How to Watch an Election Debate

Political debates are a great way for candidates to establish their views before an election. These debates are also good for the public to see how candidates react to and differ from each other. When you watch an election debate, you can follow a few simple steps to learn from it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Watch an Election Debate

1. Read or watch the previews to the election debate. Generally, newspaper will run an article with some of the candidates' views the day before a debate. Television networks also often have a preview in the half hour or hour before a large televised debate.
2. Listen to how each candidate responds to the debate questions. Sometimes, candidates don't even answer the question; they simply use the time to talk about their own views on a related subject. Notice if a candidate avoids certain issues within a question.
3. See if there's a format to the candidates' answers. Politicians often follow this format when speaking to the public: tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them and tell them what you told them. This format basically repeats the same information three times to ensure that the public understands the message.
4. Watch for body language. Sometimes a politician will respond with certain movements if he is uncomfortable with a question. In particular, watch for how his eyes focus on the camera and how he moves his jaw when not speaking.
5. Follow a political blog during the commercials. Most major news outlets have political blogs on their websites that offer play-by-play analysis of the debate. Check several blogs during the breaks to see how reporters are reacting to the candidates.
6. Listen for bias in the debate. Sometimes hosts have a political bias that is reflected in the questions they ask each candidate. Notice if one candidate seems to get harder questions than the others.
7. Talk to your friends, family members and co-workers the next day to see what other people thought of the debate. Some people may have noticed things that you missed or have a different opinion on how well the candidates did. More information helps you develop your own political views.

Tips & Warnings

• If the debates are conducted several nights in a row, watch for how the candidates work on their weaknesses in the coming debates.
• Depending on which network you watch the debate on, you may be able to notice bias towards certain candidates from the commentators.
• Some candidates focus on the camera, while others try to address the audience at the election debate.