Tips to win Debate Competitions at

School
Debate competition makes students anxious because even if they are confident
about their performance, there can be some things which may lower down their
confidence and can affect their performance at debate session. So, here we
discuss 10 effective tips for students to help them win any debate competition.

1. Be confident and well Prepared– Student should prepare well for

‘Debate Topic’ they have been assigned. Do research on the topic, write
notes for important points, dress for the occasion (if competition is organised
outside the school), memorise important topics, do counter preparation, and
don’t take the stress. If you feel nervousness, then take a mock debate with
your friends so that you can overcome the anxiety.

2. Introduction – Introducing you to the audience is the first step

when starting a debate. Therefore, the introduction should be made in a clear
and firm voice so that audience can hear you and can know about the topic of
debate. If you are the first one to start the debate, then take this opportunity
to the best and leave your best impression on the audience with a striking
introduction.

3. Know your audience – You should know that the audience includes a

panel of judges, school students, and participating students as well as other
teachers. Therefore, you need to maintain your posture, gestures and
interaction with your audience.

4. Respect and Self Control– While you are doing a debate, you will be
required to discuss in favour or against the topic, so you need to maintain
that you are part of a formal discussion. You must not take anything
personally. Just be calm and put forth your points about the debate. Don’t
shout or become aggressive when your opponent tries to contradict with your
view about the topic. If you do not maintain your calm and firmness in front of
an audience then you may lose scores from the judges.

5. Interactive Conversation – To be able to gain audiences’ perspective you

need to make an interactive debate session which you can do with light
conversations like including humour in presenting the facts and
data and engaging the audience. If the debate becomes boring then
audience lose the track of your points and they cannot decide the winner.

6. Don’t try to win – Debate is a formal discussion; the winner of the

debate is decided by how they carry out the session. So, if you aim to win a
debate by including illogical details for your support then you would not be able
to win the debate competition. Frame your views about the debate
topic such that even if you are part of ‘Against ‘group to the topic, your views
are in positive light to the audience.
7. Facts and Theory – Use facts and figures during your debate session, as this
can help you seek the attention of the judges as well as the audience. Also,
the data should be authentic so that your opponent can not raise
doubts about it. Using theories and numbers can help your win brownie points.

8. Praise your opponents – You need to pay attention to your opponent’s

view and theories during the debate. Moreover, whenever they make a good
and valid point during the debate then, you should be affirmative about it and
should agree with them. Agreeing to their valid points can be affirmative of
your view too and judges will appreciate that you have knowledge of the
topic.

9. Admitting not knowing – If you come to a point that you are not

aware of then you should admit it in a proper way rather than arguing about
it. If your opponent has given any information that you have little
knowledge about then you admit it that you know little about it in this regard
and you need to research more on it and then you can proceed.

10. Concluding the debate – A debate session is incomplete

without conclusion. So take this opportunity for a better explanation of your
side and views for the topic and always leave something for the audience
and judges to discuss.  When you leave something for the audience to
think about then, your views about the topic leaves an impact which can help
you gain points.