Constructing a speech
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The First Impression
- 3. Finishing Strong
- 4. Ease of tracking
- 5. Word Choice
There is more to a debate
Constructing a speech
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The First Impression
- 3. Finishing Strong
- 4. Ease of tracking
- 5. Word Choice
There is more to a debate speech than the mere delivery of arguments and rebuttals. No doubt these two elements form the backbone of a debate speech. However, the following elements are crucial in making a speech interesting, memorable and easy to follow for the judges. When the judges have an easy time following a Debater’s speech, they will always be more inclined to give more points in return.
2. The First Impression
It is critial that Debaters make a good first impression on the judges within a debate. Making a good impression straight away leads the judges to believe that the debater is capable of making a good speech to follow and induces them to give higher scores if the debater is able to fulfill this potential. Many debaters, however, will merely launch into the speeches’ contents, which makes the remarks appear more utilitarian. A good introduction is thus essential in raising the expectations of the judges.
A good introduction also serves to differentiate the speaker from the other debaters in the round and get more attention from the judges. Debaters can consider using the following elements to create effective introductions to their speeches. Debaters should allocated about 20-45 seconds for the introductions but this will depend on the time available for the speech and the amount of substantive matter which needs to be covered.
This technique is commonly used by the First speakers of both teams. The speakers open their speeches by contextualizing the motion in real world events. This shows the judges that the speakers understand the relevance of the motion and why the motion is being debated. The contextualisation also provides the speakers with an opportunity to make their stance as sympathetic as possible.
In a debate about the use of nuclear technology, the First Proposition Speaker can open by citing the depletion of natural resources as well as the need to find sustainable and cheap energy sources in the developing world. The speaker may also highlight the increasing concerns over carbon emissions and global warming, factors which will support Proposition’s arguments in favour of nuclear technology. The First Opposition Speaker, in contrast, will contextualize the debate by referring to nuclear accidents, such as those in Japan, as well as the threat of nuclear weapon programmes in North Korea and Iran.
The overview is a technique more commonly used from the Second Speaker onwards, although the First Opposition Speaker may also use it. Here, the Debater makes a critique of the approach being taken by the opposing team. This is an attack on the opposing team which goes beyond a mere rebuttal of a point. Here, the debater makes the assessment of how the debate is proceeding and why the opponent’s general approach is flawed. This assessment will also serve as a pre-cursor to the evaluative component of the Summary Speeches and signals to the judges that the Debater has the ability to look at the debate critically.
For instance, in a Debate about globalisation, the Second Proposition Speaker can note that the Opposition has focused mainly on social and political issues and criticise this approach during the overview as globalisation is primarily an economic phenomenon. The Second Opposition Speaker, in response, can note during the overview that the Proposition had primarily used examples from developed countries and has ignored the impact on least developing countries in order to put globalisation in a good light.
2.3. Prominent Example
Another interesting way to open the speech is to use a poignant example in support of the team’s stance. This has the effect of quickly grounding the debate in reality and putting a clear metal image of the debate in the minds of the judges. This technique differs from contextualization as the Debater is only using a single example for its impact rather than the explanation of the broad circumstance. Thus, going back to the motion on nuclear technology, the speaker can open with a detailed example on the r