INSIDE A DEBATE ROUND: A WAY TO EXPRESS

20 Aug 2025

It is normal to have different opinions? everyone has their own different point of view, and there are no rights and wrongs in one’s beliefs. It is just about which one could be defined and tested, supported, and acknowledged by society. That is why we have Debate, a way to express and articulate our own beliefs and challenge other people’s beliefs. This article will show everyone facts or terms in debate, the structure of debate, judging criteria, and some tips for debate.

Facts or terms in Debate that you should know: 

  • Motion/resolution: Topic of the Debate. It could be in the form of a statement, some sort of policy, or an idea. Depending on the debate style and purpose.
  • Chairman/Chairperson: One who directs and controls the debate while also keeping the debate on time.
  • Adjudicator: One who judges the quality of the arguments and performance of the debaters.
  • Constructive: Prepared speech to start building your base and claims.
  • Flow: Notes debaters use to record their arguments or facts.
  • Link: Connections that show your claim support the resolution.
  • Rebuttal: Speech that opposes the opposing side said in their Constructive.

Structure in Debate:

  1. A Debate will consist of 2 teams:
  • Affirmative (Support the motion)
  • Negative (Oppose the motion)
  1. A Team will consist of 3-4 Speakers. If there are 3 speakers, a speaker will speak twice.
  2. Each Speaker will have 8 minutes to deliver the Constructive and 4 minutes to deliver the Rebuttal.
  3. The format will begin with the:

Judging In Debate:

There will be 3 Categories to be judged in the Debate:

  1. Content: The Arguments, Evidence, Facts, Impacts, and Link that support the motion.
  2. Presentation Style: The Delivery of the points, including oral and body language, eye contact, and voice tone.
  3. Clarity: The structure of the delivery, how you organize the constructive layout.

Tips in Debate:

  1. Prepare. Research the motion beforehand to have the resources to rebut, evidence to back up your arguments, and avoid getting trapped.
  2. Avoid getting off track. One of the common mistakes is getting trapped in a loophole and wasting time, keeping track of your main points, and growing from there.
  3. Use Examples. Having examples makes your constructive criticism convincing and has more clarity.
  4. Think from your opponent’s view. Know your opponents and yourself, and you will win a thousand wars. By revising the ideas, think of a counter to the rebuttal in case they make the points.
  5. A Strong Closing Speech. The most important points in a speech are the opening and closing. A Strong opening makes the audience interested. A Strong Closing Speech makes a long-lasting impression.
  6. Listen and Take Notes. Listen and take notes on the opponent constructively and use them in your arguments.
  7. Confidence. Express your motion perfectly and confidently using proper body language and clear intonation without rushing. To show that you are correct.

Now that you know some facts and information about the debate. What are you waiting for? Let us start debating. Here are some of the World’s Biggest Debate tournaments that you could compete in >> bit.ly/DebateTournamentsYouShouldKnow

References

Alexander Richardson