Radical Inventions Debates (student-generated topics)

​ Click here for Radical Inventions Debate Planning Doc

How to Successfully Win a Debate
By CHRISTINE (one of Ms. K’s former student)

1. Make eye contact with opponent and judges.
2. Block almost everything they say to prove wrong.
3. Speak loudly and slowly.
4. Use hand gestures.
5. Speak politely and calmly.
6. Research topics that they would never think of.
7. Take notes while the opponents are talking.
8. Research the other side as well so you have a rebuttal.
9. If you’re last, you have the chance to block the arguments that the other team’s last person said before you and they can’t interfere.
10. Make sure you tell the judges where you got your information. 
11. Always question what the opponent’s team says. It will make them feel like they are wrong.
12. Don’t move around too much and use the words ‘um’ and ‘like’ excessively.
13. Make sure that your information is reliable. Cite your sources.
14. Think as if you were a judge and what the judge would think of as a ‘winning statement’.
15. Always think comparatively.
16. Act like you’re winning, even if you think your not.
17. Remember that debating is a team activity.
18.Refer to your evidence whenever it’s possible.
19. Be focused and have fun.