Debate Communication
Debate is a performance and an art form; treat it as such! Do not monotonously read your speech; rather, engage the judge with varied intonation and body language. Although judges supposedly make their decisions based exclusively on the arguments presented, good communication and speaking style greatly increase the probability of winning.
Verbal Communication
An effective speaker leverages his or her volume, pace, and intonation to both convey expertise and persuade the judge. You should experiment with different speaking styles; we recommend listening to celebrated orators such as Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, and Winston Churchill for inspiration and techniques. Below are some points to keep in mind.
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Volume: On average, speak at a tone slightly louder than conversational. However, make sure that you vary your volume. As you approach important and emotional parts of your speech, try to gradually increase your volume at the climax. However, suddenly dropping your volume can also be an effective tactic.
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Intonation: Use an intonation that reflects the emotions that you want your speech to evoke, and vary your intonation. By conveying emotions corresponding to your speech, you can project them onto the judge to bolster your persuasiveness. Typically, a passionate intonation conveys sincerity and the judge may award it; however, steer clear of an angry or strident tone. Furthermore, due to sexist biases, judges may penalize girls for passion by calling it “anger.”
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Pauses: One of the most compelling rhetorical strategies in debate. . . is to pause. Prior to delivering a crucial statistic or an emotional statement, a pause can ensnare the judge's attention.
Nonverbal Communication
Whether you are speaking or not, the judge is scrutinizing your body language and actions both consciously and subconsciously. As a result, ensure that your body language complements your speeches and conveys professionalism. In particular:
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Use your fingers to number arguments, refutations, and clash points.
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Use hand gestures as you speak.
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Do not sway or fidget.
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Flow and remain engaged in the debate even when you are not speaking.