How-to debate

[Superevie]

I just kinda say what I want and hope it turns out right. As y'all may have noticed, I'm not a master debater. If people misconstrue what I say so much that every word I say puts me into a deeper pit of misunderstanding, I leave the thread.

 

[Ayatollah So]

Originally posted by Perfection
Listen listen listen, the more you pay attention to the other person, the more effectively you can debate. Many times when people debate the think about what they are going to say instead of what the other person is saying. You must know exactly what their points are if you are going to crush their arguement.

In a one-on-one or few-person debate, that's vital. Where there are many people in your audience, it's good to get a few people to review your first draft and give you feedback. Try to understand the evidence and/or the emotional motives that drive people to the alternatives contrary to your view.

Jormurgandr has a great point about the logical fallacies. Human psychology makes certain logical mistakes more common than others; the most common ones tend receive names from logicians. From the linked website I recommend starting with Equivocation, False Dilemma, Unrepresentative Sample, most of the Causal Fallacies, Straw Man, and Irrelevant Conclusion. Those are all extremely common and relatively easy to miss even if you're paying attention.

 

[SoCalian]

As far as debate topics here are the two most recent topics for NFL Linclon-Douglas (one on one, philosophical) debate:

Resolved: In the U.S. judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over priviledged communication.

Resolved: The United States has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts.

 

[stratego]

I just kinda say what I want and hope it turns out right. As y'all may have noticed, I'm not a master debater.

I know how you feel, I'm not much of a cunning linguist myself

but here are my insights on debating.
1)
2) Know what your opponent's argument is and counter it before he gets to speak. In your original speech you may want to say something like "some people may claim.. (state your opponents position), but the truth is.. (state your counter).
3) Don't let your opponent do the same to you, so don't let them know your original argument if you don't get to go first..

 

[FredLC]

Well, I am a lover of debates, and I honestly think I am good at it - a little better than average perhaps - as I usually get the upper hand.

Anyway, there are some things I think are necessary for a person to do well on a debate:

1 - Know the subject. Debate only things you can understand. If it's a subject you are not entirely familiar with, just watch and learn. Defending things which are clearly wrong just makes one looks like an ass, so make sure you won't do it.

2 - Avoid contradictions. And by this, I mean that you should really think over your points, make sure that no part of it is incompatible with another. This is easier said than done, but absolutely vital in making a strong point.

3 - Stablish your goal. I mean, decide exactly what you want to prove. If you write/talk without a focus, it's unlikely that you will make strong/convincing points.

4 - Keep your focus. See, debating polemic themes is a huge trap. Too many incidental matters to look into, and it's easy to get carried away by some. Also, it's a common strawman tactic to try luring a debater with a strong point in another area where his arguments are more easily refuted. Don't fall for either of that, and you will do better. Of course, that does not mean that other relevant issues that actually show up can't be looked upon, but it's important to keep the whole structure of your argument pointed at the most promissing direction.

5 - Respect the other debater. This goes for two things. First, respect him as a person, I mean, no offenses (resorting to them just gives the impression that you can't refute the argument), pay attention to what he is saying untill you truly know what he is saying (even if some times an argument looks so silly at first that you are tempted to dismiss it), try to think the way he thinks. The second thing is... never, ever, underestimate him. Many arguments are deliberately build with fake weak points, just to try bringing you into a trap. Never assume that you have cracked your opponent's head until you have examined all the angles. Being humble, here is quite a merit.

6 - Shoot to kill. When you catch a weak point in a fundamental aspect of your opponent's idea, expose it in the most painful way possible. I mean, don't just say it, but try making him confirm each and every of the wrong premisses/false ideas/contradictions publically, than clearly explain the wrongness of the argument, preferably quoting the own words of the other debater, so he can't claim that you are "putting words on his mouth".

7 - Be cool. The most important trait of a good debater, by far, is the ability to keep a cool head. Don't ever let your emotions take the best of you. Scrutinize everything logically, in a methodical causes/consequences sequence, and you will always be able to point the key elements of all given issues, and exactly how it is being distorted by the arguments you are refuting.

Well, I guess this would be my basic "how to debate" manual. Hope it helps.

Regards .