It's not so easy to become a good speaker or a good chairperson. Here are some useful advice which help you improve your debating skills and become a good speaker.
- Talk to the audience, don't read to them. Remember your job is to persuade the audience - and persuasion is interactive.You need to engage the hearts and minds of the audience.
- Practice in front of the mirror or in front of a video camera. There's no better way to improve your delivery than seeing what the audience sees.
- Write less on your cards, not more. Remember the main purpose of notes - to remember content. So, use as few written words as possible to help you jog your memory in case you get lost.
- Always relate what you are saying back to the topic - explain its relevance.You should make it clear to the audience that everything you say helps you prove your side of the topic.
- Use examples to support your arguments. They should be interesting, easy for the audience to relate to and provide sufficient evidence.
What makes a good chairperson
A good chairperson will always...
- keep order
- keep the audience's attention on the speaker
- speak loudly and clearly
- manage people who interrupt appropriately
A good chairperson will never...
- shout to keep order
- use the gavel before they try to make their presence known verbally
- treat the gavel as a sledge hammer
- use violence to establish order
- forget to keep a good record of time throughout the debate
What makes a good speaker
A good speaker will always ...
- demonstrate a good knowledge of the topic
- use examples and facts to support his/ her arguments
- show enthusiasm and confidence
- try to answer questions put to them, even if the questions are tough ones
- ask somebody to restate their question if it is unclear
- keep to the point and not wander off topic
- speak loudly and clearly
A good speaker will never ...
- mumble his / her words
- contradict himself/ herself
- have a question unanswered
- leave the debate in a bad mood should he/she happen to lose
I wish you good luck!