Debating Tips

If you want to be good at debating, you have to learn to put your personal views to one side. It doesn't really matter what you personally believe, you have to stay objective. It's fine to be passionate and try to get people on your side, but that isn't the same thing as being aggressive or bursting into tears.

You have to be flexible, because you might have to argue for something you don't even agree with. It's a good idea just to try and come up with lots of different arguments to begin with. Then you can start to analyse them and see if they really are strong arguments or not. A good tip is to avoid any statements that are too extreme. As soon as you find yourself using language such as 'always' or 'never', it's a clue that your argument might not actually be that strong.

Preparation is really important. Take some time to think through all your arguments really well. Do you have any evidence to support what you're saying? Think of some good examples you can give; it can be hard to think of these on the spot. Are you sure that the point you want to make is really relevant or logical? Be sure that your opponent can't easily find flaws in what you're saying.