A Date with Debating
WATCHING a live telecast of parliamentary proceedings on television makes you shudder thinking: Is this how the fate of a nation decided? You find Members of Parliament hooting, stamping, shouting, walking out and generally behaving like hooligans. And, they are not warring but debating important issues!
Although debate means a `discussion to convince the other person', in our parliament it often degenerates into name-calling, fighting and abusing, falling just short of physical blows.
Debating is part and parcel of life. As long as there are differing opinions, there will be debates. And since everybody has viewpoints, debating is but a natural consequence of the plethora of opinions. Debate is an indication that crucial aspects like the spirit and freedom of speech and thought are alive.
The important aspect here is the ability to persuade the target audience in a manner that public opinion swings in your favour. The winner is not the one who has a more popular topic, rather one who presents it more convincingly.
In a debate, the fighting spirit invariably does emerge, but effective debaters should know how to handle the onslaught without losing composure, while at the same time sharpen their points to counter-attack very precisely without losing any opportunity. They need to be alert to any weaknesses exhibited by the opposition by looking for chinks in the armour. Remember it's a mind game that is played between the debaters and between the speakers and audience. Whoever can best manipulate the situation win the debate, regardless of being right or wrong!
The key to a successful debate is to be well prepared. Your opponents are waiting to contradict your statements, so don't give them the opportunity by becoming `the bait' in the debate. Here are some useful pointers for becoming a successful debater:
Write down points: The rule of thumb says that if you cannot write your message clearly in a sentence, you cannot speak it fluently in an hour either. Research and prepare your subject well.
Target audience: Always remember who you are addressing and what the people out there are interested in. After all, you are addressing them; so woo the audience and judges, you need to win their support. Show them you're right and the opposition is not. Get their attention by use of startling sentences or interesting anecdotes. Don't use jargon unless it's an audience comprising entirely of a similar background.
Understand your subject: While people will not always follow what you are saying, they will always know when you don't know what you're saying. Even people, who seemed like they were asleep, suddenly become alert when you fumble. "Say not always what you know but always know what you say".
Memorise well: Learn the lines so well that they flow out of you and the speech seems impromptu. The moment you sound like you're hammering out the lines, you will cease to be effective. Do not stumble your way through the speech.
Calm yourself: Take deep breaths and control your nerves. You will be feeling like something very close to a jellyfish but your audience cannot see that because physically you're still intact! Understand that it's only an initial momentary feeling, which will subside once you start. It is actually adrenaline rushing in your body to HELP you cope with the stress of the moment. Once you get started, the initial panic gets replaced by a charged-up feeling which is what you need to motivate yourself and energise the delivery.
Delivery: Remember you are talking to an audience and trying to convince the judges, so you have to interact with them. Use non-verbal communication effectively by making eye contact, using the right pauses, tone of voice and gestures. In a way, you are an actor and the stage is yours for the 4 minutes given to you. Modulate your voice, pace your words, emote, use silence and pauses effectively, keep your gestures consistent with your words and always address the people. Of course, don't get too dramatic, because it's a debate, but all this will make your speech a lot more interesting.
Listen carefully: The art of listening is more important than the art of talking. Keep an open mind because minds, like parachutes, only function when they are open! Make notes of his speech and detect the weak or insufficient points to counter his arguments.
Strong arguments: A debate is a battle of words and ideas, not egos, so you have to be well armed with strong arguments, evidence and convincing facts. Be specific when giving quotes, statistics and other information, because the opponents will demand references and question your data. They are there to prove you wrong, so be prepared to defend your stand when you're under fire.
Conduct: Manners are paramount in debates - people will listen more willingly to a well-mannered person than to an uncouth one.
Bad conduct will only prove you're losing. Never resort to personal insults, snide insinuations, abusing or shouting. The moment you lose your composure, you've lost your advantage - instead lower your voice to strengthen your argument. Strong and bitter words, sarcasm and irony indicate a weak cause. You can use veiled allusions about your opponent's speech but never let it get inappropriate.
Energy: It's a performance you're giving; so be alive, passionate and enthusiastic about your speech. Good energy level reflects confidence; however, too much energy shows nervousness while low energy indicates lack of conviction.
It's said that debate is the death of conversation. People are so involved in winning their point that they forget there is another point of view too, which at least demands a fair hearing. So, let the debate end in the right sporting spirit.
SALMA ALIAKBAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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