Aristotle believed that speakers were more persuasive if they combined elements of logos (persuasion by reasoning) with pathos (having an element of emotional appeal) and ethos (an appeal based on the character of the speaker) - for example, that they seem intelligent or of good will.Ancient philosophers studied the art of persuasion, and understanding their techniques will help your debate speech. Try using rhetorical questions, which make your opponents consider the validity of their point irony, which undermines their point and makes you seem more mature and intelligent simile, which gives them something to relate to humor, which gets the audience on your side when done well and repetition, which reinforces your point.Ground examples in how people are affected. Appeal to their sense of fair play, desire to save, to be helpful, to care about community, etc. Appeal to the motives and emotions of the listener with a light touch.Try to use visual images, not just generic terms – show don’t tell, and illustrate a point with details. Focus on the causes of the problem, the effects of the problem, expert opinion, examples, statistics, and present a solution.Back every single one of your key points up with examples, statistics and other pieces of evidence. You want to back up the key arguments you are using to justify your position. Find a relevant specific that illustrates the underlying point.ĭevelop your key points. Be careful using humor it involves risks and can lead to awkward silences if not done right. Introductions can also focus on prominent examples, quotations, or on a personal anecdote that can help establish a rapport with the audience and judges.One technique to write a strong introduction is to contextualize the topic, especially in relation to real world events. This leads judges to assume the debater is persuasive.
This community fosters an open-minded environment that is competitive and educational while creating opportunities for lifelong friendships. This activity has always been special to me because it provides students with a wonderful, safe and inclusive environment where individuals are encouraged to exchange ideas. I see this ongoing legacy as a coach and cannot explain to you how thankful I am for the opportunity to encourage such passionate, intelligent, and driven Simpson scholars. I transitioned to the role of judging these competitions while earning my master’s degree at UCM and the students from Simpson continued to shine.
They were always the brightest, kindest, and most enthusiastic advocates within the community. As a college competitor for Southwest Baptist University, I had the pleasure of engaging with many Simpson students during debate tournaments. "I have been involved in the speech and debate community for around 10 years and am beyond excited to be joining the Simpson program. Marisa Mayo, Assistant Director of Speech & Debate