampling on personal liberties in response to the pandemic. Trump bowed to pressure from public health officials and shut down businesses, Kennedy said, while Biden was wrong to mandate vaccines for millions of workers.

For his part, Biden has promoted winning the endorsement of many high-profile members of the Kennedy family, in an attempt to marginalize their relative’s candidacy.

Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for Biden’s reelection campaign, slammed Trump and top Republicans for opposing access to abortion and supporting limits on civil society, saying in a statement Saturday, that “freedom isn’t free in Trump’s Republican Party and this weekend will be just one more reminder of that.”

MAGA Rages at RFK Jr. Stunt Ahead of Donald Trump's Speech

I ndependent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his supporters have reportedly handed out rubber chickens to attendees of the Libertarian Party convention ahead of former President Donald Trump 's speech Saturday night in Washington, D.C.

The squawking rubber chickens have "Debate Bobby" written on them and are presumably intended to heckle and mock the presumptive Republican nominee as he looks to court right-leaning libertarian voters.

The stunt faced backlash on social media from Trump supporters.

"I am told @RobertKennedyJr is handing out rubber chickens to use as noise makers during President Trump's speech at the Libertarian National Convention tonight. Kennedy supporters plan on booing Trump and disrupting his speech," far-right activist Laura Loomer posted on X, formerly Twitter , on Saturday.

Loomer also brought attention to a video posted to X on Friday night by Libertarian Bryce Lipscomb. In the video, a convention attendee can be heard making a motion "to tell Trump to [expletive] himself."

"Seems like President Trump is about to walk into an ambush...," she posted to X Saturday morning.

Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy was met with boos at the convention on Friday when he mentioned Trump's name during a speech to Libertarian delegates.

On Saturday afternoon, more supporters of Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement bashed the rubber chickens distributed by the Kennedy Jr. campaign.

Such a clown. @RobertKennedyJr is a Democrat plant to either take Joe's place or trick others into thinking he's different. He's not. He's a Democrat. Team RFK Jr. passed out rubber chickens at Libertarian National Convention encouraging the audience to make noise during Donald Trump's speech," X user @texan_maga posted.

"DIRTY TRICKS? RFK Jr. is passing out rubber chickens to the audience to squawk while Trump is speaking tonight in an effort to get him to debate," X user @amuse wrote.

Newsweek has reached out to the Kennedy Jr. and Trump campaigns, along with the Libertarian Party, via email Saturday afternoon. This story will be updated with any provided statements.

CNN's Kate Sullivan reported Saturday night that Secret Service agents were confiscating the rubber chickens before attendees entered Trump's speech.

"No lighters, no water bottles, no noisy chickens," one agent yelled out to people in line, Sullivan posted on X.

According to journalist David Weigel, Trump is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. in an upstairs room, separate from the downstairs room with loyal, Libertarian delegates.

"Hello from the Libertarian National Convention. Downstairs, the LP's delegates keep booing Donald Trump; upstairs, the room for the 8 pm speech has been sweetened with dozens of suburban Republicans who drove in for it," Weigel posted on X.

Reporting from the convention, documentarian and editor Ford Fischer posted videos starting around 6 p.m. showing Libertarian delegates filing into the room where Trump is scheduled to speak. Initially, a host of Trump supporters took up many of the seats at the front of the room. Then, when the Libertarians arrived, more space was established near the stage where Trump will speak.

Libertarians will pick their White House nominee during the gathering in Washington, D.C., that wraps up Sunday. According to Ballotpedia, there are 34 registered Libertarian presidential candidates.

Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy and the nephew of former Democratic President John F. Kennedy, addressed the convention on Friday.

During his speech, he blasted President Joe Biden and Trump for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic during their presidencies.

"Maybe a brain worm ate that part of my memory, but I don't recall any part of the United States Constitution where there's an exemption for pandemics," Kennedy Jr. said, referencing a New York Times report that he was diagnosed more than a decade ago with a parasite that lodged in his brain.

"Democratic and Republican administrations have taken turns assaulting our constitutional rights and freedoms," he added.

According to the Associated Press, Kennedy Jr.'s own presence at the Libertarian convention was controversial. Some delegates wanted to bar his speech due to the fact that he previously talked publicly about pursuing the Libertarian nomination as a way to secure ballot access.

Kennedy, an attorney who has risen to prominence in recent years for his vocal stance against vaccines, was not on the list of Libertarian presidential nominees on Saturday, according to the AP.

The Libertarian convention speeches come on the heels of the Trump and Biden campaigns agreeing to a series of debates leading up to the November election. Since then, Kennedy Jr. and his supporters, along with advocacy groups, have made their case for inclusion in the debates, but so far, to no avail.

A Harvard CAPS/Harris survey released on Monday asked respondents whether presidential debates should "include third-party or independent candidates that clear a viable threshold, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or not?"

The vast majority said yes.

The survey was conducted online May 15-16 and polled 1,660 registered voters. It found that 71 percent of Americans think the presidential debates "should include independent or third-party candidates."

While critics dismiss Kennedy's campaign as a potential spoiler in the race, leading political analysts to argue his impact could be dual-sided. A prominent political scientist recently told Newsweek that Kennedy "has as much potential to take away votes from Trump as he does from Biden."

"If Kennedy gets to go on a rant about COVID vaccines and government conspiracies, it will damage Trump by eating into his populist support. If, instead, the themes veer into tackling climate change, increasing the minimum wage, and aiding labor rights, it will hurt Biden by taking some of the wind out of his sails," Thomas Gift, who heads the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, said.

The Libertarian Convention homepage said Trump's Saturday speech will be a "momentous occasion and will mark the first time a former President directly addresses our members, candidates, and executive committee. Don't miss this opportunity to hear insights from a prominent figure in American politics and watch him engage with Libertarian ideals."

Update: 5/25/2024, 7:20 p.m.: This story was updated with additional information.

Jenna Ellis Gloats After Donald Trump's Libertarian Convention Fiasco
Videos of Donald Trump Loudly Booed During Speech Go Viral
Donald Trump To Libertarian Convention: 'Maybe You Don't Want to Win'

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At left, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign event to announce his pick for a running mate at the Henry J. Kaiser Event Center in Oakland, California, on March 26, 2024. At right, former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at Crotona Park in the South Bronx on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in New York City.

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Trump, RFK Jr. face hostile reception at Libertarian convention amid efforts to sway voters

By Jacob Rosen , Allison Novelo

Updated on: May 27, 2024 / 12:30 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Former President Donald Trump and independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s attempts to appeal to the Libertarian Party fell on deaf ears this weekend, with the third-party crowd interrupting and mocking both at the party's convention in Washington, D.C.

A chaotic scene unfolded as Trump took the stage Saturday, as Libertarians clashed with pro-Trump attendees throughout his speech, resulting in multiple people being removed from the room and the crowd split between jeers, boos and chants directed at Trump.

"You can either nominate us and give us the position or give us your votes," Trump said to boos as he departed the stage.

Trump repeatedly snapped back at the crowd and their hostility, telling them at one point to "keep getting your 3% [of the national vote] every four years," adding, "maybe you don't want to win."

Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian Party's nominee in 2020, got 1.85 million votes, under 1.2% of the popular vote. And in 2016, Gary Johnson, the party's nominee that cycle, received 4.48 million votes, about 3.3% of the popular vote. While the party tends to win small percentages of the vote, in states where President Joe Biden and Trump are separated by tens of thousands of votes, support for third-party candidates could mean the difference between winning and losing the election.

In his pitch to Libertarian voters, Trump called for the commutation of Ross Ulbricht 's life sentence. Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road website, was found guilty of multiple felonies tied to the black market site. Silk Road allowed users to buy and sell products anonymously, including drugs and fake government documents. The Libertarian Party has made freeing Ulbricht a part of its platform.

However, during his 2024 reelection campaign announcement two years ago, Trump called on Congress to pass a law mandating the death penalty for drug dealers.

On Friday, Kennedy — who received a warmer reception than Trump — tried to win Libertarians over to his camp by promising to pardon government whistleblower Edward Snowden, currently exiled in Russia , and to drop espionage charges against Julian Assange , the WikiLeaks founder battling U.S. attempts to extradite him from Britain — two figures revered by Libertarians. He also criticized Trump several times for his handling of the pandemic, claiming that Trump violated the Constitution by allowing lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Kennedy's remarks on Snowden and Assange drew cheers. While his audience comprised many former Democrats and Republicans, some Libertarians felt he wasn't a true candidate for their party.

The decision by Libertarian Party leadership to host Trump and Kennedy divided the party and prompted aggressive reactions from some delegates who sought to exclude both candidates from the event.

While Trump was not vying for the Libertarian nomination, he was hoping to win over some uncommitted Libertarian voters.

Convention organizers also invited President Biden, but he declined to deliver remarks.

Libertarian Party leaders said they chose to invite the candidates as a way for members to speak directly to those who might win the White House in November.

"We are denied a place on the debate stage, so we decided to make our own stage the focal point of the world's eyes," said Brian McWilliams, Libertarian National Party communications director.

During a business session Friday, several delegates were heard yelling profanities at the Libertarian Party chair, Angela McArdle, in objection to Trump and Kennedy taking the stage at the convention.

Several booed and yelled obscenities at McArdle as she attempted to calm the crowd. Security later escorted one man out of the session.

Arielle Shack, a Libertarian voter at the convention Friday, told CBS News she was attending Kennedy's speech in protest, which took place at the same time as the rowdy business session.

Shack said she traveled to the convention from New Jersey to represent other New Jersey Libertarian voters who felt Kennedy and Trump should not have been invited because they were not true Libertarians.

"We don't want people that are not Libertarians here. If they don't have our principles, we're not going to vote for them," Shack said. "You're not gonna see Libertarians coming in, voting for a Kennedy, a Kennedy Democrat. He didn't get the Democratic [candidacy], so now he wants to be independent. But I think we can see right through that."

Another Libertarian voter, Richard Edgar from New Jersey, said he felt the invitation of both Trump and Kennedy was a "slap in the face" to Libertarian voters, who were expecting to hear Libertarian candidates make their case.

Michael Reeves — a Libertarian delegate from Daphne, Alabama who said he had been a member of the party for about 25 years — said that Trump and Kennedy's attendance at the convention "speaks well for the influence that we could exert on an election at this point, that they feel like they need to cater to us in any way."

Reeves said he would likely vote for the Libertarian nominee after sitting out in 2020. Reeves said that Kennedy's speech was "not bold enough," and he was "disappointed" by Trump's first term in the White House.

"I thought he had an opportunity to really make some changes in D.C., and he didn't," Reeves said about Trump. "The best we can say is that he didn't start any new wars, and that's a pretty low bar."

He added that both Democrats and Republicans are moving the country towards a "more collectivist and authoritarian state."

"To me, they represent essentially the same thing, the things that they disagree about are kind of minor compared to the things that they do agree about," Reeves said. "And they make all the wrong calls on the things that they do agree about."

Donald Trump
Libertarian

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Learn how to prepare, write and deliver a debate speech with this comprehensive guide. Find out the definition, format, structure and examples of debate speeches for different topics and situations.
4 Ways to Begin a Debate
Remember to maintain eye contact with an audience at the end of a sentence. Hold eye contact with an individual for only three to five seconds, then move on to someone else. Practice holding eye contact with someone you know for a minute or two. Repeat the exercise 5 or 6 times—that will really help a lot. 4.
What is Debate?
What Is Debate? A debate is an organized argument or contest of ideas in which the participants discuss a topic from two opposing sides. Those who agree with this statement or idea are the "Pro" side. Those who will not agree with this statement or idea are the "Con" side. Each side will show in an organized and clever way why they believe to ...
Debate
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 ...
Debate Speech Maker
Our debate speech maker tool is the perfect solution for those who wish to deliver the perfect response to their opponents. Easily generate a speech on any topic and wow the audience with your eloquence. Additionally, learn all about debates, their structure, and find useful tips.
55 Great Debate Topics for Any Project
Social and Political Issues Debate Topics. All people should have the right to own guns. The death penalty should be abolished. Human cloning should be legalized. All drugs should be legalized. Animal testing should be banned. Juveniles should be tried and treated as adults. Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today.
New voices upend the status quo in Portland's high school speech and
Several Portland high schools have launched new speech and debate teams with help from the Portland Urban Debate League, a nonprofit whose core mission is to address "opportunity gaps in ...
A constitutional fight is brewing in Menendez's corruption trial
The speech or debate issues are separate from the challenge presented by what counts as an "official act" following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell ...
Trump booed repeatedly during Libertarian convention speech
After his speech, Rectenwald and other Libertarian White House hopefuls took the stage to scoff at Trump and his speech. Those for and against Trump even clashed over seating arrangements. About two hours before the former president's arrival, Libertarian organizers asked Trump supporters in the crowd to vacate the first four rows. They ...
MAGA Rages at RFK Jr. Stunt Ahead of Donald Trump's Speech
Rubber chickens have "Debate Bobby" on them, presumably intended to mock Trump before his Libertarian Convention speech on Saturday.
Trump, RFK Jr. face hostile reception at Libertarian convention amid
Arielle Shack, a Libertarian voter at the convention Friday, told CBS News she was attending Kennedy's speech in protest, which took place at the same time as the rowdy business session.
Meghan Markle Comment by Nigeria First Lady Sparks Debate
Meghan was mentioned by Oluremi Tinubu in a speech, sparking debate over whether her comment was a swipe at the Duchess of Sussex.
Butker's controversial commencement speech stokes debate
A controversial commencement speech, delivered by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College, has thrust the Catholic institution in Kansas into the national spotlight, roiled the internet with ideological clashes and stoked ongoing, heated debates within and outside of Catholic higher ed institutions.. Even the order of nuns that founded and sponsor Benedictine College ...

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

What Is A Debate Speech?

Key Elements of A Debate Speech

How To Prepare For Debate Speech?

Choosing a Position

Conducting Thorough Research

Structure The Key Points

How to Start a Debate Speech

Structure Your Arguments

Address Counterarguments (Rebuttals)

How to End a Debate Speech

Review And Practice

Debate Speech Examples for Students

Tips for an Effective Debate Speech

Debate Speech Topics

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How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

What is a Debate?

Complete Teaching Unit on Class Debating

How To Run A Classroom Debate

Download our Debate Organizer

How To Write A Debate

Writing Your Introduction

Grab The Attention Of Your Audience With Strong Hooks

Introduce Your Topic With Efficiency and Effectiveness

Provide Your Thesis Statement

Provide A Preview Of Your Arguments

debate introduction examples for students

Writing T he Body of the Speech

Brainstorming Arguments

Concluding a Debate Speech

The Devils Advocate

20 Great Debating Topics for Students

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO DEBATING

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5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers

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Debating Teaching Strategies

A COMPLETE UNIT FOR TEACHING OPINION WRITING

A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing and Delivering A Debate Speech

What is a Debate Speech?

Preparing for a Debate Speech

Understanding the Debate Format

Selecting a Position

Researching and Gathering Information

Understanding Both Sides of the Argument

Organizing Your Arguments

Practicing Your Delivery

How to Present a Debate Speech?

1. Catchy Introduction

2. State the Problem & Define Key Terms

3. Present Your Arguments

4. Rebuttals

5. Conclusion

Tips for Presenting a Debate Speech Effectively

Debate Speech Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2 sides of a debate called?

Keep reading

The Most Powerful Debate Speech Strategy And Topic Ideas

11 Greatest Debate Topics Of All Time.

Ways In which Debate Helps Shape Overall Personality.

1. The Existence of a Higher Power: God vs. Atheism

2. Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech Laws

3. Legalization of Recreational Drugs: Pros and Cons

4. Climate Change: Human-Made vs. Natural Causes

5. Capital Punishment: Morality and Deterrence

6. Immigration Policies: Open Borders vs. Strict Control

7. Assisted Suicide: Right to Die vs. Sanctity of Life

8. Privacy in the Digital Age: Security vs. Individual Rights

9. Universal Basic Income: Reducing Inequality vs. Economic Sustainability

10. Censorship in the Arts: Protecting Morality vs. Freedom of Expression

11. Animal Testing: Scientific Advancement vs. Animal Rights

How To Write A Debate Speech ?

Thesis Statement: Clearly State Your Position

Main Arguments: Develop Strong Points

Addressing Counter Arguments: Anticipate and Refute

Emphasize Impact: Appeal to Emotions and Values