Debating Techniques, styles and such.

My favorite debating technique is explained here.

Etruscia:
Do you debate at a high school level? If so i might have some debate tips for you. I don't knwo how much help I would be because I am an LD Debater.

Re: Debating Techniques, styles and such.
Etruscia

Speak very loud, and with passion (as if you believe what you are saying). Here and there say something that you know people would like to hear (even if it has nothing to do with your speach).
And invite some friends of yours to support you with noisily manifestations.
In your speach try to suggest- not too obviously - that those who disagree with your ideas are ... (all that your public most detests).

I don't know if this method results all the time. But with Hitler it did.

But never, never try to be ironical, at the cost of your public. People hate that. Socrates did it, and see the result.

Good luck.

Yeah, im senior higschool level.

Its occasionally useful to allow your jacket to drape open slightly, permitting your opponent to see your shoulder holster

Master the art of "that wasn't what I meant at all" and have the cojones to back it up.

Another useful thing to know is that if there is an error of fact in an argument, it most frequently will immediately follow the phrase "It therefore is obvious... "

The Gaelic Technique always works...

"Sure have another pint of Guinness and we'll talk about it the mornin"

I'm not so sure that would work at the high school level, but you do bring back fond memories of me honeymoon in West Cork, when a rather drunken young fella tried to pick up my new bride.

That's the Irish spirit for ya...wine, women and song.

Well this hasnt been really too helpful, (excluding Val, thanks).

Your timing was probably a bit off, etruscia.
It's Thanksgiving weekend for most of the posters who'd normally chime in on something like this.

Re: Debating Techniques, styles and such.



Irish Legal Technique

1. Discover your opponents weakness
2. Exploit this weakness
3. Undermine your opponents credibility
4. Promote your strengths
5. Conclude with factual, forensic data

Regards, Bib. :wink:

Re: Debating Techniques, styles and such.


My, it's CSIreland. :wink:

Thanks CF from CSI Bib. :wink:

I debated in high school (back when the Earth's crust was still cooling) so its possible things may have changed, but here are some points I remember:

1. Know the evidence, backwards and frontwards. I once won a debate (or at least scored a few points) by pointing out that an expert statement quoted by the opponent had been heavily edited, and the unedited quote -happily provided by me- actually supported the opposite point of view.

2. If something doesn't make sense, say so. I won a regional debate debating negative I thought I had lost, because my first rebuttal speech was over in 2 minutes, a definite debate no no. I didn't understand what they were talking about, and said so. Apparently, neither did the judge.

3. Be prepared for trick cases, but not too prepared. We lost the conference finals against a team that had leaked the details of a trick case they were going to use, and for which we prepared thouroughly. They then presented the same case they had been using all year, and we were off our game just enough to lose.

4. If you debate affirmative, go for the trick case if you have one. My best year was spent arguing a trick case that noboby in conference or regionals defeated. Might have won at state too, but bad weather and a rancorous relationship with that year's so-called "coach" kept us from going.

5. Debate affirmative. It's a lot less work.

:wink: The Leprechaun Technique: :wink:

1. Lie to them
2. Swear at them
3. Kick them
4. Run from them

The Banshee technique:

Just keep wailing until your opponent gets the fear that a dear relative is dead.

Here you demonstrate a good technique. Strategic understatement.