The four W's - What, Why, When, and Who - are helpful tools for practising and improving your debate skills. Here's a brief explanation of each W and how it relates to debate:
What is the point? This refers to the central argument or proposition that you are making in your debate. When preparing for a debate, you should be able to clearly and succinctly state the point you are trying to make. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked by irrelevant information.
Why is it true? This refers to the evidence and reasoning that supports your argument. In a debate, you need to provide clear and compelling evidence to back up your claims. This might include statistics, anecdotes, expert testimony, or other forms of evidence. It's important to be able to explain why your evidence is relevant and credible.
When has it happened before? This refers to historical or current events that relate to your argument. In a debate, it can be helpful to draw on examples from history or current events to illustrate your point. This can help make your argument more concrete and relatable to your audience.
Who cares? This refers to the audience you are trying to persuade. In a debate, you need to be aware of who your audience is and what their interests and concerns are. This will help you tailor your argument to make it more persuasive to your audience.
To practice using the four W's in a debate, start by selecting a topic and then brainstorming answers to each of the questions. For example, if your topic is gun control, you might answer the questions as follows:
What is the point? The point is that gun control laws should be strengthened in order to reduce gun violence.
Why is it true? It is true because research shows that countries with stricter gun control laws have lower rates of gun violence.
When has it happened before? Australia implemented stricter gun control laws in 1996 and saw a significant decrease in gun violence.
Who cares? People who have been affected by gun violence, as well as those who are concerned about public safety, care about this issue.
By practising with the four W's, you can become a more effective and persuasive debater. You'll be able to clearly articulate your arguments, provide strong evidence to back them up and tailor your message to your audience.