1. Search the web for debate how-to guides. Simon Quinn's free debate guide is an excellent starting place. Most competitions in Singapore are based on the WSDC format, so make sure you are reading the correct guides.

2. Watch some debates. Attend a debate or watch an online video and see what a good debate looks like. We often have public exhibition debates, so stay tuned to our announcements page.

3. Attend a DA(S) camp. We normally hold a mid-year camp for complete beginners, and an end-of-year camp for those embarking on competitions in the next year. Check the calendar or contact us for details about the training programs.

4. If you are a good debater and want to join our advanced Debate Excellence Program, apply for the next year's DEP. Applications are open to all student debaters, but only the best will get selected.

1. If you know the motion, or know the general topic area for the debate competition, then research widely. Read websites, newspapers, magazines, and find out all you can about the topic.

2. Prepare your team's case approach, your individual points, and prepare a list of examples and other evidence that you can raise to subtantiate your points. Also prepare a rebuttal sheet, which contains possible arguments that the other team could raise, and your prepared responses for those arguments.

1. Pay attention and don't daydream! Be clear about what you intend to achieve/prove in your team's case, what you (individually) are going to prove, and how you are going to prove. Read the motion carefully. Do not run generic cases if they don't fit the motion

2. Stick to the basics:

3. Listen carefully to the other team. Rebut points that they raise. Interject with Points of Information (depending on the format). Do not stray away from the motion during the debate.

1. Listen to the verdict and talk to the adjudicators to find out the rationale for the decision. Note down what your team did well or could have done better, and what you as a speaker did well or could have done better. If you are unsure of anything, ask the judge for more details, but do not try and argue with the judge. The decisions cannot be reversed.

2. Discuss with your team mates and coach about the debate. Learn from your mistakes, but don't get disheartened if you lose. Even the best debaters in the world lose a few debates.

http://www.learndebating.com

Simon Quinn has written a how-to guide from his personal experiences as the world's best debater at the 1999 and 2000 WSDC. A must-read for all young debaters.

http://www.schoolsdebate.com

If you're going to debate, you should know the rules. Most formats in Singapore are based on the World Schools Debating Championships format.

Rules and Format guides for various competitions posted on October 27, 2008, 05:37:32 PM World Schools Debating Championship (main format used in Singapore for Secondary school and... 1 comment |

See the forum for more links

http://debatevideoblog.blogspot.com/

This website has links to lots of debate videos from different formats.

See the forum for more videos of local and international debates

Competitions

http://globaldebateblog.blogspot.com/

This blog tracks numerous international competitions.

http://www.schoolsdebate.com

The WSDC archives can be found here

HCI Invitationals (Humanitarian Law debates) 2008 results posted on October 21, 2008, 01:18:29 PM Hey everybody, Here are the results from the recent HCI Invitational debate... 0 comments |

The Arena: Arena 3 Update posted on November 24, 2008, 01:43:35 PM Dear all, As many of you may already know, Arena 3 has been postponed. The financial... 0 comments |

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