Debate arts can seem intimidating to many who view it from afar. Especially with the self-confidence and eagerness of the speakers to defend their causes. But what most people don't know is that debate involves a number of skills that anyone can learn if they are trained and trained.
It is true that debate is not something you encounter daily in your normal life, but acquiring this skill will undoubtedly have great value on many other aspects of your life.
In today's article, we'll bring you the comprehensive guide to debating skills and basics. Just keep reading!
What is a debate?
Debating is a form of structured competition that revolves around a specific issue, policy, or topic. As it includes two main parties: one in favor of the proposal and the last one opposing it. The discussion between the two parties takes place according to specific rules and directives.
What are the benefits of acquiring debate skills?
Enhancing your debating skills contributes to achieving many other benefits that you can benefit from in various other areas of life. We can summarize the most important of these benefits as follows:
It allows you to think of different areas and perspectives on the debate topic that you may not have previously thought of.
It encourages you to speak in an organized, strategic manner.
Develop your speaking skills in front of an audience.
Help you learn how to construct persuasive arguments.
When you are forced to take a different position from your own, you will discover that there are other aspects to the issue under discussion, which gives you a deeper understanding of it.
The general structure of the debate
Debate takes many forms, and follows specific rules. We can summarize the basic rules of debate as follows:
1- The debate topic will be selected. This topic may be an idea, policy, or specific issue that you disagree with.
2 - Two teams of three people are formed to conduct the debate:
The team supporting the cause, expressed as "with the subtraction."
The team opposing the case is expressed as "against the proposal."
3 - Sometimes you may be asked to define your personal position in the debate, but other times your position is determined automatically (even if it is contrary to your viewpoint).
4 - The two teams are then given time to prepare for the debate (usually one hour).
5- Everyone presents their point of view for a specific period of time.
6 - The two teams take turns talking: Usually a member of the supporting team begins to speak, followed by a member of the opposing team, then the second member of the supporting team, and behind it the second member of the opposing team, and so on.
7 - The debate is then judged.
8 - There may be an audience that follows the debate, but often does not participate in it, and he may sometimes be given some time to give their opinion at the end of the debate.
Once you become familiar with the basic rules of debate, you will be able to participate in its various types and forms. But it is also important to know the role of the speakers in it, and what each of them has to say.
How do I acquire debate skills?
Although debating may seem difficult, in reality it only takes some practice and constant training.
We have collected for you a set of important tips that help you acquire debate skills, as some are general advice, and others are related to sound or the language used, in addition to a number of things that you must avoid to ensure your success in the debate.
The prohibitions that you should avoid during the debate
No matter how enthusiastic you are for debate and passionate about the issue or the point of view you adopt, there are some mistakes and prohibitions that must be avoided, because committing them may cost you the loss of the debate.
Here are the most important of these mistakes:
Forgery or alteration of evidence and its manipulation.
Publicly opposing the arbitration committee’s decision.
Attacking the spokesperson from the opposite team in person rather than challenging the idea.
Acting violently and aggressively towards the debate, the referee, or the audience.
Interrupt the speakers from the opposite team. (This particular error shows that your argument is weak and flimsy.)
Opposing trivial facts or information that are beyond discussion.
