Debate Tips for the World Scholar's Cup

Talking Advice:

-Speak loud and clear

-Speak fluently (NO pauses or "ums/likes")

-Stand straight and tall

-Don’t fidget with anything

-Be brave and confident (like you're persuading your friend)

-Use hand gestures

-Ask questions (they can be rhetorical or genuine)

-Remember to rebut the opposing team's point(s)

-Be dramatic!

-Look up from your notes often

-Stay on topic and focused

-Be organized with your points

-Maintain eye contact

Debating Techniques:

-Give a statement

-Include definitions

-Then add reasoning

-Prove your statement with evidence

-State the impact of your statement

-Make sure to understand all the words in the motion and your text

-Give many examples

-Use examples from your life

-Use examples you researched and say the author and the date the text was published

-Write brief notes, not long sentences

-Make sure your ideas go together with your team members

-Only state 2-3 points/ideas so you can fully develop them

-Think about what you can improve on next time

-Take discreet notes/comments for the opposing team to improve on

Why you should rebut your opponents:

-It makes the other team more scared/vulnerable

-It shows the judge the point you are rebutting is strong

-You’re more persuasive

Debate Tips for Speaker #1:

-If you are in the negative side, then rebut your opponent

-Address your teammates’ points (vaguely)

-Have a persuasive and fascinating introduction

-Help your teammates when you are finished speaking

Debate Tips for Speaker #2

-Develop ideas clearly and thoroughly

-Add on to Speaker #1’s ideas

-Explain points fully with detail

-Rebut your opponent

Debate Tips for Speaker #3

-Add on to teammates’ ideas

-Provoke a fiery and concise argument

-Have a compelling and stunning conclusion

-Rebut your opponent

Always Remember:

-Never offend the judge!

-Never offend the opposing team!

Made by Vicky Yu

December 1, 2018