5 Tips to Win Any Debate

I found a great article by the Prometheus Institute about how to win a debate. This will help elected officials win arguments against their opponents and win the audience over.

1. Respect your opponent:

You most likely won’t be able to change your opponents mind, but you can change the audiences’ mind. If your opponent makes personal attacks against you-it can be to your advantage. It can show that your opponent can’t attack your point, but has to attack you instead. The audience will see what tactics your opponent uses and judge you on how you respond. By respecting your opponent no matter what they say will win you points.

2. Find common ground, and stake a claim on it:

Try to base your arguments off of shared viewpoints of your opponent. This will persuade more of your audience to your side and make it harder for your opponent to argue against you. Some socialists accuse free market supporters of hating poor people, and affirmative action opponents of hating minorities. Some conservatives accuse decriminalization supporters of being in favor of potheads, and opponents of censorship as being pro-immorality.

To find common ground; free-market proponents should explain how economic growth benefits the poor, affirmative action opponents should explain how discriminatory policy hurts minorities, and decriminalization supporters should explain how they support the rights of productive people, instead of people on drugs.

Image: KTAR.com

3. Concede well-reasoned points:

If you are debating a well-reasoned individual you may need to concede a point and offer a stronger alternative. You need to offer a case to why your position if more relevant and beneficial than your opponents. Concessions don’t hurt you and improve the audiences’ perception of you. If your opponent cites an obscure statistic or random study you don’t have to accuse them of being a liar. If your argument is strong you can say, “Even if that were true, it still doesn’t change the reality that…”

4. Don’t confuse passion with hatred:

You can attack an idea of a person has as being stupid without attacking the person. Strive to remain positive in your speech and steer the conversation toward commonalities and solutions.

5. Sometimes the best debating technique is not to debate at all:

The following places aren’t always the best place to debate about politics. Use your best judgment when to discuss touchy issues.

• Workplace
• Dates
• Weddings, funerals, other public events
• Classroom

Do you need help with debating? Have you had a debate and won? Do you need more debate tips? We will answer your questions!