Our competition judges spill the beans on winning strategies for the ESU Schools’ Mace debating competition
Set the tone
The first speaker for the proposition must ensure the motion is well defined from the outset. Lay out the key points in your introduction so that the judges and audience can follow your debate as it develops. Defining key terms can also be a strategic decision to assist with planning your arguments.
Engagement with the other team is also critical, be conscious of taking a Point of Information (POI), and if none is offered don’t hesitate to request one.
Using notecards
One of the simplest things you can do to lift your performance is to swap full written notes for cue cards. Reading from a script keeps your eyes down and your attention away from the people you most need to persuade. Good eye contact lets you connect with the opposing team, the audience and the judges, and cue cards give you the safety net of key prompts while keeping your gaze where it’s most needed.
Delivery is key
Think of it this way: the world’s best pizza is a disappointment if it arrives at your door upside down in the box! The same is true of a brilliant argument poorly delivered. Keep a steady pace, pause deliberately for effect and maintain composure. Your ideas are only as powerful as the manner in which they are conveyed.
Own the room
Your body is speaking whether you intend it to or not. Stand with your shoulders open, take up space and project the confidence you want your audience to feel in your proposals.
Remember to also adjust the volume of your voice depending on the size of the venue. Imagine that you are speaking to the back row of your audience if they can hear you clearly, everyone can.
Signpost your arguments
Don’t make your audience work to follow you. Break your case into two or three clearly titled points and guide listeners through each transition explicitly: ‘I’d now like to move on to my second point, which is…’.
Tell them where you’re going, remind them where you are and recap where you’ve been. A well-signposted argument is a memorable one, and it helps the judges to stay on track.
Debate as a team
In this competition, you need to debate as a unit instead of an individual. An effective way of doing this is to ensure you rotate roles with your teammates when you practice. This makes sure that every member understands the ins and outs of your case, giving you a solid platform to both attack from and defend. Judges will notice this cohesion.
Use statistics wisely
Data and case studies can be enormously persuasive, but only when used properly. Don’t simply quote a statistic and move on. Explain what it means, where you got it from and always link it explicitly back to the point you’re making.
A number without an argument is just a number.
Handle POIs with confidence
After taking a POI, give yourself a moment before you respond. A brief pause to gather your thoughts is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of composure. A measured, well-ordered reply will always land better than an immediate but scattered one.
Quality over quantity
Judges understand that you’ve done significant research and that you’re eager to share all that you have learnt. However, it is important to remember that less is sometimes more. Two to three well-developed, clearly argued points will always outperform 10 rushed ones. Be selective and choose your strongest arguments, taking the time to develop them fully and trust them to do the work.
Listen first, summarise second
Summary speakers, resist the temptation to overly script your speech. The summary should reflect what actually happened in the room; the real clashes, the questions from the floor, the arguments that landed and those that didn’t. You might prepare a strong opening and closing line for structure, but the heart of your summary must be live and responsive to the debate you just witnessed.
This is not easy to do, but practice makes perfect, and it’s an invaluable skill once mastered.
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