I see, you are in a competitive committee and looking for some advice and tips. If so, you are in the right place.

First of all, I hope you have read our article about being a well-prepared delegate and have done your research before the conference. But in sessions, while you are using data and pieces of information about the topic, you should tell what you have in your mind to people in a proper way and make them understand and be convinced by your ideas. That means you will debate!

Initially, what is debate, and most importantly why are you going to do it?

The debate does not have the same meaning as a row. In a debate, you are going to be giving an argument and then advocate it. Especially in MUN, you have to do it while maintaining diplomacy. Your main duty is to find solutions for the world’s current problems and while doing that you need to cooperate with other delegates because MUN is also teamwork. Arguing is not the point here. The point is consultation and negotiation with the delegates. So do not just objectify others’ ideas or defame them. Moreover, listen to them and collaborate. Debating about a topic shows you the other sides of the issue which you could not see before, makes you creative and constructive.
I hope that you understood the definition of debate. Now let’s start to talk about the “HOW TO” part. In GSL speeches or moderated caucuses, you are going to give statements about your policy and declare an argument. And here it is… The structure of a strong argument:

Statement + Explanation + Example + Conclusion

I guess you know these things one by one but the key is to combine them in an order like this to make your speeches more efficient. You can use this method in two different situations: First while giving an argument about your idea and secondly while refuting an argument. So start with the statement:

Statement:

A statement is a part that you’re answering the question with “what is your idea?”. I reiterate this because during caucuses due to stress or excitement some delegates start to explain their idea immediately even they do not make an introduction like stating the main idea. Especially for not to be exposed to the demoralizing point of pieces of information later, be brief, and direct in the statement part.

Explanation:

In the second part, you are going to explain why your statement is true, acceptable, and feasible. In short, present your idea with its reasons. If your statement is about a solution way of the current problem, you should explain to people why this way is the most applicable one. If you are recommending a mechanism in your solution, you should give some basic information about the way it’s working and what you are planning to make it real. Do not forget that: to make your ideas approved, you need to prove your argument and this is the core of win a debate itself.

Example:

The third part is giving an example. The proof is everything. Find perceptible data that support your idea and objectify it. Think it like giving an example while discussing a common issue which we always encounter in our lives. If you do this nobody can blame you about talking hypothetical or presenting fictional solution ways.

Conclusion:

In the conclusion part, repeat your statement and conclude it. While you are doing these things always control the time limit. If due to time limit you can’t conclude your speech, unfortunately, your speech can not be as efficient as you want. Nobody relies upon a speech which is cut. Moreover, don’t forget this is just a speech which takes no longer than one and a half minutes. So each part of your speech can only contain a few sentences.

#Do’s and #Don’ts

• Maintain Diplomacy: In your sayings be respectful to other delegates and act like a real delegate. Diplomacy is a language that is not easy to speak. Learn how to use it.
• Listen to other delegates: Listening is an activity which has advantages but also disadvantages. For using it as an advantage: you can use their words against them in your speeches. You can refute their notions about the issue. With that way, you can shine out with your debate skills and also show your ideas are more efficient -instead of other delegate’s ones because it is failed-. After this what are the disadvantages? Pointless listening is a good example. Do not just listen to it. Listen to be informed and use the information which you heard. Otherwise, this could be pointless listening.
• Self-control: Know when the debate starts and when it ends. Talk about your opinion but at the right time. If the topic of discussion is suspended and nobody talks about it anymore, do not try to sustain it. Or in a different situation be careful about which side of the issue is being discussed at the moment. For example, while everybody giving speeches about the economic effects of the issue, do not give a speech about political effects in your turn. You can do it if politics become the discussion point. Because -in our example- the point is economy right know according to the motion.
• Speak, speak!: Always trust yourself and give the best of you. Speak, represent, and advocate your ideas!
  That was a guide that includes quick tips about debating. Good luck with your sessions!

 

İldeniz CİVCİK

Member of the Content Producer Team