Debate like a Pro

Have you ever attended a debate competition? Great debates would make your head nod in agreement with every point thrown out! 

But how do you become a good debater, especially when you have to put your points across to someone who disagrees with you?

Know Your Facts 

Always know your points before starting. Do appropriate research to support your facts. Baseless arguments will not take you anywhere, because if you are faced with a strong opponent, he or she will attempt to dive deep and test the roots of your arguments.

See from Opposite Perspectives

Apart from doing research to support your own facts, it’s important to do a little research on the opposing parties’ facts. Try to understand where their argument is coming from and also respect the points that they put across. If you agree with a point from the opposition, you can also concede, being at two different poles of the debate doesn’t mean you have to disagree with everything the opposition says.

Keep Calm

It is important that during a debate, you do not let your heart control your head. Some get really heated up when they are debating simply because they want to win, they disagree things that the opposition says. However, even if you’re not confident with your own points, stay humble and composed, don’t let your fear show. Just play it cool and keep the confidence.

Debating is not just a competition, it is an activity to test your self-confidence, communication skills and interpersonal skills. Many of us do not realise that debating is part of our everyday life -- when we’re disagreeing with people.

If you’re given the opportunity to participate in debating activities in school, do go and try it out, especially if you think you’re more introverted! It’s high time you stepped out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself!