Looking from the sidelines, debating can look intimidating, as both speakers seem to be passionately and confidentially defending their position. However, in fact, it is nothing more than a usual skill that takes some time and effort to be obtained.
Although you do not usually need to know how to be a good debater to succeed with everyday tasks, it is surely a precious skill that can help you prosper during your college years and get the desired promotion at work. So, if you have always been eager to learn how to be a good arguer, maintaining an attitude, keep reading the article to get more details.
Generally, a debate is not a trivial conversation where two people defend their grounds. Instead, it is a well-structured and organized contest over a specific issue. The opposing and supporting sides are mandatory for a successful and full-fledged action. Although the significance of debate is frequently underestimated, it has a range of advantages for both its participants and the audience:
- gives an opportunity to consider various aspects of the question that have never been viewed before;
- teaches the participants to present their ideas logically and strategically;
- advanced public speaking skills to an ultimately new level;
- improves the ability to influence and persuade.
Basic Characteristics of a Good Debater
A good debater was not born this way. Instead, it usually takes much time, effort, persistence, and determination to become one. It is inevitable to work hard in order to master the existing skills and develop new ones that will draw you closer to the desired result. Thus, if you have ever been eager to learn how to be a better debater, you should not focus only on the knowledge but also on personal traits and characteristics necessary for prosperity.
An influential debater is one who can speak eloquently, provide reasonable arguments, give examples, and maintain a professional tone. Additionally, it is critical to watch the body language and similar elements that can predetermine the outcomes of the experience. Needless to say, a debater should have a broad outlook and a perfect knowledge about the subject so that it will not be hard to give arguments, persuading folks.
It is inevitable to remember different debates and stay flexible getting ready for each one of them. Getting ready for the public competition, one should be forearmed with valid facts and materials that can support the position. Statistical data, up-to-date facts, and similar items can make your speech more convincing.
If your main goal is to belittle the opponent, your chances to win are poor. A good debater is one who does not care for the opponent, but makes the maximum effort to gain the trust and appreciation of the audience. Thus, body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and emotions may help you succeed with an experience a lot. Moreover, a perfect debater is one who can react fast, brainstorm quickly and respond within seconds.
How to Become a Good Debater: 5 Steps to Victory
Eloquent speech and impeccable skills are not enough for a good debater. An ability to interact with the audience, convince listeners and defend your position are critical for the desirable outcomes. Additionally, several other factors will help you acknowledge how to be a great debater and make your speech influential.
Investigate the Subject
A thorough, full-fledged analysis of the question is the first step you need to make on the way to a successful debate. Make sure you spend enough time learning the topical information and immersing yourself in different aspects of the question.
Sharpen Your Listening Skills
It is critical to remember that debate differs from presentation a lot, as your task here is not to introduce your perspective but also to interact with the opposing side, defending your position and giving reasonable grounds. Thus, it is inevitable to have unique listening skills so that you can contradict some arguments.
Keep Practicing
The only way to be a confident and influential debater is through practice. Make an effort to sharpen the basic skills necessary for the experience. Rehearse a lot in front of the mirror, ask your friends or family to assist, and give yourself an opportunity to master precious skills.
Use Suitable Vocabulary
First of all, you should be comfortable with the words you use. Keep in mind that formal, scholarly, and complicated words may be hard to understand, which may decrease your chances to win the debate. Instead, you should focus on the phrases and sentences you are familiar with, advancing your chances to succeed.
Watch Your Tone
As you should already know, your voice, tempo, and a range of similar elements may either strengthen your position or make it a complete mess. Avoid getting overly excited, which is the first step to failure. Instead, learn to control your emotions, staying calm and reserved irrespective of the circumstances.
Effective Debating Techniques to Strengthen Your Position
Getting ready for the next debate, you will come across an unlimited number of recommendations and guidelines on how to win a debate. However, it is inevitable to be selective, focusing only on the methods and techniques that are effective and time-tested. Check out some of the most effective and influential tips that will help you advance your debating skills and succeed with literally every experience:
- Be prepared. Right, you should be ready with the necessary information, but what is more important, you should be 100% prepared with your emotions and confidence. Take some time to practice and rehearse the debate, visualizing possible ways of the event development. Remember that thorough preparation can advance your chances for success.
- Avoid drifting. No matter how big or important the subject is, you should not drift all over it. Instead, a good debater is one who can stay concentrated on a certain perspective, specifying its details.
- Listen. You are not the only one to talk during the debate, so you should also learn how to listen to the opponent. Focus on the opposing words and use them to strengthen your arguments.
- Stay confident. There is no way you persuade folks if you are not confident in what you are talking about. Maximum assurance and competence are the key steps to successful debate.
- Take advantage of non-verbal cues. According to the results of numerous studies, less than 10% of information is gained through words, while the final message is obtained through non-verbal elements. Learn to use your voice, tone, posture, and facial expressions the right way and advance your chances to succeed.
- Close strong. The last impression is the most significant one, so you should be 100% sure you have taken your chance to emphasize the most important aspects of the question, providing listeners with extraordinary ideas to be reflected.
