how to present a debate speech

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Education and Communications
Communication Skills
Public Speaking

How to Perform Well in a Debate

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

Expert Q&A

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,048,778 times.

People may come up with the most stunning content for their argument, but the fact is that in most cases, nearly one-third of the marking criteria goes to your delivery of the material. While speaking passionately about poorly researched work probably won't win you a debate, marrying factual evidence with emotional conviction will. No matter how analytical and academic a debate is, your presentation will have a definite effect on your adjudicator, as well as your audience. In a tight match, your win may rest on the drama of your performance.

Step 1 Discover how to persuade through Invention.

You'll need to have an understanding of your audience's desires and needs, as well as how to best appeal to them.
When appealing to your audience, think about a balance of logos, ethos, and pathos. [2] X Research source These three modes of persuasion will be used to convince your audience to believe in your argument. Each will provoke a different reaction from a crowd, and you must change your approach to adapt to the needs of your audience.
A more logical approach, resting mainly on logos, might be appropriate when your audience wants factual evidence of how you'll improve their dire circumstances.
When trying to keep an even tone and seem unbiased, employ more ethos in your speech. This is good for a more formal audience, but one that you still need to empathize with you, or the situation that you're being faced with.
Pathos has the potential to become manipulative in the wrong occasion, but when done right, you can inspire particular strong emotions within your audience. These emotions have the power to drastically change the course of your speech.
Mastering the art of rhetoric will ensure that your prepared speech is as strong as possible. This will booster your ability to perform this argument.

Step 2 Assemble your argument with Arrangement.

Introduction. Express your message and why it's important to your audience, as well as yourself.
Statement of fact. Break down the general thesis of your argument into smaller parts. This is where you name reasons why the current issue exists.
Confirmation, or proof. Craft your main argument here, as well as reasons why your argument is a successful one.
Refutation. Acknowledge your opposition, giving some credence to their argument, before challenging their point-of-view.
Conclusion. Wrap up your main points of your argument and give instructions on what you want your audience to do or think.

Step 3 Express your argument as you improve your Style.

You should also adjust your style to fit your audience. Make sure you express your ideas in a way that aligns with the moral and intellectual level of your audience.
You can make active use of various linguistic tropes when arranging your arguments. Also known as "figures of speech," these tropes are tried and true methods in composing a sleek and compelling argument.
Antithesis will help you contrast ideas and phrases, as will skillful juxtaposition. Metaphor and simile are both nice ways to equate one idea to another. Any of these tropes will add spice to your writing.

Step 4 Speak without paper by committing your speech to Memory.

It's worth noting that certain aspects of your debate will have to be performed on the fly. By memorizing the facts of your topic, however, you'll be able to recount these facts organically. This will help you grow more confident in improvising your speech.

Step 5 Amplify your performance techniques, highlighting your Delivery.

Delivery will also vary to fit your audience. When speaking to a smaller audience, you can make more eye contact, speak more directly to those listening to you. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," for example, were radio broadcasts intended to feel intimate for everyone listening in. His larger speeches, in contrast, felt more immediate and righteous, fitting the more massive scope of their subject matter.

The "uh" sound usually takes less time to overcome in speech. It suggests that you've just finished one point, and you're taking a moment to move onto the next.
Your "um" sounds can be far more dangerous, as they suggest that you may be searching for completely unfamiliar information. You'll want to eliminate both from your speech patterns in formal debate, however, as both suggest a stalling in your thought process.
Try replacing your filler sounds with silence. This will give your audience time to stew on your last point, and it will also give you time to generate your stimulus for your next idea.
Remember that everyone needs time to process before moving to their next sentence. You aren't eliminating this thought process. You are, however, making it appear that you are thinking less than you actually are.

Step 2 Find synonyms for overused language.

When your work is highly researched, it runs the risk of becoming pedantic. If you're simply regurgitating facts from academia, your rhetoric can quickly become dull and overly intellectual. Look out for words such as "capitalist" or "dichotomy." These sorts of words, while thick with various meanings, have been dulled by overuse in the past few years.

It's much easier to enunciate if you slow down the pace of your speech. You may be able to get through a larger quantity of points, but it's unlikely that all of them will be heard.
Try the "pencil-in-mouth" drill if you want to improve your articulation. Stick a pencil in your mouth, parallel to your forehead, and practice your speech while holding it in place. You'll have to verbalize around this obstacle in your mouth, working harder to enunciate your syllables.
When you remove the pencil, you'll find that your speech is far clearer. Keep that same level of enunciation when you're performing. When you blend enunciation with a slower manner of speech, it'll be easier for others to dissect your points.

Boil your arguments into more specific points, mentally, before launching in. You won't win this portion of your debate by scattering new ideas into the air at the last moment.
Sum up your argument into one or two sentences. You'll obviously be extrapolating on these points, but it'll help you to have a logical home base to return to.
Focus on what you know you've done successfully. Don't be hard on yourself for taking the "path of least resistance" when going for the win.

You generally have a large stage to inhabit while debating. Occupy this space fully. You don't want to be pacing nervously, but you do want to ensure that you look comfortable speaking in front of others.
Don't rely on gesture as a nervous tick. If you're releasing anxiety through gesture, then your gestures will not be strong. Instead, they'll add unnecessary motion, distracting from your speech.

After you make eye contact with one person in the audience, deliver your next line or phrase to the next person. This way, you'll connect with a larger number of people in a one-on-one way.
You can also use eye contact to silence a distracting presence in your audience. If someone isn't paying attention to you, then a prolonged stare will make them feel uncomfortable. The hope, then, is that they'll quiet down, or at least attempt to be less distracting.

If you're speaking about grisly, violent details, you'll want to adapt a tone of disgust. When slipping in a mild joke or self-aware remark, a humorous or light-hearted tone can be very effective.
Above all, your tone should always have some level of urgency. This proves that you aren't avoiding the importance of the topic at hand. Diversifying your tone is very important, but you never want to forget the core of your speech.

When done poorly, these major pauses can really tank an argument. Make sure that you've built up to this pause with a great deal of momentum. That way, your silence will be earned.
Pauses can range in their use, from dividing major points in a paragraph to allowing you to get a drink of water. Make sure that you're losing your pauses appropriately, as you don't want to break your focus with too much regularity.

Often referred to as a "final blast," your closing remark takes familiar points from your speech and amplifies them with a final appeal to your audience.
You can achieve this with a heightened tone of voice, or you can allow your speech to move a bit quicker than it normally would. Poking small holes in your composure will amplify your power as an orator, and this last effort may be crucial in solidifying a win.

Reader Videos

Don't be afraid if you just said something wrong. Clarify it while keeping calm. Being confident at all turns is key. Confidence can lead you anywhere. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
Just remember that the content and accuracy of your argument will still be what the adjudicator will be marking primarily upon. You want to perform well and naturally, but you don't want to invent. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
Make your arguments more convincing with eye contact, strong body posture, pauses, a sense of certainty in your speech, clearness, and conciseness. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

Tips from our Readers

If you forget your point, simply make something relevant up on the fly to cover the hesitation. Hesitating can give the other side an edge.
Use examples, illustrations, and gestures to explain your arguments vividly. It engages the audience more than plain speech.
Don't be nervous — take deep breaths and picture something calming like puppies cuddling. Stay confident.
Speak naturally and avoid artificial-sounding tone changes. Sincerity makes you more persuasive.
Keep calm eye contact with the judges and audience. It shows you're focused and self-assured.
Stick to the issue at hand. Don't drift or you'll weaken your argument. Stay concise.

↑ https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/215588515.pdf
↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dreaming-freud/201705/six-ways-appeal-audience
↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
↑ https://hbr.org/2018/08/how-to-stop-saying-um-ah-and-you-know
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/word-choice/
↑ https://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/cxCheshier0402.pdf
↑ https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/review-of-grit-the-power-of-passion-and-perseverance/

About This Article

To perform well in a debate, speak slowly and enunciate your words so your audience has more time to process all of the points you're making. You should also try to vary the tone of your voice while you’re speaking, which will make your speech more interesting and engaging. For example, if you're talking about a shocking statistic, use a tone of surprise to help get your point across. Additionally, maintain good eye contact with your audience and your adjudicator throughout the debate so they feel like you're speaking directly to them. When you're ready to end your debate, heighten your tone of voice and speak a little bit faster for your closing arguments to show that you're passionate about the topic. For more tips, like how to come up with a persuasive argument, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Debate Writing

Debate Speech

Debate Speech - Ultimate Writing Guide For Students

What Is A Debate Speech?

A debate speech is a formal presentation where you argue for or against a specific topic.

It involves structured arguments presented in different sections, aiming to persuade the audience with facts and convincing points. It's a way of discussing and trying to show why your side is the right one on a particular subject.

Key Elements of A Debate Speech

A debate typically includes several essential elements to communicate your position and persuade the audience effectively. These elements form the building blocks of a strong debate speech:

Opening Statements: These kick off the debate, presenting the main arguments for your side or against the motion. It sets the tone for the discussion.
Rebuttals: In this stage, you respond to the opposing side's arguments, highlighting weaknesses or presenting counterpoints.
Summary: Towards the end of the debate, a summary is provided to reinforce your main arguments and explain why your perspective is stronger. This section aims to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Use of Evidence: Supporting your arguments with evidence, facts, and examples strengthens your position and makes your speech more convincing.
Logical Reasoning: Presenting arguments in a clear, logical sequence enhances the coherence and persuasiveness of your speech.
Rhetorical Appeal: Adding appeals like ethos, pathos and logos to your speech can engage the audience, making your points more relatable and impactful.

How To Prepare For Debate Speech?

Creating a compelling debate speech requires a methodical approach that ensures a clear, convincing, and organized presentation. Let's dig deep into the detailed steps for an effective preparation:

Choosing a Position

Start by selecting a clear stance or position regarding the debate topic. Decide whether you are arguing for or against the motion. Understanding and committing to your position forms the foundation of your speech.

Conducting Thorough Research

Gathering information for your debate speech is really important. Look at different sources like books, reliable websites, and experts' ideas.

Find facts, numbers, and real stories that support what you want to say. It's key to use strong and trusted information that backs up your side of the argument.

When you collect different types of information, it makes your speech stronger and more convincing. This way, you'll be well-prepared to explain your ideas during the debate.

Structure The Key Points

After researching and collecting points, organize your main arguments in a clear and logical manner to effectively convey your position in the debate. Set a sufficient time for each key point to ensure they're adequately developed and presented.

You can do this by following a debate format. Here is a standard debate speech format for a 15-20 minute debate:

How to Start a Debate Speech

Crafting a convincing opening for your speech involves capturing the audience's attention while introducing key points of discussion.

You can achieve this by using attention-grabbing techniques such as sharing an eye-opening fact, a powerful quote, or a personal anecdote related to the topic.

Additionally, it's beneficial to briefly outline the key areas of discussion that you'll cover in your speech. By providing a sneak peek of the main points, you offer the listeners a roadmap of what's to come.

This not only piques the audience's interest but also helps them anticipate and follow the structure of your speech.

Structure Your Arguments

Structuring arguments in the debate speech means organizing your ideas in a way that makes sense to others.

A well-structured argument often uses the P-E-E format, which stands for Point, Evidence, and Explanation:

Point or Reason: Begin by stating your main argument or reason. This is the central idea you want to convey in support of your position.
Evidence: Provide evidence, facts, or examples that support your point. This evidence should be reliable and back up what you're saying.
Explanation: Explain how your evidence supports your point. Make it clear to your audience why this evidence is important and how it links to your argument.

This structure helps make your arguments more persuasive and clear. It enables you to present your points effectively, support them with evidence, and explain why that evidence matters in the context of your argument.

Address Counterarguments (Rebuttals)

Addressing counterarguments involves anticipating opposing viewpoints and crafting responses, known as rebuttals , within your speech. A rebuttal is a persuasive counter-argument that challenges or opposes the points raised by the other side.

By thinking ahead and having strong responses, you showcase a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

This approach makes your argument stronger and shows your skill in defending your position, uplifting your speech's credibility.

How to End a Debate Speech

Concluding your debate speech effectively is as important as starting it strong. Here are two impactful ways to conclude your speech:

Summarize Key Points with a Call to Action (CTA) Example: "In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that [your stance on the topic]. As we leave here today, let's not merely acknowledge the importance of [debate topic] but commit to [call to action], ensuring a brighter future for all."
End with a Powerful Quote or Statement Example: "As [relevant figure] once wisely said, '[insert impactful quote].' Let these words guide us in our understanding of [debate topic]. Together, we can [highlight the desired outcome or change]."

Review And Practice

The last step is to review and practice a lot. Read through your speech to make sure it all makes sense and fits the time limit.

Practice how you talk, how fast or slow, and how you use your body while speaking. Also, be ready to answer questions or handle different arguments.

Do a few final practice rounds to feel more confident and comfortable. This way, you'll be well-prepared and ready to deliver a strong debate speech.

Debate Speech Examples for Students

For students, understanding how to structure and present a debate speech is crucial. Here are some debate speech samples to help you grasp the basics of debating:

First Speaker Debate Speech Example

2nd Speaker Debate Speech Example

3rd Speaker Debate Speech Example

Prime Minister Debate Speech Example

Short Example Of Debate Speech

Debate Speech On Social Media

Debate Speech Class 11

Debate Speech Structure

Examples can serve as a great starting point. Check out more expertly crafted debate examples for inspiration!

Tips for an Effective Debate Speech

Writing a persuasive and impactful debate speech requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here are key tips to enhance the effectiveness of your presentation:

Tailor language to match the audience's demographics and interests.
Strengthen arguments with credible sources and diverse perspectives.
Organize with a clear introduction, well-developed body, and strong conclusion for a logical flow.
Capture attention with an influential quote, question, or anecdote.
Support arguments with relevant statistics, examples, and real-world scenarios.
Anticipate opposing viewpoints and incorporate strong rebuttals.
Clearly articulate and repeat key ideas to reinforce your stance.
Maintain a dynamic and engaging delivery by varying tone and pace.
Pay attention to body language, eye contact, and gestures.
Allocate time wisely for each speech segment to secure a well-paced presentation.
Be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes during the debate.
Practice multiple times to build up clarity, emphasis, and pacing, boosting confidence.

Need to polish your debate? Have a look at this in-depth blog on debate techniques and get effective tips!

Debate Speech Topics

Here are some unique topic ideas for you to write a debate on.

Credit cards are more harmful than debit cards.
We are becoming too dependent on technology.
Marriage is an outdated concept.
Homework is necessary with regard to the learning process.
Being a college graduate in the United States is necessary for a successful career.
It is a good idea to have laptops in classrooms.
Facebook is a better social platform than Twitter.
Cell phones can be used as educational tools.
Junk food must be banned in high schools and colleges.
The Prime Minister of any state enjoys more power than the president.

Can’t pick a topic? Check out this extensive blog with multiple debate topics and get unique ideas!

You are now better equipped to confidently prepare and deliver your upcoming debate speech.

However, if public speaking isn’t your strong suit or it feels overburdening, our professional custom essay writing service is here to help.

Simply reach out to our expert writers with a request to ' write my speech ' and receive a persuasive and effective piece of writing. Plus, with our satisfaction guarantee, you can get your speech revised as many times as you want.

So, order now from our speech writing service , and let us help you deliver a winning speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a debate speech.

To write a debate speech:

Start by clearly defining your stance on the topic.
Structure your speech with an introduction that grabs attention.
Put forward your arguments supported by evidence.
Address counterarguments to strengthen your position.
Use a strong, persuasive tone and maintain logical flow throughout.
Conclude with a compelling summary of your key points, reinforcing why your side of the debate is correct.
Keep the speech within the time limit and practice for effective delivery.

What is an example of a debate statement?

An example of a debate statement is:

"Social media platforms do more harm than good to mental health."

This statement clearly presents a position on an issue that can be supported with arguments and evidence, while also allowing room for the opposing side to present counterarguments.

What is the standard debate speech template?

A standard debate speech template includes:

Introduction: Greet the audience and judges, state the topic, and present your stance.
Arguments: Outline 2-3 key points, each backed with evidence, statistics, or examples.
Counterarguments: Address opposing views and refute them with logic and facts.
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your stance confidently.

This format ensures clarity, structure, and persuasion throughout the speech.

How to improve confidence while delivering a debate speech?

To be confident in a debate speech:

Practice thoroughly to know your arguments well.
Maintain good posture, make eye contact with the audience, and speak clearly at a steady pace.
Use gestures to emphasize points, avoid filler words, and stay composed even when addressing counterarguments.

Remember, confidence comes from preparation and calm, focused delivery.

What’s the best way to memorize a debate speech?

To memorize a debate speech:

Break it into key sections or ideas.
Practice by rehearsing each section aloud multiple times.
Use mnemonic devices, visual cues, or flashcards to recall key points.
Regularly recite the speech in front of others or a mirror to simulate real conditions.
Finally, focus on understanding your arguments deeply, which helps in recalling them naturally without relying on word-for-word memorization.

Is it important to maintain a positive tone during a debate?

Yes, talking positively in a debate helps you stay persuasive and professional. A respectful and constructive tone makes your arguments more convincing and helps engage the audience. Avoid negativity or personal attacks, as they can weaken your credibility. Focus on presenting your ideas clearly and confidently while maintaining a respectful attitude toward your opponents.

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