© by Mike Keenan

You are trying to persuade others! To be successful, you must attend to their feelings as well as their logic. To convince others that you have a solution to a specific problem or a valid point, you first, must get their attention. Then, using appropriate oral and body language, you must maintain their attention and make them want to act upon your instructions. Don’t forget: what you say and how you say it are equally important. In fact, many think the latter is actually far more important! Once you sit down, there will be many other speakers. How will you be remembered?

1. Humour is a dangerous technique in debate, particularly when discussing serious topics.
2. The machine-gun: use rapid-fire examples, piling up the evidence.
3. Begin with a quotation: a short quotation, proverb, saying, poem, etc. will often sum up the situation. If you can find it from someone in your represented country, the more appropriate it will be. If you are clever, you can use this technique repeatedly.
4. Begin with a startling statement. Make it lead directly to the problem. If you do not have a specific situation to refer to, begin with: "imagine that…."
5. Begin with a rhetorical question, something that the audience knows the answer to. Beware of this approach. It can be a weak start.
6. Begin with a specific example of the problem. Zero in on one concrete aspect and then build from there. In small-scale debates, you will have many more opportunities to speak. In large debates, however, you might not enjoy the same luxury.
7. Be aware of any time limits on your speech, and give yourself time for a strong finish before the chair cuts you off.

1. Demonstrate the extent of the problem. Use examples, statistics, and expert opinion.
2. Demonstrate the effects of the problem. How does it affect the people? Use examples and facts.
3. Demonstrate the causes of the problem. This might be difficult.
4. Demonstrate how the problem affects the others. Be vivid.
5. Present your solution or better, a joint solution from several delegates. Be clear about time, costs, people and other resources required. Try to show where similar solutions have worked.
6. Try to use visual images as opposed to dry expressions. Paint them a picture. Demonstrate how your solution will:

1. reduce or eliminate the cause(s) of the problem
2. reduce or eliminate the symptoms
3. help people
4. result in advantages
5. reduce costs; increase efficiency

1. Paint the opposite terrible scenario if your plan is not adopted.
2. Appeal for action and their motives of: fair play, desire to save, be helpful, pride, intelligence, community.
3. At the end of your speech, return to the topic sentence and revise it. Ask for their assistance by challenging them to do something, summarizing the important points, and indicating your own intention to do something. Close with a strong appeal for action.