Introduction

There is no one right way to put together an effective debate. But if you follow this basic guidelines, which have been tried and tested here at the Toronto Debating Society, you will find it easier to prepare, easier to deliver and easier for your audience to follow you.

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These will fall into 3 sections -Preparation, Rebuttal and Delivery, and Summary

 

Preparation

Reach out to your partner and discuss how you understand the motion, what you believe will be your main arguments and what you expect will be the main arguments of your opposition.  Then decide which of you will tackle each of the arguments so that you are working together to be as effective as possible. 

 

If you are using notes - always make the font big enough that you can read it without needing to peer at it.  Ideally you always want to maintain eye contact with your audience

 

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Rebuttal and Delivery

Except for the Prime Minister, start with a rebuttal of the previous speaker's arguments.  Budget for about 1 minute, and always focus on what you perceive to be the major weaknesses.  Don't overrun but never miss the chance of identifying at least one weakness in what the previous speaker said. 

 

If you have already thought about what your opposition's main arguments will be then you may already have good counter-arguments ready.  The leading speaker on each side has 7 minutes - that's enough time to make 3 really solid arguments.  Don't attempt more than 4.  For the supporting speakers, aim to make 2 good arguments. 

 

In all cases - tell your audience what all your arguments will be first then go through them one at a time - supporting each with facts, logical arguments and appealing to both intellect and emotion.  Help them organize their thoughts.  Then tell them briefly what they should have heard - e.g. the government has established that bananas are toxic, that they are a horrible shade of yellow,  and that they do not belong on Pizza - please support or defeat the motion. 

 

Make eye contact around the room as much as possible, speak clearly and provide emphasis using both voice and gestures, and speak slowly enough that your audience can digest what you're saying.

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Summary

Both the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister have the opportunity to do a summary.  When you do a summary - you cannot introduce new information but the goal is to summarize the main weaknesses of your opposition's arguments and to summarize the main arguments of both you AND your partner.  Ask yourself - what are the main arguments we have made that will get the audience on your side?  You don't have to list everything - and try to finish on something punchy and memorable. 

 

The Prime Minister has the additional burden of doing a brief rebuttal of the Member of the Opposition's main points.  Do it if you can, but focus on one weakness and leave time to do an effective summary.  If you have done good preparation - you will already know what your partner's main points were.

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Prepare with your partner so you agree beforehand on who is doing what.  Always do a brief rebuttal of your opposition's main points.  Tell the audience what are your main points, probably 3 for the leaders and 2 for the supporting speakers.  It's more effective to make one argument well than 5 badly.  The leaders on both sides need to summarize the main weaknesses of their opposition and the main strengths of their side.  If you do that - I believe you will be more effective and win more debates.

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In conclusion, remember these main points: Prepare with your partner so you agree beforehand on who is doing what.  Always do a brief rebuttal of your opposition's main points.  Tell the audience what are your main points, probably 3 for the leaders and 2 for the supporting speakers.  It's more effective to make one argument well than 5 badly.  The leaders on both sides need to summarize the main weaknesses of their opposition and the main strengths of their side.  If you do that - you will be more effective and will be on your way to winning more debates.