Develop debating skills and argue like a prof

Success in any walk of life is hard to achieve in this razor-edged highly competitive age. Besides knowledge, one has to be well versed in the art of forceful communication, an essential pre-requisite of a qualified man, lack of which renders him unfit for high posts in any sector.

Participation in debating activities makes a man forceful communicator. Debating is an art and it can be mastered and developed by constant practice. Fluency in speech enables a man to express views effectively and convincingly. If he enters in the field of business, he can promote the sale to unimaginable heights. If he becomes a pleader, he can argue the cause of his client in a more convincing manner and if he joins politics, he can become a renowned politician.

Before taking part in debating activity, one must do some homework.

Preparation for the Debate

Debatable topics have two sides. A debator has to argue either in favour or against the statement. The speaker must be particular and cautious in the selection of the side. He must judge the pros and cons of the proposition before making up his mind. Once decided, he should try to collect points either in favour or against the statement from various books newspapers, magazines and articles.Thereafter, the debate should be drafted scrupulously and intelligently.The body of the draft should consist of three main parts:-

Opening part

There is always the danger of a speaker straying into irrelevant and superfluous details. In the beginning, it is essential to build a background to the speech because otherwise, the starting may be rather abrupt, short and unimpressive. Just as the face attracts the attention of the onlookers first of all and serves as an index of one’s personality, the introduction to speech gives hint to listeners about the approach that is going to be adopted.

Needless to say that the speaker must make it clear whether he is going to speak in favour or against the motion.

Middle part

The middle body of the speech should contain all the relevant information about the topic under discussion and reasons should be forwarded why the topic has been favoured or opposed. Points should be developed into thoughts, presented step by step and substantiated, citing examples, quotations, facts and figures. It is essential that there should be a logical development of the arguments. In other words, succeeding arguments should flow out of the preceding ones. Each paragraph should be related to the other by logic. Collection of unconnected paragraphs creates confusion and makes the speech difficult to understand. The draft should be made in such a fashion so that all the paragraphs be tied with the theme of subject. A well reasoned draft of the speech is like a clear picture which leaves an impact on the audience. Besides, it proves the analytical ability of the speaker.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the discussion started above should be rounded up in the last paragraph.The speaker should conclude his speech critically and convincingly with authoritative assertion that his angle of thinking and approach is based on reasons and no other logic can refute it. Practice Once draft is prepared, the speaker must practice its delivery in a flawless manner. He should learn it by rote, sentence after sentence and practice it before the full-size mirror in order to view his facial expression and posture.

Expression of anxiety and uneasiness on the face is the reflection of lack of confidence which cuts bad impression on the spectators. A good deal of practice is required so that delivery should be uninterrupted.

Sometimes students are asked to deliver extempore speech. Past experience and practice of delivering speech, can also help in making extempore speech impressively.

Delivery of Speech

A debator has to express his views before a distinguished gathering. The sight of hundreds of audiences sitting in the hall makes him nervous. He starts loosing confidence. Out of nervousness, he often staggers and fumbles for words.

At the time of deliverance he should take care of the following tips-

• He must address the Chief Guest and all who are listening to him and make it clear to the audience, initially or after giving the justification, why he is going to favour or oppose the motion.

• There must not be any sign of embarrassment on his face.

• His face should bear the mark of confidence.

• He must speak fluently and confidently.

• He should speak in simple language, use common usage, phrase and words.

• He must avoid repetition of points and sentence. Repetitions cut bad impression on the listeners and the judge may deduct marks.

• He must not stammer and stagger while delivering the speech.

• He must apply his presence of mind to note down the points of previous speaker in order to refute them on the spot when his turn comes. This technique can make the speech forceful and impressive.

• Whatever you say; must be with a logical flow. State your position, give a reason for your holding so and validate it with an example as far as possible.

• Make only accurate arguments.

• Modulate the volume, pitch and tone of your voice so as to suit the nature of your point.

• Do not make any awkward hand or facial expression.

• Do not be humorous on dais.

• The speaker must say thanks to the distinguished gatherings before dismounting the dais.

Actually, what matters most is not whether one is favoring or opposing the statement, but the style of presentation of speech in logical, argumentative and reasonable manner.Worrying about some grammatical mistakes made while speaking is not important but the way one argues statements is important; which may have the potentiality to make the wrong look right, logical and reasonable.