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Step 1
Understand what affirmative action is really about. Learn the history of the debate so you have a firm background no matter which stance you take. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) offers a comprehensive overview (see link in Resources).
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Step 2
Begin your assessment of the cons of affirmative action by talking about the history of discrimination. Talk about slavery, women's lack of rights and other wrongs minorities suffered in America. Point out that affirmative action can't change history and may be doing more harm than good.
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Step 3
Note that it's too easy for an institution to end up accepting unqualified people based on gender, race or ethnicity. Emphasize that America is built on leaders with exceptional abilities and this undermines the country's future.
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Step 4
End your argument against affirmative action by pointing out that it's prejudice of a different kind. Emphasize it degrades the very people it seeks to help by instilling in their and everyone else's mind they can't succeed without "help."
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Step 5
Begin your discussion of why affirmative action is necessary by telling your audience how it's changed the country for the better. Find statistics that show the growth of class status among minorities due to better education and jobs.
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Step 6
Make your opponent understand that the argument about unqualified candidates is groundless. Federal affirmative action guidelines don't permit favoring unqualified over qualified candidates. Remind your audience that it's not in an institution's interest to choose unqualified candidates anyway.
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Step 7
Finish the debate by pointing out that as long as prejudice still exists in the United States, affirmative action is necessary. Give a recent example from the news where a company or university discriminated against an individual from a minority group.
