How to Make an Introduction Paragraph for a Debate
Oubria tronshaw, 21 aug 2018.

Debates provide a forum for individuals to logically examine opposing sides of an argument. During a debate, one person takes the affirmative or is in agreement with the issue. Another person takes the negative side and offers a solid disagreement with the issue. The introduction paragraph to a debate is crucial. It's your first opportunity to grab the audience's attention and help them see the issue from your point of view whether that is positive or negative viewpoint. Formulate your intro so that even if the audience doesn't hear another word, they'll know where you stand.

Explore this article
- Researching Debate Speech Topic
- Investigating The Debate Speech Argument
- Writing the Introduction
- Researching Supporting Facts
- Ask for Introduction Review
- Giving the Debate Introduction
1 Researching Debate Speech Topic
After choosing your debate speech topic and the side of the issue you will take, the next step is to research it thoroughly. When researching use everything at your disposal including the Internet, library books and periodicals, media footage and personal interviews. While you are researching, take notes on your research findings. Think about your topic in present-day terms and find a way to connect to the subject in a way that means something to you personally.
2 Investigating The Debate Speech Argument
After conducting your research, next investigate both sides of the argument. While you may only have a strong feeling on one side, looking at both arguments helps make your debate speech presentation stronger. Search for holes in both theories so you'll be prepared to take either the affirmative or the negative. You'll want to use logical and not emotional arguments to support your case.
3 Writing the Introduction
Next, begin the debate paragraph introduction with what you consider to be the most solid fact that supports your case. Great ways to start a speech can include this strong research. For example, if you're arguing that condoms should be issued in middle school health classes and your research revealed 30 percent of teen pregnancies occur in middle school, start there. Grab the audience's attention by stating the most compelling part of your research right away in the opening paragraph. That strong opener is a great way to start a speech but especially a debate speech.
4 Researching Supporting Facts
After you begin writing the introduction, consider additional facts from your research to explain to the audience what will happen if your argument is not heeded. For example, if you're arguing for stricter parole requirements for child molesters, statistics the number of child molesters released on early parole that go on to be repeat offenders would be a compelling fact to include. Read your introduction paragraph, but pretend you're on the other side of the argument. Strengthen any weaknesses in your reasoning.
5 Ask for Introduction Review
Before giving your debate speech, show your introduction paragraph to someone else like your debate coach, a peer, teacher, mentor or parent. After they've read that introduction paragraph and the supporting debate speech, ask for their opinions on the content. Consider their suggestions and revise your introduction accordingly.
6 Giving the Debate Introduction
When it comes time to present the debate speech, make sure you also consider how you present the information. Other debate strategies include speaking clearly when delivering your introduction to the audience. Another strong strategy to keep in mind is to make eye contact. This shows your audience that you're speaking from your convictions, rather than simply reading something you wrote.
- 1 Seattle Pi: How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay Introduction
- 2 University of Maryland University College: Writing Arguments
About the Author
Oubria Tronshaw specializes in topics related to parenting and business. She received a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Chicago State University. She currently teaches English at Harper Community College in the Chicago area.
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How to Start a Debate: Learn to Introduce Yourself and Greet
- August 1, 2021
- by Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC

How To Start a Debate : Debate is a formally organized argument or discussion involving two or more persons of two opposing sides, whereby the sides express opposing views towards the subject of discourse. Simply put, debate is the discussion of opposing views.
The importance of knowing how best to start a debate cannot be overemphasized. The default of a speaker as regards protocols and procedures in a debate is in fact detrimental to the entirety of the presentation.

how to start a debate by introducing yourself and greeting
Recommended: Features of an informal letter
Features of a Debate
For an activity or occasion to be considered a debate, the following must be present in the scene:
1. Team: this is the group of people involved in the debate activity. Debates usually involve two team namely affirmative team and negative team. Each team is constituted by two or three speakers.
Affirmative team is the “ yes ” team. They are the group which are for and not against the given topic. They are in support of the given topic and are to establish that the given position is true.
Negative team argues against the given topic. Negative team is also known as the opposing team. They are to establish that the given topic is false.
2. The Judge : the Judge presides over the debate, observes, records and decides the winner of the debate exercise. There is usually more than one judges officiating a debate. After the exercise, their records will be evaluated and be presented as the final decision.

How to greet and introduce yourself in a debate
3. Audience: these are the listeners who are present in the debate arena. There is no debate without an audience.
4. Time Keeper: this is a person assigned to record time and regulate the timing available for the presenters and the debate activity as a whole.
5. Moderator: this is the official whose duty is to anchor the debate. He or she enforces the regulations of the debate.
Also see: How to become a successful lawyer
Features of a Quality Presentation
1. Persuasive: the arguments of the presenter must be sound enough to convince the audience. To be persuasive, the language and tone need to be confident, positive and authoritative. The points made must be valid and relevant.
2. Logical: the presentation must be rational, explicit and articulate.
3. Informative: the presentation must be knowledgeable and educative.
4. Well Structured: the information contained in a good debate must be presented in an orderly manner.
The purpose of a debate is to convince and persuade the audience and the judge that your view should be considered and preferred.
Also see: Boarding v Day School, Which is Better
Types of Debate
1. Team Policy Debate: in this type of debate, the affirmative team proposes a plan while the negative or opposing team opposes the proposed plan. It usually involve two sides. While one side advocate for the given topic, the other side advocate against it.
2. Cross Examination : Shortly called cross – ex. In this type of debate, the opponents are allowed in the middle of the presentation to ask questions to each other for the purpose of ascertaining or understanding a point made.
3. Lincoln Douglas Debate : This is a debate had in 1958 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party candidate of the United States senate from Illinois, and Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party Candidate.
4. Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR): for this type of debate, the students debate on a different topic in each round. Here there is usually a limited time for preparation.
5. Public Forum Debate: for this type, students debate on current rising issues. It also allow for rebuttals and cross-examination.
6. Parliamentary Debate : this is an academic debate usually in higher institutions based on British model of government. It involves two sides, one known as the government and the other known as the negative team or opposition team.
Starting A Debate
Starting a debate begins with preparation. Preparation here demands meticulous and extensive research on the topic of the debate. The research here involves sourcing for logical, statistical and verifiable points to justify one’s stance. It is important and advisable to extend your research to understanding the stance of the opposing team. This gives a foresight on the possible line of argument and defense of the opposing team and renders them predictable.

steps to start a debate greeting
By so, you are already guided on how to prepare your own line of argument, counterargument and rebuttals. The benefit of understanding your opponent’s stance is that you have heavier point of defense against them and you are visited with less surprises during presentation.
Steps On Presenting A Sound Debate
Step 1. Understanding the Topic: The first step is to understand your topic. Understanding your topic gives you confidence and certainty. There is no other means other than by conducting extensive and defensive research. As stated earlier, research should focus on both sides of the debate topic.
Then, it is important to outline your points accordingly starting from the introduction, the content of the argument and the conclusion.
Step 2. Greetings: Before introducing your topic, it is cultural to first of all acknowledge the presents of the audience, the judge, the time keeper, the moderator and any other personnel collectively. This usually comes by way of, “ Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, Panel of Judges, Accurate Time Keeper, Moderator ” etc. The phrase “ Ladies and Gentlemen ” covers every other person not specifically mentioned.
Step 3. Introduction: After the greetings comes the introduction. This is a brief oral explanation of what constitute the basis of an issue. Here the presenter is expected to state the topic of the debate and then categorically state his or her stance in the debate, whether in support of the given topic (affirmative) or against it (negative). The introduction is expected to be very sharp, catchy, concise and explicit.
The tone of presenting your stance should be assertive and convincing that indeed, this is unequivocally your stance. Remember that the manner of introduction and how appealing it is arouses and sustains the interest of the judges and audience. So it is most advisable to begin it best.
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Step 4. Body of the Argument: Now that your presentation has started, you should focus on the main substance of the debate which is the body of the argument. The presenter should firstly, win the curiosity and the attention of the audience by giving a captivating background.
This could be achieved by relaying a point through a story, by creating working instances and suitable scenarios, etc. the presenter is expected to establish unquestionable definitions preferably supported by notable authorities. Mastery of the art of persuasion is an addendum advantage for a debater.
The presenter can also achieve emphasis and arouse curiosity by the use of rhetorical questions. Logic and statistics can be employed too as long as it is favourable to the presenter’s stance and is relevant, valid and convincing. It is necessary to maintain eye contact because it showcases confidence and certainty.
These are the factors judges also look at while taking performance records. The presenter is advised not to read verbatim as this makes the presentation unnatural. This does not in any way suggest that one should cram the argument. The presenter can instead highlight his or her points or outline them as stated earlier.
Tonality : Application of tonality is beautiful and admirable. It is the rising and falling of the pitch. This is the application of tonal emphasis where appropriate. This helps in making the voice and speech interesting, and of course catches and sustains the interest of the audience and the judges. This has a way of appealing to people’s emotion. The tone is expected to match the severity of the debate topic.
Time keeping: There is a reason why every debating activity has a time keeper. Time keeping is of essence in a debate. The presenter is expected to wrap up his or her point within the given time. Most times, every point made upon the exhaustion of the given time does not count. This does not suggest that the presenter should be too fast in speech.
Team: Debate team usually consist of two or three presenters for a team. The topic is usually shared for each team accordingly, from the first speaker to the last. It is necessary for each speaker to restate his or stance in the debate before proceeding.
Also see: How to read faster and understand easily
Step 5. Conclusion: The concluding points should be resounding, concise and precise. It may come by way of summarizing the points discussed earlier. The presenter may end by restating his or her stance in the topic.
This is where we are going to stop for now, however, I recommend that you watch the YouTube video below if you want to continue to learn more tips on how to start a debate. Trust me, you will enjoy watching.

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC , is a Law Student and a Certified Mediator/Conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a Developer with knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and React Native. Samuel is bent on changing the legal profession by building Web and Mobile Apps that will make legal research a lot easier.
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Debate introduction examples for students.
Here are some of the debate introduction examples for students. These are merely a guide on how to draft your own debate introduction and greetings
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3 Debate Introduction Examples For Students

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How To Write An Opening Statement For A Debate?
Writing a debate does not need to be a complicated task. A debate is a forum where a structured discussion is held on a particular subject matter. Here, speakers have the opportunity to make their arguments in support or otherwise of the issue at hand.
The problem is how to write an opening statement for a debate
In a debate, the opening statement is one of the essential parts of the debate. Thus in answering the question, how to write an opening statement for a debate, it should be noted that one requires significant effort to write it. It would be best if you also considered writing the opening statement in a manner that captures the attention of your audience. You can start by stating an interesting fact, a profound statistics, a quote, or any statement that has the power of stirring the curiosity and interest of the audience in your direction for the rest of your speech. Read on to learn more techniques to adopt in writing a debate.
Techniques And Styles For Writing An Opening Statement
One pattern of writing an opening statement is to start your debate by giving your audience a road map into the rest of the discourse. Using the opening statement as a strategy to achieve this requires that you have a holistic overview of what you intend to say. With this technique, you present an opening that draws the audience to the direction you want. You also have to get them curious enough to follow you through to the end of the discussion.
Another technique is to employ the weapon of storytelling. Starting with a well-scripted story that plays out real-life scenarios in the mind’s eye of your audience is necessary to get your audience interested in what you intend to say. A good story should be a perfect blend of emotions and meaning. It must be a short story that relates to the theme of the debate. A long story will be unnecessary and would take up space and time you could have used to talk about your other points and bolster your arguments.
Starting with shocking statistics is a way of getting your audience to sit upright and pay closer attention to what you have to say. It explains why statistics are often introduced into the opening statement by great speakers. The statistics should be one that is at the core of the subject matter for discussion. The other points to be discussed could focus on querying the statistics and what one should do about it. Different dimensions to the statistics used could also be extensively discussed in the debate.
One can also use a famous quote, a proven statement of fact, or a new development in the topic area of your discussion to start your speech. However, the hallmark is to secure the attention of your audience. It would be best if you got the audience to stay with you until the end of your speech.
What Do You Seek To Achieve In An Opening Statement?
There is a saying that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. Thus, it is essential to understand what you intend to achieve with your opening statement. An opening statement could serve several purposes. The question is, what should be its purpose, or what do you seek to achieve with your opening statement?
An opening statement serves to capture the attention of the audience for the rest of your speech. You use an opening statement as a means to show the reason your audience should listen to you. Otherwise, the persons could be seated in the room, but their attention would be somewhere else. Any of the above techniques, when used effectively, will help you achieve this.
You can use an opening statement to persuade your audience on your point of view while you go ahead to bolster your position in the body of the debate. In an opening statement, you give the audience a clue on how you intend to prove a seemingly outrageous statement that you just made. It is the earliest opportunity for you to present to your audience what to expect.
Another purpose of an opening statement is to prepare the mind of the members of the audience. They need to be ready for the information with which you have to feed them. If you center your speech on a controversial subject matter, then the opening statement should seek first to tackle the possible objections in their minds that that does not favor your point of view. That way, their objections are eradicated or at least weakened to make them better disposed to hear your views. In trying to achieve this purpose through your opening statement, the emphasis will be on locating loopholes in their opinions. The gaps can be easily exploited in favor of your perspective and make them more responsive as you introduce your view to them in the course of the discussion.
The Relationship Between The Opening Statement And Other Parts Of A Debate
Apart from an opening statement, there are other parts to a debate. These additional parts are as important as an opening statement because an opening statement cannot serve its purpose in isolation from the others.
The opening statement introduces the subject matter of the discussion and sets the pace for the body of the debate, where the speaker extensively discusses his views. The opening statement serves as a background for the audience to have a better understanding of the discussion.
Different types of debate
There are different types of debate. The model determines how you should write the opening statement. The different types of debates often have different structures; it is why the manner of writing an opening statement might be different for each.
Some debates are moderated by the host or another person designated for that. In this kind of debate, the speakers receive enough time to give their opening statements before the moderator starts asking them questions.
There are also town hall debates, club debates, school debates, and other variants.
General rules for a debate
There are general rules that apply to the coordination of a debate. These rules are essential for the effective coordination of the debate. It has to be observed by all the participants of the debate, including the organizers. Where participants to a debate breach a rule, it could lead to the disqualification of the participants from the debate. Thus, it is essential to bear these rules in mind as you write the speech for your debate to avoid elimination and other penalties.
All participants of a debate are required to be fair to each other in the course of the debate. Unruly behaviors and talks that seek to attack the person of other participants are not allowed. All attacks should be directed at the arguments of the adverse party.
It is a known principle that he who asserts must prove. Going by this principle, it becomes imperative for you to verify the assertions and facts you use to support your views. The application of this rule enriches the credibility and honesty of your arguments. That way, the audience is likely to be swayed in your favor.
Every debate, whether it is a social or political debate, has a formal structure that must be followed. It might also have preliminary activities that each participant has to engage in before they can participate in it. In these circumstances, a participant must comply with these requirements. He must also carry out these activities as a precondition to being a part of the debate.
Usually, in a debate, the participants are allotted time to present their views and are expected to give their speech within the specified timeframe. The essence is to introduce fairness into the debate by ensuring that the participants have the same opportunity to present their arguments. Thus, they are expected to be straightforward in their delivery to maximize the use of their time. The issue of timing should be born in mind when writing the speech. Otherwise, the speaker will end up not completing his speech before the time runs out.
It violates the rules of debating for a participant to interrupt another participant in the course of his speech. All the speakers at the debate are given their speaking slots; thus, one speaker cannot stop another halfway through his speech.
Some debates require participants to turn in their papers before time. Where this is the case, the writing of the debate paper has to be concluded earlier enough for it to be reviewed adequately before turning it in.
It is believed that the points contained here will be beneficial as you write your speech for a debate. The things you need to take note of how to write an opening statement for debate has been exposed to help you write an opening statement that achieves the right purpose.
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What Are Examples Of Debate Opening Statements? Killer Debate Opening Statements

Crafting a debate is simple. A debate is a structured holding of a specific subject. Speakers have the chance to present their ideas that propose or go against the subject matter. However, coming up with a debate opening statement is a challenging task.
An opening statement is a crucial part of a debate. It offers the first impression to the audience and prepares them for the shreds of evidence to be presented eventually in the debate.
If you are a beginner in debates, do not beat so hard on yourself for not knowing how to write an opening statement. The article here will guide you accordingly on how to be a star in debate opening statements.
Elements Of Opening Statements
Whether a trial or a school debate, a debate needs to contain the following essential elements.
The opening statement should entail a theme that acts as a framework for any evidence presented. The theme needs to align perfectly with the topic evidence and support your debate side.
Most times, theme expression might be difficult with no backed-up arguments. Arguments are not allowed in opening statements.
As long as the opening statement remains non-argumentative, debate rules might allow you; to state the theme of the case at the beginning and end of an opening statement.
The most significant way of developing an opening statement is by using a single summary sentence. Employ a non-lawyer tone when doing that.
Present the heart of the case effectively by answering the question, what really happened here?
Present the scene
After introducing the theme of the case, this is the time to present the scene. Work on your framework that you earlier presented.
You might illustrate the scene in a story and present people and papers as they naturally align with the case theme. Stir up the audience’s attention and make them look forward to it as the debate progresses.
No arguments
The debate audience cannot generate opinions until all the pieces of evidence are laid out. As mentioned above, it is improper to bring in arguments during opening statements.
How can a debate participant introduce his or her case without arguing? You can manage through this by ensuring your opening statement properly presents what the laid-out evidence proves.
It would help if you did not express your opinions in an opening statement nor send attacks to the opponent side.
All you need to succeed without arguing is to assemble your evidence and facts appropriately.
To pass this test, ask yourself this question; are you effectively describing the presented evidence or rather drawing a conclusion from it?
The description should be part of the opening statement. The conclusion belongs to the closing argument.
Despite arguments being non-permissible in debate opening statements, you still need to be persuasive. To make your debate part fascinating, describe your evidence results to your audience.
The facts will firmly argue the case. There will be no need for arguments when you perfectly fit your facts and evidence.
Deal with all facts
Is it important to expose the “bad” factual information in your opening statement? It is quite wise to address even the harmful information before your opponent side does it for you.
By presenting both the bad and good information, you might earn more credits from the audience.
You might alternatively wait and see how the debate activities will flow. Most times, the audience does not expect a negative opinion about your debate evidence.
You can go along with the middle ground and spend few moments discussing the damaging information. Or, you might pass through the positive evidence first and then address the harmful facts. Try to emphasize their less importance to the debate subject.
Exaggeration
The debate opening statement should be straightforward. Avoid beating about the bush. Nonetheless, it would be best if you leveraged exaggeration in some debate cases.
For example, you might take keen on the other’s party pleadings. There might be the use of exaggerated facts that lack suitable proof.
Your opening statement might be highly effective if you move around the debate space. It applies to the sections aligning with the set rules . You can employ movements when pitching out a new different point.
It will grab more attention from the audience and keep them intact to your debate case. For critical points, you might get closer to the audience for stronger emphasis.
However, do not overdo the movements. Do not let the audience grasp more of your movements than your debate points. Move around effectively. You will act as a threat when you invade the audience’s space.
Tips For Writing Opening Statements
Now that we know the crucial elements of debate opening statements like the back of our hands let us jump in for several tips on writing opening statements.

Note down your introductory remarks
You need to be aggressive in your opening statement. During the first minutes of your opening statement, the audience is more alert. Create a good impression and win their attention.
You might give remarks of a summary of your points and proclaim your theme.
Mention your actors and places
At this part, you might want to introduce your things; papers or witnesses. It helps in making the evidence real. The audience might likely engage and believe in your tale.
Define and identify your disputes
It would be helpful to define your points of contention to the audience. You may outline, in simple language, the contents, and reactions of the complaint. Portray a general aspect of the conflict without attacking the other party.
Tell a story
The story section is the body of your opening statement. Gather around simple words and sentences when telling the story. Most times, the audience gets facts from this part .
Also, the stories need to be persuasive to stick to the audience’s minds. They should make sense with the evidence laid out. And make the audience anticipate the debate progress.
Point out your weaknesses
Discussing your weaknesses at the beginning might make you look honest. However, try to shade some positive attitude when your opponent brings that up.
Keep the section brief. Only include weaknesses that might interfere when showcasing your supporting evidence and facts.
Conclude your opening statement
You can conclude your opening statement by summarizing your theme and asking the audience for a particular decision.
Finish off your opening statement with a confident stature. Be sure the audience knows your stand on the topic and their remaining role to play.
Standard Rules For A Debate
There are standard rules you need to comply with when running a debate . Regardless of being an organizer, or a participant, you need to follow them strictly.
You may get yourself disqualified in case you breach these laws. Thus, it would be best to have a clear grasp of the debate rules to avoid penalties.
Here are the rules;
Speak and treat each other fairly when in the debate. You are not allowed to use unethical language. You might save all the attacks for the arguments of the other party.
Typically, a political or legal debate awards its participants a specified time to present their views. You need to plan your ideas accordingly and pitch them out within this restricted timeline. Most opening statements take around ten to twenty minutes in front of the audience.
The ideal importance of the allocated time is to create fairness among the debate participants during their presentation. Therefore, you need to be straightforward when delivering your points and leverage your time .
Otherwise, your speech might be incomplete when the time runs out. It is a violation for a debate participant to interrupt another one during their speech. Every person has his or her time to present his or her views.
Debates do vary. Some of them might require them to hand over their papers in time. If this case applies to you, conclude your paper early for impressive reviews.
A Short Example Of An Opening Statement
Below is an outline sample of an opening statement for your debate.
The motion statement for the debate for this example is, technology harms our future .
Your opening statement might be:
Honorable Chair, our motion today is, technology harms our future. I take this opportunity to present my views against the motion.
As we all know, there is always a status of balance for everything. Technology, too, comes along with its benefits and harms. With its dynamic state, it has brought improvements to our education alongside health systems.
With all these vast benefits, how can technology be harmful to our future? Remember to use persuasive language and a confident tone. Also, you can back up your views with relevant quotes.
I believe the information presented above will assist you in crafting your opening statements for the coming debates.
It would be best to bear the tips above in mind. If you organize your points and evidence effectively within the allotted time, nothing will stand in your way from winning the debate.
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- How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples
How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples
Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on September 14, 2022.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
- Catch your reader’s attention.
- Give background on your topic.
- Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.
Table of contents
Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Examples: Writing a good hook
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
- Braille was an extremely important invention.
- The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
- The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
- The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
- Historical, geographical, or social context
- An outline of the debate you’re addressing
- A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
- Definitions of key terms
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
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Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
Checklist: Essay introduction
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
- Argumentative
- Literary analysis
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:
- An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
- Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
- A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
- It gives your writing direction and focus.
- It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
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Six Easy Steps to Write a Debate
- Author: K S Lane

This article explores how to write a debate in six easy steps.
Wikimedia Commons
Six Tips for Writing a Debate
Whether it was for an English class, as a part of a club, or just for pleasure, almost everyone has had to write a debate at some point or another in their life.
However, just because most people have done it before doesn’t mean that writing a debate is easy. There are a hundred different things to consider:
- Should you lead by appealing to your audience's emotions or cut straight to the chase with some cold hard facts?
- How many arguments should you include in your debate?
- Do you need to add a conclusion?
To help take away the guesswork, this article demonstrates how to structure and write a debate in six easy steps. By following this method you’re giving yourself the best possible chance at coming out on top in your next verbal sparring match.
Step One: A Strong Opening
Every good debate starts with a strong opening line. If you're dealing with something emotionally charged, as debate topics tend to be, then starting with a similarly emotional opener is the best way to go.
For example, if you were arguing for your country to take in more refugees then an opening line might be something like, "Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be forced to leave your home? To be so scared of violence or other persecution that you and your family have to leave behind everything you've ever known and travel to a new country?" Don't get caught up in the idea that facts are completely separate from emotions, either.
Adding a powerful statistic to the opening line of your debate can work just as well. For example, if you were arguing that your school should increase suicide awareness you could start with, "Did you know that close to 800,000 people die of suicide every year?"
If your topic isn't obviously emotional, then sticking to a surprising or concerning statistic can still inject a bit of feeling into your opening line. You should be aiming to make your audience and your adjudicator sit up a little straighter in their chairs.
Step Two: Defining the Topic
After your opening, you need to make the subject that you're talking about crystal-clear to your listeners. To do this, state your topic and your team's position on the topic.
For example, "Today we're here to discuss the topic X. As the affirmative/negative side, my team firmly believes that Y."
You should also make certain to define any key words in your topic. This doesn't have to be a literal dictionary definition, but could rather be your view on what the word means in the context of the topic or the issue at large. While this may seem pedantic, it's important to do so that you know that you and your opponent are on the same page. It's incredibly hard to debate someone when they have a different idea of what the topic means than you do.
If you're not the first speaker in the debate, then you should use this slot to either agree with or contend the definition that your opponent gave. If they didn't give a definition, feel free to provide your own as if you were the first speaker).

If you don't define your topic then you might just find that you're debating a completely different topic to your opponent.
Step Three: Signposting
Signposting may seem annoying and unnecessary. If you're a word-enthusiast it can even seem like it's disrupting the flow of your otherwise smooth and lyrical speech. However, it's completely and totally necessary in the structure of a good debate. You may think that you've written the best and most easy-to-follow debate in the world, but the fact is that the audience isn't you. They don't know the topic you're covering in the depth that you know it and they're certainly not as invested in the debate as you are. They might zone out for a few moments in the introduction and then get completely lost. This is what makes signposting so important; it's a way to simply and effectively remind your listener of what you're talking about and where you're up to in your speech. At the end of your introduction add a few sentences that tell the listener how many points you're going to be making and in what order you're going to be making them.
For example, "To begin my case, I'm going to argue X. I'll then move on to demonstrate Y and will conclude by examining Z." At the start of each argument, you can then remind the audience of what you're talking about by saying, "Firstly, I'm going to be arguing X."
While this may seem simplistic and like you're expecting the audience to have fallen asleep on you, it’s actually completely essential and makes your debate easier to follow.

Signposting is critical in any good debate. Without it, you might just find that your audience gets lost.
Step Four: Rebuttal
The phrase 'sometimes the best offence is a good defence' isn't just a cliché. If you've ever watched a professional debate you’ll know that the most compelling part is usually when one side takes one of the arguments of the opposition and then absolutely shreds it to pieces. While it's fantastic to watch, it's also the most difficult part of any debate to execute correctly. Rebutting arguments forces you to think completely on the spot. You have about thirty seconds to make an argument that your opposition has likely spent hours researching and honing and convincingly refute it. Luckily, there are some strategies that you can use while rebutting that make the challenge a little less daunting. These include:
- Pre-research: If you've got your debate topic before the day of the debate then the best asset that you have is time. Use it . After you've crafted your own arguments put yourself in your opponent's shoes and try to anticipate what the arguments that they're going to use are. Once you have a good list write out a rebuttal for each of them. This way when you're in the actual debate and hear an argument from your opponent that you'd already anticipated you can whip out a pre-prepared rebuttal complete with facts and figures to boost your credibility, rather than having to come up with something completely on the spot.
- "What's the point?" If your opposition is arguing for a change to be made there’s a key idea you can focus on when you’re rebutting them. If your opponent is advocating for some elaborate change of a government policy or social ideology but they've neglected to explain what the benefits of the said change are, then that's your opportunity to swoop: "My opponent has explained their proposed change in extreme detail. However, they've failed to explain what the point of the change is." If your interlocutor has explained the benefits of the change, but not very well, then you can use the same approach but soften it a little: "My opponent has stated that his/her proposed changes will have the benefit of X. However, given the amount of effort that would be required to make the changes X simply isn't worth it."
- Economic Challenges: Bringing up economic challenges is so useful because it works with virtually every debate topic imaginable. Any topic on social justice, a current issue, a governmental policy or something completely left-field will have an economic link. If your opponent says that your country should be letting in more refugees rebut them by explaining the burden on the economy that it would create to relocate so many more people. If they argue that your country should stop letting in refugees, rebut them by talking about the potential that skilled refugees have to benefit the economy. It's an incredibly durable argument which is why it makes for a great on-the-spot rebuttal.
- Use your own arguments: Twisting your own arguments to rebut an opponent's point is a simple but effective way to mount a defence against your own case. Of course, going overboard and rattling out your entire pre-prepared argument is a huge mistake (what will you talk about later?!) but you can distill the body of your speech into distinct points that you can use to rebut your opposition. For example, if you're debating about tolerance towards refugees and your opponent brings up the idea that refugees can cause societal unrest you can reshape one of your planned arguments, that refugees contribute to multiculturalism and allow the best bits of different cultures to be merged, and say that, "Rather than causing societal unrest refugees actually contribute greatly to society through helping to encourage multiculturalism, which I'll elaborate on in my own arguments later." In one sentence you've rebutted your opponent's argument and also set things up nicely to introduce your own argument when the time comes.

Just like in boxing, in debating sometimes the best offence is a good defence. That's where rebuttal comes in.
Step Five: Your Arguments
And now we've reached the most important part of your debate; the arguments. To make things easier, I've broken this heading down into four simple subtopics.
- Deciding what to argue : If you get lucky with your debate topic then twenty arguments for and against might immediately spring to mind. If it's more of a niche topic, however, it may require research to come up with talking points. Look into the background of the issue. Read news articles and opinion pieces and even try browsing some debating websites for ideas. Once you have a really good understanding of the topic the right arguments will jump out at you no matter how difficult your position is.
- The layout: Writing an argument for a debate is almost the same thing as writing a body paragraph for an essay. You should begin each argument by signposting, ie. "Firstly, I'm going to argue…" and then follow up with a one-sentence summary of your argument. After this, you need to elaborate on your point a little, give some facts and statistics to legitimise what you're saying, and then at the end link neatly back to the topic of the debate so it's clear to the audience that you're not just giving a passionate rant, but instead are making a carefully calculated point that ties in with a general thesis statement. Generally in a debate, the best way to keep your speech going for long enough is to have three arguments. This is the sweet spot between having enough time to flesh out your points and not having to ramble for too long on the same thing. In regards to what order you should put your arguments in, the general consensus is that you should lead with a strong argument and end with one too. If you have an obviously weaker argument try to sandwich it in between the two better ones.
- Finding evidence: If your topic is one that requires you to dredge up statistics and use experts at every turn then you need to make sure that you're doing it correctly. Inserting the right evidence into your debate makes you more credible, but using the wrong kind of evidence from the wrong kind of sources leaves you vulnerable to attack by the opposition. To find the right sort of evidence to cite the first step is to check the source. If it's a book, is it by a reputable author or published by a reputable house? If it's a website, is it an educational one? A government one? If it's a news article, who wrote it? Secondly, make sure that it's a recent fact or figure. If you're dredging up numbers from the 1980s and your opposition realises it then you're in real trouble. Thirdly, make sure that the evidence is backed up by at least three or more sources. Even if it's a convenient statistic that fits right into your argument it's going to do more harm than good unless you can verify it using other sources. Doing these three things takes time and makes evidence much harder to find, but in the long run, it's worth it. Your evidence is the backbone of your argument; if it's not strong enough then the whole thing is going to collapse.
- Persuasive strategies: In English class, most students learn about written persuasive strategies; the ways that journalists and authors try to sway their audience towards a certain position by using humour, metaphors, and appeals to logic. What a lot of people aren't taught is that spoken persuasive strategies are pretty much the same. You can be as colourful in a debate as you would be in a written persuasive piece. You can use similes and alliterations to your heart’s content. If you're debating at school then your English teacher will love you for it and if you're preparing your speech for a club or other external debating society you'll still be more well-regarded than people who don't have any 'spark' in their content. It goes without saying that you should keep things respectful- don't insult your opponents and don't use humour where it's not appropriate, but other than the obvious constraints you can (and should ) use as many persuasive strategies as you can manage.

Your arguments will be what make or break your debate. Make sure that they're well researched and packed full of persuasive strategies!
To Sum Everything Up:
Your speech's structure should read as follows:
Step Six: Conclusion
The conclusion to any piece of writing is one of the most important parts. It sums up the points you've made in the body of your text and leaves the reader with a take-home message that should make them feel as if they've gained something by reading your piece. For writing a debate, this rule is no different. Fortunately, aside from being one of the most important bits of your speech, writing a conclusion for a debate is also the easiest part. All you really have to do is sum up the arguments that you've made. Try not to repeat them word for word, but instead rephrase your topic sentences and, if you have the time, include an important statistic or two that you included as evidence. If you're the last speaker in a team debate you need to make sure that you also sum up your team member's best arguments in your conclusion too. At the very end, you could choose to firmly restate your position on the subject or perhaps reiterate an emotional call that you made in your introduction. Finally, you should thank your audience for listening and your opponent for his or her time. You want to come across as grateful and humble, even if you have just delivered a killer speech.
Questions & Answers
Question: How long should a debate be?
Answer: The length of a debate depends on what level you're debating at. A typical middle school debate probably wouldn't exceed five minutes, while high school and college debates often go over ten minutes. If you're unsure check with your teacher or your head adjudicator; it's important to get the length of your speech right to avoid losing marks.
© 2018 K S Lane
Anupam Mitu from MUMBAI on August 22, 2020:
Thank you for sharing
kata on August 19, 2020:
Thank you so much, this was useful
Ayp on July 26, 2020:
Hannim on July 24, 2020:
Thanks I'm determined to become a perfect lawyer in future.
some one you helped on June 23, 2020:
hi you helped me so so so much during class debates and guiding me through it.
i'm sure my teacher is going to appreciate my work you've helped me with.
Queen on June 08, 2020:
i really appreciate your guidance in writing my debate
H on June 01, 2020:
I really appreciate this article. because this helpful article made me enhance my skills in writing a debate properly and how to respect your opponent while debating. Thank you so much!
Abdallah Mansaray on May 19, 2020:
I am grateful for your contributions towards my developments in public speaking and debating
Yang on May 09, 2020:
Thanks for the ideas/concepts
Oscar Fiifi on April 28, 2020:
Thankyou sooo much. I read this article to help a friend but now surprisingly I seem to see Debate from a different perspective. I always thought I was kinda boring. But now I've changed my mind. Honestly.
Ranveer on April 21, 2020:
Wow! This really helped me
CeCe on March 11, 2020:
Thanks very much I will be debating soon and you have really helped me
Pulinda Kasun on December 06, 2019:
Thanks very much for the advice..This's the first time I'm going to participate a debate.
This article helps me a lot to polish my debating skills..
Michael James on July 17, 2019:
Thanks for your ideas, they really work
Jenny on June 18, 2019:
How should you conclude ONE of your arguments before going on to the next one?
hi on June 10, 2019:
appreciated
How to Write a Good Debate Essay
When the word “debate” occurs in an essay title, you are being asked to examine a subject in which there are opposing views. The aim is that your essay will lead to support for one side, based on clear argument, effective judgement and justification for the decisions presented and arguments presented. The foundation of a good debate essay is effectively completing research combined with being able to refer to facts and credible information. The biggest challenge is to remain unemotional, whilst still persuading your audience of the validity of the arguments you are making in support of your chosen side.
Writing your debate essay
Introduction.
Your introduction should ensure that your reader understands what topic is being debated and encourage them to read more. One effective way to start is with a question, which sets the stage for you to state your position on the subject (your thesis statement). For example, “Does online learning creates laziness in students?”.
The aim is that your readers will have an immediate answer to the question, and this then drives the arguments you are presenting. An alternative approach is to refute a statement, framing the subject negatively, for example, “There are studies which suggest online learning creates laziness, however, studies have shown that online learning actually increases motivation”. In this case you are encouraging the reader to support your argument. In both cases, you have set a foundation with your introduction which needs to be built on by effective arguments and evidence.
The body text of your debate essay should be separated into paragraphs, each one of which will cover a different reason / rationale for the viewpoint you set out in your introduction. For each point you should provide back-up information from credible sources, which demonstrates that you have evaluated evidence before drawing a conclusion and opinion. Each paragraph should introduce your argument for or against, depending on your perspective, and include where appropriate, statistical evidence, illustrative data and clearly referenced sources. A good tip with a debate essay is to also present the counterargument for your point and refute it with viable sources to demonstrate why it is incorrect, demonstrating your understanding of the subject. The structure of the body text should be logical, moving from one argument to another with effective connections such as “Furthermore”, “Notwithstanding”, “Moreover” or similar to ensure coherence of argument.
The conclusion to your debate essay should be a summing up of all the positive points you have made, reaffirming your stance on the issue and should refer back to your thesis statement or original question. This enables you to demonstrate that you have effectively provided a strong justification for your point of view and in so doing, persuaded the reader of the accuracy of your perspective and opinion.
Key Words for a Debate Essay
- In the same way
- On the other hand
- Nevertheless
- On the contrary
- Subsequently
- Specifically
- Furthermore
- In consequence
Tips For Writing A Debate Essay
An argumentative paper depends on various aspects that can either build the conversation or break it. Here is how to write a debate essay step by step and get your point through in a convincing manner:
- Choose the topic wisely. Make sure it is a controversial topic that can have a debate both ways. You can pick any topic from child education to medicinal marijuana. The topic itself needs to have a compelling pull to keep the audience involved.
- Once the topic is decided, figure out which side you are on. For topics like domestic violence, most people will be against it, but you can still create an argument around it confidently.
- Make sure you have done your research to articulate the facts and stats which go both in favour and against the topic. Your opponents may have a different perspective than you, but if you have solid grounds that can prove your stance, you can make them agree with you.
- Know your audience. The readers of your essay will be very crucial to you building your argument. If you are writing a term paper, you may focus more on sentence building, structuring, and formatting. But if you are drafting for a competition, you need solid supporting research which can be cited and argued.
- Have your facts ready. Without figures and numbers, a paper loses credibility. It becomes more of an opinion-piece than a debate essay grounded in facts.
- The last, the most important factor. Select an issue you are most passionate about. If you feel strongly about it, you will be able to express your thoughts and also be able to research it with dedication.
Consider these tips combined when you think about how to make a debate essay convincing and interesting. Don’t forget, your opponent may not agree at all with your verdict, but at least you would present your vision with strong arguments and leave a good impression on the readers.
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8 Tips How To Write Debate Speech That Wins ( Outline & Example)
- April 21, 2022
This is the most complete guide on How To Write Debate Speech on the Web. Period.
In fact, you’ll find tips, tactics and actionable examples on this page.
So if you’re looking into writing a debate speech you’ll really enjoy this post.
Let’s start our article with how to write debate speech by getting straight to what a debate speech actually is. Our speech paper writing service will have you covered.
- What is Debate Speech?
How to Prepare for the Debate Speech
How to write debate speech outline, how to start a debate speech , how to finish a debate speech.

What is Debate Speech?
A debate involves understanding how it works. Discussion topics, or “resolutions”, will be given to you. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the resolution, your team must take a position. Other times, you will be asked to adopt a particular position, and sometimes you will be forced to do so.
If you speak in favor or against the resolution, you will be the first to speak. The average duration of these speeches is approximately four minutes.
Following the presentation of the first speech, speakers present opposing arguments for or against it. This requires listening carefully as well as being able to respond to any arguments. Crossfire segments are often included, where speakers are free to ask questions and discuss the topic openly.
It is sometimes necessary to summarize the points made during the first round of discussion and close the round of debate with a second speech for and against.
Before you come up with the debate speech, you should consider;
Ensure You Have Credible Information On The Topic
Conduct an in-depth analysis of the topic with credible sources . You need to spend a lot of time trying to understand the resolution completely because you will be required to refute the other side’s arguments as well as give your own speech.
Prepare your topic before starting to write by brainstorming and researching it . Develop a list of arguments in favor and against the topic. Do this together with other members of the debate team . They can discuss the points supporting and opposing each reason and then find the weakest reasons until they are left with three to four very strong reasons to support or refute.
Spend some time researching the key reasons you think are the most valid in the library or online using credible sources. Check out books, academic journals, credible newspapers, etc. On the internet, there is a wealth of unverified information.
As a professional speech writer , the structure you have when you sit down to write the speech, the easier it will be to organize your thoughts. Whenever delivering your final speech, make sure you memorize it or rely on notes.
There are four basic parts of a basic debate outline:
- The introduction
- The thesis argument
- Key points that support your position
- And the conclusion.
If there are certain key words the judges may question you about, be prepared to define them.
There are four parts, each of which can be broken down further. An introduction and conclusion should often be written last, so focus first on your thesis statement and supporting evidence.
Start THE Speech By Introducing The First Impression
Create an introduction that is interesting and catches the reader’s attention. When you introduce the topic, you should make sure that it is clearly and concisely stated. Nevertheless, you should start your writing with colorful flourishes that indicate the theme.
Formal greetings are appropriate for the jury or the audience . For example, you can start the conversation by saying, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.” The discussion takes a very formal tone.
A good first impression is very important for the judges. A good first impression gives the judges confidence that the speaker is persuasive. Contextualizing the topic is one way to write a strong introduction, particularly when it is related to real-life events.
The introduction can also include famous examples, quotes, or a personal anecdote that establishes rapport with the audience and judges. Humor carries certain risks, and if used improperly, it can lead to awkward silences. So be careful when using it. Introduce the topic in a way that clearly demonstrates your point. We have a separate complete guide on how to write a speech introduction that it might give you more insight under this section.
Clarify Your Stance
Don’t let your stance on the topic be guessed by your audience or judges. Do you agree with the resolution or disagree? State your opinion clearly and without ambiguity. Maintain your composure.
Don’t Let Your Position Confuse You
Don’t delay or contradict yourself when affirming or denying the resolution. It is also important that the audience does not have to wait until the end to find out the position you take. It is important that you state your position clearly from the beginning.
In this case, you can say, “My partner and I strongly reject (or affirm) the resolution that declares unilateral military force is justified by the US to prevent nuclear proliferation.”
Support Your Position With The Key Points
At the beginning of your speech, you should highlight the most important points. Using examples is a brilliant way to demonstrate why you believe what you believe.
The rule of thumb is to provide three to four supporting arguments to support your position. In order to support the position you have taken, you need more than one or two key points.
In the body of the speech (you’re key points and their development), you should devote the longest amount of time (perhaps three minutes and twelve seconds for the introduction and for the conclusion, depending on the rules of debate).
Create a list of the key points. Your arguments need to be well supported. Include examples, statistics, and other evidence to support each of the main points. Make them stronger.
Examine The Problem’s Causes
Then discuss the problems, their causes, their effects, the opinions of the experts, the examples, the statistics and suggest solutions. Don’t use generic terms but instead, try using visuals. Make it visual, not verbal. Be specific and explain your points.
Make an emotional connection with the listener by appealing to their motives and emotions. They are influenced by it because of their sense of fairness, their desire for savings, to be useful, and to care for the community. Include examples that explain how this affects people.
When presenting a case, use rhetorical questions to make your opponents consider your point; irony to weaken your point and appear more sophisticated; similes to give your audience something they can understand; humor to get your point across; and repetition to reinforce your point.
Employ Persuasion: Is An Art That Can Be Learned
You will be better able to convince someone in a debate if you understand how ancient philosophers persuaded people.
Aristotle wrote that it was possible to be persuasive if one combined elements of logos (persuasion through rational reasoning), pathos (emotional appeal) and ethos (character as a motivational force). Showing intelligence and goodwill, for example.
It is possible to use logic in two ways:
- Inductively -by using statistics or anecdotes to prove your point
- Deductively – by providing concrete evidence
Deduction is also a form that proves a point by introducing a general principle connected to the specific topic to infer a conclusion.
It would be useful to say, “I oppose all wars except those that involve imminent self-defense, and therefore it must be opposed, since it is a war that does not involve imminent self-defense, and that is the reason”; or you can say the opposite.
It’s A Good Idea To Use Pathos Sparingly
A dangerous appeal is the one based on emotion. You need to appeal to reason at the center of your appeal. On the other hand, logical reasoning without any pathos can make a speech seem dry. Make sure you consider how you want your audience to feel. One way to use pathos well is to describe how a problem affects real people.
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You should write a compelling conclusion.
Your position on the topic should be reiterated at the end to help solidify your point of view. It is a good idea to end your article with a strong call to action as well as your intention to do something.
You can conclude the speech in a strong manner by referring back to the introduction and linking the conclusion to the same theme as the opening.
The use of quotations can be an effective way of concluding a speech. To ensure that the key points of the speech remain fresh in the minds of the judges, you may also conclude with a good recap of what you said.
Start from the beginning and finish your presentation . Those who are proficient speakers develop their presentations. Despite understanding the power of strategically timed pauses, the speaker pays close attention to the desired tone (firm, moderate, etc.).
Reading a speech verbatim is not recommended. It is crucial that you memorize the speech and that you use notes or an outline when delivering it. However, this should sound natural and not over rehearsed. Having done your research will make your debate speech stronger. In order to refute the opposition’s arguments, you will need to think for yourself.
Make sure you speak clearly and loudly, and be aware of your rhythm. Make sure you do not talk too rapidly or too slowly. Being confident is important when it comes to persuasion.
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How to Write a Debate Speech
Last Updated: July 10, 2022 References
This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,363,700 times.
So, you've joined debate, and it's time to write a debate speech. There are some tried and true methods to writing an effective debate speech. If you understand them, and the components that make up a standard debate speech, you will increase your chances of success.
Sample Speeches

Preparing for the Debate Speech

- You may be asked to stand affirmative or negative. In LD (Lincoln-Douglas debate), the first affirmative speech will be at most 7 minutes long, and the first negative speech will be at most 6 minutes. [1] X Research source
- The speakers then present arguments against the earlier affirmative or negative speech that was just read. Speakers must listen carefully and be able to counter arguments. There are two segments involving cross-examination (CX), in which the debaters are allowed to ask questions and openly debate the topic. This is most often called cross-examination, or cx for short, and occurs after the first affirmative speech, and the first negative speech.
- The best thing you can do to better understand LD/PF/Policy debate is practice and research.

- Brainstorm the topic, and research it before you sit down to write. Write out a list of key components for both sides of the issue. If you are on a debate team, do this together. Each member could discuss the key component list, in order to figure out which issues you want to cover in each speech.
- Spend some time at the library or on the Internet using credible sources to research the key reasons that seem strongest. Use books, scholarly journals, credible newspapers, and the like. Be very cautious about unverified information bandied about on the Internet.
- You will also want prepare to deal with the strongest arguments your opponent(s) might make. Ignoring the other side’s best arguments can weaken your rhetorical appeal.

- A basic debate outline should contain six parts: An attention-getter, your stated stance (aff or neg)/ restatement of the resolution, your definitions, your value, criterion, and contentions.
- You can break each of those six parts into subcategories. It’s often a good idea to write the contentions last, focusing on the value and criterion to hold it up first. [4] X Research source
Writing the Debate Speech

- You should address the jury or audience with formal salutations. For example, you could say something like, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.” Debates are very formal in tone.
- Making a good first impression with the judges is very important. This leads judges to assume the debater is persuasive. One technique to write a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially in relation to real world events. [6] X Research source
- Introductions can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges. Be careful using humor; it involves risks and can lead to awkward silences if not done right. Find a relevant specific that illustrates the underlying point.

- Don’t muddle your position. It needs to be extremely clear whether you affirm or negate the resolution, so don’t hem and haw and contradict yourself. The audience also should not have to wait until the end to find out. Make your stance very clear, and do it early on
- For example, you could say, “my partner and I firmly negate (or affirm) the resolution which states that unilateral military force by the United States is justified to prevent nuclear proliferation.” [7] X Research source

- A good rule of thumb is to back up your position with 3-4 strong points of supporting argumentation. You definitely need to have more than 1 or 2 key points to back up the stance you have taken.
- The body of the speech – the key points and their development – should be, by far, the longest part of the debate speech (perhaps 3 ½ minutes to 30 seconds for an opening and for a conclusion, depending on the rules of the debate you are doing).

- Focus on the causes of the problem, the effects of the problem, expert opinion, examples, statistics, and present a solution. Try to use visual images, not just generic terms – show don’t tell, and illustrate a point with details. [10] X Research source
- Appeal to the motives and emotions of the listener with a light touch. Appeal to their sense of fair play, desire to save, to be helpful, to care about community, etc. Ground examples in how people are affected.
- Try using rhetorical questions, which make your opponents consider the validity of their point; irony, which undermines their point and makes you seem more mature and intelligent; simile, which gives them something to relate to; humor, which gets the audience on your side when done well; and repetition, which reinforces your point.

- Aristotle believed that speakers were more persuasive if they combined elements of logos (persuasion by reasoning) with pathos (having an element of emotional appeal) and ethos (an appeal based on the character of the speaker) - for example, that they seem intelligent or of good will.
- There are two ways to use logic – inductive (which makes the case with measurable evidence like statistics or a specific anecdote or example) and deductive (which makes the case by outlining a general principle that is related to the specific topic to infer a conclusion from it - as in, I oppose all wars except those involving imminent self defense; thus, I must oppose this one because it's a war that was not in imminent self defense, and here's why). Or the reverse.
- You should use pathos sparingly. Emotional appeal on its own can be dangerous. Logos - the appeal to reason - should be at the core. However, logical appeal without any pathos at all can render a speech dry and dull. Consider what you are trying to make your audience feel. Explaining how a topic affects real people is one way to use pathos well.
Concluding the Debate Speech

- One strong way to conclude a debate speech is to bookend the conclusion with the opening, by referring back to the introduction and tying the conclusion into the same theme.
- Quotations can be a good way to end a speech. You can also end with a brief summation of the key arguments of the speech to ensure they remain fresh in judges’ minds.

- Use a clear, loud voice, and be careful to watch pacing. You don’t want to speak too loud or too slowly. Remember that confidence goes a long way toward persuasion.
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- Never add new points in your speech because you still have time, as you might not present it in the best way. When you are nervous, you might even say an argument in favor of the other side and you don't want that. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 23 Not Helpful 1
- Don't use all your points in your debate- in an actual debate, it is sometimes useful to have other information to cite if the argument starts going their way ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 20 Not Helpful 2
- Never degrade your topic. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 23 Not Helpful 3

- Remember, just because you can write a debate speech, it doesn't mean you can say a debate speech effectively. Practice! ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 16 Not Helpful 5
You Might Also Like

- ↑ http://www.learndebating.com/english/DEBATING.pdf
- ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/hismun/how-to-write-an-opening-speech
- ↑ http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/resource-support/net/networking_debate_part%202.pdf
- ↑ http://debateable.org/debate-strategies/constructing-a-speech
- ↑ http://www.oxfordsd.org/Page/5582
- ↑ http://www.bestlibrary.org/ss11/2007/02/debate_how_to_m.html
About This Article

To write a debate speech, start by researching the topic thoroughly with credible and scholarly sources, and make an outline of your argument including an introduction, thesis argument, key points, and conclusion. Write the thesis argument and develop 3-4 strong points of argumentation. Be sure to clearly state your stance, and utilize expert opinions, statistics, and examples to support your opinion. To finish the speech, write an interesting introduction that incorporates your thesis and a brief conclusion that summarizes your main points. If you want to learn more, such as how to make your debate speech persuasive, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Debate Speech Examples
- Speech Templates
- Welcome Speech

1. Preparing for the Debate Speech
2. research the topic very thoroughly with credible information..
- Brainstorm the topic and research before you sit down to write. Write out a pro and con list. If you are on a debate team, do this together. Each member could discuss the pro and con lists, and then strike the weaker reasons until you are left with three or four reasons that seem strongest in support or opposition.You may also see self introduction speech .
- It also helps to spend time in the library since not every resource material can be found on the internet.
- You and the team would also want to deal with the strongest arguments on the other side in your speech as ignoring the other side’s best arguments can weaken your rhetorical appeal.You may also see informative speech .
3. Write an outline of your speech.
- A simple debate outline should at least contain these four parts: An introduction, your thesis argument, your key points to back your stance up, and a conclusion. For unknown terminologies, prepare a definition in advance so that you can have an answer when the judges ask you may also see presentation speech .
- You can break each of those four part into subcategories. It’s often a good idea to write the introduction and conclusion last, focusing on the thesis argument and the evidence to back it up first.

Writing the Debate Speech
1. write an introduction that is catchy and interesting..
- For instance, a simple good morning to all parties involved and witnessing the said debate will suffice. There is no need for extra remarks or commentaries if not asked.You may also see orientation speech
- its critical to always make a good impression, especially to the judges as this will make them think that the debater is persuasive speech. In order to achieve this, one technique in writing a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially when the topic depicts a present situation.
- Some introduction speech can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges. Be mindful when using humor though as it involves risks that can eventually lead to awkward silences if not done right. Find a relevant specific that illustrates the underlying point.
2. Outline where you stand very clearly.
- Don’t muddle on your assigned stance. It needs to be extremely clear whether you affirm or negate the resolution, so don’t try to confuse and eventually contradict yourself in the middle of the debate. The audience also should not have to wait until the end to find out. Make your stance very clear, and do it early on. You may also see declamation speech .
3. Make key points to back up your stance.
- One good way to do this is to back up your position with three to four strong points of supporting argumentation. More than one to two key points are required to back up your stance.
- In every speech, the body or the “meat” of the speech is always the most important part . But keep in mind that you will only be given a short span of time for you to say your piece before time runs out (perhaps 3 ½ minutes to 30 seconds for an opening and for a conclusion, depending on the given rules of the debate).
4. Develop your key points.
5. understand the art of persuasion., more design, 6+ analytical essay examples, samples, 5+ literary analysis examples & samples, 5+ photo essay examples, samples, 5+ persuasive essay examples, samples, 5+ vacation checklist examples and samples, 4+ persuasive speech examples, samples, program examples, the difference between flyers, leaflets, brochures and pamphlets, 28+ examples of agenda in word format, related articles.
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IMAGES
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COMMENTS
5 Ask for Introduction Review Before giving your debate speech, show your introduction paragraph to someone else like your debate coach, a peer, teacher, mentor or parent. After they've read that introduction paragraph and the supporting debate speech, ask for their opinions on the content.
To be persuasive, the language and tone need to be confident, positive and authoritative. The points made must be valid and relevant. 2. Logical: the presentation must be rational, explicit and articulate. 3. Informative: the presentation must be knowledgeable and educative. 4.
This provides a comprehensive information on how to begin a debate and some tips to follow as guides when presenting a debate. Example 1: "Good afternoon, honourable adjudicators, members of the opposing team, chairlady and audience. I'm the Captain of the affirmative side. Today, our motion is ______________." Example 2:
Examples of Debate Speech Introduction Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished delegates, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 13th annual Global Symposium for Regulators, in Warsaw, the city where the famous composer Frederic Chopin and physicist Marie Curie spent their childhood. I
1. Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr/Madam Chairman, distinguished guests, teachers and students. 2. The topic for our debate is 'that …
One pattern of writing an opening statement is to start your debate by giving your audience a road map into the rest of the discourse. Using the opening statement as a strategy to achieve this requires that you have a holistic overview of what you intend to say.
Stir up the audience's attention and make them look forward to it as the debate progresses. No arguments The debate audience cannot generate opinions until all the pieces of evidence are laid out. As mentioned above, it is improper to bring in arguments during opening statements.
A debate has a Chairman who conducts the debate and a timekeeper who records the time of each speaker. There are two teams: • an Affirmative - the team that agrees with the topic; and • a Negative - the team that disagrees with the topic. Each side consists of three members; first, second and third speakers.
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Step Two: Defining the Topic. After your opening, you need to make the subject that you're talking about crystal-clear to your listeners. To do this, state your topic and your team's position on the topic. For example, "Today we're here to discuss the topic X.
Writing your debate essay Introduction Your introduction should ensure that your reader understands what topic is being debated and encourage them to read more. One effective way to start is with a question, which sets the stage for you to state your position on the subject (your thesis statement).
Create an introduction that is interesting and catches the reader's attention. When you introduce the topic, you should make sure that it is clearly and concisely stated. Nevertheless, you should start your writing with colorful flourishes that indicate the theme. Formal greetings are appropriate for the jury or the audience.
Answer (1 of 9): If you are participating in a debate then always make sure that whether you are going to debate in favour the motion or against the motion. Always remember that if you are in favour of the motion then start gently by describing about your topic and give some proves related to you...
Write an introduction that is catchy and interesting. You want to introduce your topic very clearly and concisely right at the beginning of the debate speech. However, you should open with a colorful flourish that foreshadows the topic. You should address the jury or audience with formal salutations.
A simple debate outline should at least contain these four parts: An introduction, your thesis argument, your key points to back your stance up, and a conclusion. For unknown terminologies, prepare a definition in advance so that you can have an answer when the judges ask you may also see presentation speech.