How to Win a Political Debate
Whether you are running for office or just want to defend your political viewpoint, it's helpful to know how to win a political debate. Politics isn't all kissing babies and willing interns, it's also about using your debating skills to outshine your opponent and win over voters.
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Instructions
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Prepare. The best way to win a political debate is to prepare for it. Practice in front of a mirror to see how you will appear to others. Make sure you are on top of all the issues and know your opponent's position and platform. Watch other political debates to get comfortable with the style and format of a formal debate.
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Stay on point. All the great politicians have a message and stick with it. No matter where the debate wanders, always end your time with a restatement of your message.
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Master the issues. The best political debaters appear knowledgeable on a wide variety of topical issues. Be sure and do your research so you can talk about any topic knowledgeably.
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Acknowledge your opponent's position. A good technique for cutting an opponent at the knees is to disagree with his or her position, but agree that your opponent feels strongly about it. This makes you appear both reasonable and commanding.
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Tips & Warnings
Remain calm. Staying even-tempered and relaxed even when things are getting heated makes you appear confident and trustworthy. Don't let yourself get rattled by a question or by your opponent.
Comments
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ben1881o
Aug 09, 2009
What side were you on? It probably made the difference. -
happysnowshoer2
Sep 19, 2008
Love this article. I participated in a debate about health care reform and won the debate with the help of this article for preparation. Thank you for the "A!"
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happysnowshoer2
Sep 19, 2008
Love this article. I participated in a debate about health care reform and won the debate with the help of this article for preparation. Thank you for the "A!"
