Reveling in rhetoric: How speakers can savor style in World Schools

Let me set the scene:

It’s finals, and you’re Proposition’s third speaker, knocking the table as the Opposition’s second speaker is about to debate. They make their way to the podium and the bounce in their steps literally exude confidence. And then they start talking…

Eyes watch fervently as oohs and ahhs scatter across the room. Laughter rises above the otherwise pindrop silence every few seconds. The judges seem to nod their heads in unison. 

Your heart deflates. Every word they spin is pure gold, and you think, ‘I’ll never be able to beat them.’

Chances are the person you’re watching has a really good style. But luckily (like with all aspects of a debate), you too can become a better stylistic speaker. If you feel like your style is something you’re looking to improve, you’ve come to the right place! 

Why is style so important?

First, unlike many other debate formats, a win in World Schools is based on speaker points. So, there are no low point wins. Each ballot has three critical metrics that determine how many points a debater should receive: style, content and strategy. 

Content, according to the English-Speaking Union, “is the strength of argumentation presented and also covers the quality of rebuttal and ability to defeat opposing arguments.” In order to have better content, you should have clear warrants, accurate examples and in-depth analysis. Strategy is the ability to understand what arguments to prioritize with a good understanding of what your path to the ballot is. 

Style is reliant on your ability to predict the debate or something we call “round vision”. This can be based on how speakers use their voices, gestures, rhetorical techniques and engage with the audience. It’s important to clarify that there’s no “correct” style for all speakers. Rather, finding your style is heavily dependent on what would sound better for you. 

Both style and content are 40% of a ballot while strategy is 20%. Thus, not only can the style of a speech determine whether you win your round, it can also aid you in earning a speaker award. 

Second, good style as a speaker makes you stand out within a debate. Despite its importance, many speakers don’t actively engage in becoming better stylistically. Although we constantly ensure that our case and rebuttal content is clear and what strategy would help us win the round, we neglect one of the easiest facets of a debate we can improve on. So, if you want to have that spark that makes you stand out, style is a great way to start.

Now that we understand the importance of style, let’s understand how we can develop it!

How do I begin to have better style as a beginner?

If you just started World Schools, not to worry! We’ll be talking about how you can implement better style through quick tips.

First, fluency in speaking is absolutely essential. Stuttering or filler words like “um”, “uh” or “like” break your fluency and appear less persuasive. 

So how can you have better fluency? Use speaking drills to reduce fluency breaks. If you have a coach or teammate available, tell them to count how many times you stutter. The cringe you feel as your teammate holds up a finger for every filler word disincentivizes fluency breaks. If that isn’t available to you, record yourself reciting a speech. As you play it back, you’ll perhaps notice fluency breaks that you are sure weren’t there before. 

Second, implement more vocal, speed and tone fluctuation. World Schools is such an accessible form of debate because its style is based on everyday life. Unlike in other debates where you can get away with being monotonous, World Schools is the intersection of both speech and debate. 

Thus, having vocal variety by including both loud and quiet moments, fast and slow delivery and a variety of sentiments throughout a speech keeps it engaging for the everyday person. One of the best ways to work on delivery fluctuation is to watch good speakers. While debaters like Matthew Anzarouth or Anh Cao are a great start, you are not just limited to debaters. Watch how TED speakers or motivational speakers use fluctuation in their speeches. In speech, students often use blocking - annotating where they want to convey certain emotion - or writing out certain syllable breaks. If you feel that delivery is a problem in your case, start writing out when you want to convey sadness or happiness. 

Third, just be confident! As a beginner, it’s so easy to feel intimidated by those who have been in debate for far longer than you. But, your opponents don’t know how you feel unless you show them. So, fake it until you make it!

How do I begin to have better style as an experienced debater?

If you are a seasoned debater in World Schools, chances are you already know what good style looks like. Maybe you’ve seen good style from a fellow teammate, opponent or in yourself. In that case, let’s talk about a couple ways you can have even better style!

First, rhetoric is a crucial part of style! Rhetoric looks like using words that heighten your style. Relevant analogies, phrases or even actions that demonstrate your strength in style can go a long way. At the 2023 Texas Forensic Association State Finals, for example, my former teammate Sahith Mocharla referenced water bottles in the debate. For context, the motion being debated was This House, as the United States, should prioritize reducing taxes over increasing spending to stimulate economic growth. By thinking on his feet, Mocharla was able to show how the trickling condensation of the water bottles related to income in the debate. Using relevant, witty analogies simultaneously brings laughs and can help contextualize a debate. In order to practice rhetoric, try to identify analogies for a certain motion.

Second, adapt to the content of your speech. Once you understand that certain parts of your speech have a certain purpose, your speaking style should adapt to it. If you have an introduction that is aiming to be humorous, use a sarcastic speaking style. On the other hand, if you have a rebuttal that is calling moral outrage, express your frustration. After all, the best speakers are able to adapt to the round.

What’s the next steps?

Just like all other aspects of a debate, it is imperative to practice. By paying close attention to style specifically, you too can become better and this seemingly unnoticed facet of the debate. 

Developing your own style takes time, but it is a constant journey. 

Are you ready to start trekking?