Prepare to argue either side of a topic. Persuasive skills are valued, more so in parliamentary debate where style and wit are important. In tournament debate, the emphasis is on logical exchange. A topic is chosen like "Resolved, that the United States should legalize marijuana." The affirmative side argues in favor of the resolution and the negative side opposes it. Participants take turns presenting the cases and attempting to defeat the other team's arguments.
Respond to questions from two possible sources, your opponents and the judges. Debate competitions resemble courtroom trials, but there are no witnesses, only opposing counsel. Most of your responses will be to criticism, questions and arguments from your opponents. Debate competitions follow an established format. First are eight minute "constructive" arguments. Affirmative goes first, then negative, then the second affirmative, then the second negative. Next are four-minute rebuttal arguments, two for each side.
Establish the need for change in the first affirmative speech. The first negative speaker logically challenges each of your arguments. The second affirmative speaker responds strongly to a couple of the negative side's questions and then spends most of her time presenting a plan for implementing the change. The second negative speaker spends most of her time criticizing the plan. After these "constructive" arguments building the cases of both sides, the teams move on to rebuttal.
Speak first in rebuttal if you were the SECOND negative speaker. The affirmative goes next, then the negative side again, and an affirmative speaker closes the debate. Your responses to questions or arguments must be relevant or you will lose points. Perhaps the affirmative argues that legalizing marijuana will reduce crime. You will cite evidence of why it will not. Next you argue that not only will this change not result in improvements, it will create harm.