Ending a debate effectively demands the skill of summarizing all the central points of your argument in a way that strengthens your stand. The end moments of a debate serve vital roles in enforcing your point, clarifying your ideas, and influencing your audience’s thinking
.Best Practices
- Understanding the Debate Flow: How debates usually flow can hint towards what sort of closing remarks to deliver. The usual structure covers strong opening statements, main argument presentation, evidence presentation, counter-arguments, and finally, your conclusion.
- Addressing Both Sides: Mentioning both sides of the argument in your conclusion goes a long way in demonstrating your understanding of the topic and respect towards contrasting viewpoints.
- Answering Questions: An excellent conclusion answers dominant questions from the debate and addresses possible objections to your stance. A dismissal, if any, should be explained to avoid appearing vague.
- Reinforcing Main Points: Reiterating your key points in your conclusion helps the audience remember your standpoints better.
- Invoking Further Discussion: A debate does not have to end definitively. Encourage further discussion and understanding with open-ended remarks.
- Making a Strong Statement: The end of your argument is your final chance to make an impact. End with a powerful statement, fact, or quotation that amplifies your belief and sets your audience thinking.
Useful Phrases
- “Let’s keep the conversation going and see where it takes us.”
- “While we may not have reached complete agreement, it’s clear that we have all contributed valuable insights to this discussion.”
- “Thanks. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Give me some time to consider what you’ve said, and maybe we can get back to it.”
- “In my view, it will be, “ thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my argument against this notion and I hope that my arguments will lead you to the right side of this notion. Thank you.”
- “Although we have different views, let’s not dismiss each other’s ideas, instead, let’s continue to engage with empathy and open-mindedness.”
Focus on Relevance
Avoid unnecessary or contradicting statements that may undermine your position or confuse your audience. Be consistent, concise, and ensure that your conclusion is strongly related to what you are debating about.
Concluding Remarks
Ultimately, a powerful closing statement in a debate doesn’t merely conclude an argument; it emphasizes the speaker’s views and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. The artfulness of the conclusion lies not only within the content but also within the delivery. It’s a skill that takes time and practice to perfect. So remember, keep your delivery respectful, concise, and relevant, always taking into account the diversity of your audience and the context in which you are debating.