how to make debate introduction writing

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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.

Expert Q&A Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

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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 Writing

Debate Writing - A Comprehensive Writing Guide

Published on: Jan 17, 2019

Last updated on: Dec 18, 2022

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A debate is a structured argument where the two sides speak for and against a specific topic. It is an excellent way to improve public speaking skills. Moreover, it also enhances our ability to develop a convincing argument. However, debate writing requires a proper format structure.

The main purpose is to persuade the audience and judge that your opinion is right. Similarly, writing a winning debate is dependent on the research work and the ability to cite the facts correctly.

Most students consider it is challenging because they do not have a clear idea of the template and debate types. Look at this blog to get a detailed understanding of drafting a perfect debate in no time.

What is Debate Writing?

A debate is a formal contest of argumentation where two opposing teams defend and attack a given resolution. Similarly, it is also a persuasive manner of speaking to convert one’s opinion into your viewpoint.

Here, the speaker either speaks for or against a particular topic being discussed. Moreover, it is the process of preparing and writing the debate before its formal presentation.

Features of Debate Writing

The following are the main features of debate writing.

• Informative -  A good debate must provide complete information and facts. It is supposed to inform and educate people with the help of logical reasoning.
• Well-reasoned -  The arguments discussed in a debate must be logical, relevant, competent, and well explained.
• Persuasive -  A debate must emphasize strong arguments to convince the people.
• Orderly -  A debate must present the facts in a structured and organized form. It should also follow a specific format.
• Dynamic -  In a debate, two teams present opposing arguments. Similarly, all the important points must be questioned and answered by each team member.

Types of Debate

Below are the different  types of debates  to help you get started.

The following is a detailed description of these debate types.

• Team Policy Debate -  It consists of two teams, each with two debaters. The main aim is to present a huge amount of data coherently.
• Cross-examination Debate -  It is considered a period between speeches. Here, the opponents ask each other to clarify and understand the points based on evidence.
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate -  It is a one on one and an open-style debate. Here, the debaters focus on arguing for or against a topic persuasively and logically.
• Spontaneous Argumentation -  Includes two teams that argue on a specific idea, but it does not require research work. Similarly, this debate focuses more on presentation than content.
• Public Forum Debate -  It includes arguments on controversial topics. Moreover, these are used to test the argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation skills of the debaters.
• Parliamentary Debate -  Such debates are used in parliaments and assemblies and are based on logic and persuasiveness.

Debate Writing Format

The debate writing for middle or high school follows the same format structure. Here, we have mentioned a detailed format for you to get an idea of the parts of a debate.

Opening Statements and Clarification

It includes opening sentences with three arguments and clarifying questions.

• Pro Team - 5 minutes
• Con Team - 2 minutes
• Con Team - 5 minutes
• Pro Team - 2 minutes

In this section, the debaters repeat and analyze the opponent’s arguments and position.

• Pro Team - 3 minutes
• Con Team - 3 minutes

Here, the debaters will summarize their positions after detailed arguments with the opposing team. Similarly, it also allows them to explain why their opinion is best.

After a detailed discussion, each team must answer the questions in a 20-minutes long session.

Check out the given debate writing template to get a better understanding.

Debate Template

How to Start a Debate?

Follow the below-given steps to start a debate speech.

• Begin with an impressive greeting
• Tell a personal story
• State an amazing fact
• Use a powerful quotation
• Ask a rhetorical question
• State a problem
• Share your opinion about the topic

How to Write a Debate?

The following are the steps to write a debate speech.

1. Understand the Debate

The first step to write a debate is by understanding its nature. Here, both teams will be given a topic, and they will choose an affirmative or negative stance.

2. Research the Topic Thoroughly

Brainstorm and research the topic thoroughly to understand all the aspects of the debate. Make a list of critical points and use credible sources to cover them in your arguments.

3. Develop a Debate Outline

Develop a basic debate speech outline that consists of three main sections. It includes an introduction, body, and conclusion that are discussed below in detail.

It is the first section of the outline that includes an attention grabber. Introduce your topic and present the context with the help of a  thesis statement . Also, provide a brief overview of the students’ arguments to understand the direction of the debate.

It is the main section of the debate that discusses the major arguments in detail. Moreover, it further includes logical reasoning and evidence to support the thesis.

The conclusion of the debate is the last chance to demonstrate significant ideas. It summarizes the main body by adding emotion and drama to the words. However, do not forget to add a closing sentence that leaves a lasting impression.

4. Writing the Debate

Start writing the final draft of your debate. Mention the crucial elements of persuasion that are logos, pathos, and ethos. These are used to explain the effects of the resolution in the real world.

Also, use  transition words  to maintain a logical flow between paragraphs. Lastly, edit and proofread your work to avoid plagiarism, grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

How to End the Debate?

End the debate by making sure that you have included the following elements. It will help you access the credibility of your debate.

• Does your debate start with an interesting greeting?
• Does it provide original content, personal experience, and a call to action?
• Does the debate follow a proper format structure?
• Does it include the correct sentence structure?
• Does it maintain logical transitions to flow ideas from one paragraph to another?
• Have you proofread or revised it for common mistakes such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
• Does the debate mention your opinion about the given topic?

Debate Writing Tips and Tricks

Here are some amazing  debate tips  and tricks for you to write a perfect one.

• It is better to know and prepare for a debate before starting it.
• Conduct thorough research work to collect relevant data and draft creative arguments about the topic.
• Brainstorm reasons to support your position.
• A writer should think relatively to identify the validity of significant claims.
• Try to understand the formal debate through a variety of personal experiences.
• Support the arguments with examples and evidence to make them more credible and authentic.
• Also, consider the perspective of the judges and audience while making a critical argument.
• Create tag lines and titles for your case.
• Do not always disagree with the opponent’s arguments. Instead, you should take notes and think logically.
• Build your case by keeping in mind all the possible objections that others can raise.
• Never make the mistake of introducing new arguments in your closing section.

Debating Techniques

Below are some easy  debating techniques  to write a primary and high school debate.

• Introduce the topic at the beginning of the debate and form an opinion about it.
• Know your audience to adjust your argument according to them.
• Assign the two sides as affirmatives and negatives.
• Take enough time to research the case and the vocabulary used for it.
• Organize your opinion and present supporting facts to persuade the audience.
• Follow a basic debate structure that includes the following period.
• Get an idea about the opponent’s arguments and advance your research by weakening them.
• Make a judgment based on the audience’s votes and your opinion about the arguments.
• Connect to the audience emotionally by presenting examples, evidence, and personal experiences.

Bad Debating Techniques

Here are some bad techniques that should be avoided while writing a debate paper.

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Strawman argument
• Appeal to ignorance
• False dilemma
• Circular argument
• Hasty reasoning
• Red herring fallacy
• Tu quoque fallacy
• Appeal to authority
• Uncertainty
• Bandwagon fallacy

Debate Writing Examples

Check out the following debate writing sample to get a better idea of the concept.

Debate Example for Ks2

Debate Example for Class 7

Debate Example for Class 8

Debate Example for Class 9

Debate Example for Class 11

Debate Example for Class 12

If you need some samples to learn speech and debate writing, refer to our  debate examples .

Debate Writing Topics

The following are some impressive debate writing prompts for you to get an idea.

• All the schools should conduct compulsory drug testing on their students.
• Middle and high schools must ban sex education.
• Is it ethical to move in before getting married?
• Academic institutes should ban smoking at college premises.
• Peer pressure is harmful to students.
• High schools should provide daycare services to students having children.
• The government should develop nuclear energy for commercial use.
• Celebrities can get away with crime more easily than non-celebrities.
• Cell phones should not be used in classrooms.
• Money motivates people more than any other factor in the workplace.

Have a look at our list of  debate topics  to get more unique ideas.

Hire Professional Writers for Your Debate Writing

This comprehensive guide to debate writing will help you write a perfect one for your high school or college. However, we know that having high-quality debates are important to you.

Therefore,  MyPerfectWords.com  is the  top essay writer service  for you. They have advanced degrees with years of experience to draft impressive cursive writing in school debates.

Furthermore, we will also provide you with a debate paper example to get an idea. All you have to do is to contact our customer team and specify your requirements.

You can also buy speeches and debates from our  writing services  at affordable rates. Thus, place your order now to get your debate written within the given deadline.

Cathy A. (Literature, Marketing)

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

People also read

Interesting Debate Topics and Ideas for Students

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide for Students

Types of Debate - A Complete Overview & Examples

Free Debate Examples for All Academic Levels

Best Debate Tips for Students - An Easy Guide

Advanced Debating Techniques for Students

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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