How to do Research

for a
Debate Speech
 Take your time reading and making short notes simultaneously. Your content should be
relevant and interesting at the same time. Keep adding your own quirks for uniqueness. The
same content on web is available to everyone, it depends on us how we shape it and bend it
to our will.

Know more about the basics of doing research here -

https://www.nhcc.edu/student-resources/library/doinglibraryresearch/basic-steps-in-the-
research-process
First, read the topic carefully and make sure you understand what it is trying to convey. The
next step is to research the general topic the subject is referring to, it could be technology
or politics or society related.

Once you understand the larger topic at hand, research the specific topic of your motion
and find out arguments and evidences that you can use. However, remember, you need to
explain the information or the assertion that you have found in your own words, which is
called analysis.

So, once you have all the information in one place, frame your arguments in the ARE format
and you're good to go!

Check this out! https://www.vbriefly.com/2014/02/18/2014210-research-tips-for-debaters/

 Every motion entails a larger dilemma, spend most of your time trying to find that one out.
Once identified, target the discipline it's picked from - for instance if it has a philosophy
background, having basic philosophical understanding is a must.

Research the specifications of that dilemma, know its pros, cons and practicality. Add in a
bunch of quotes, interesting facts etc. to make your case attractive.

At last, don't forget to contextualize, mould that knowledge you've gathered according to
the demands of the debate and substantiate it further to make it look persuasive.

Go through this once to get more insights-

https://www.thoughtco.com/interactive-debate-sites-for-students-8042
 When I started debating learning and reading about the first principles helped me, though
it's true it's not going to be of much use in your senior years, it's a good way to start, so just
go through it once.

Then see what is the theme of the motion, there are certain themes for eg; pop culture,
politics and Philo etc. Make sure you are in tune with the trends and watch content related
to these themes also, it really helps. And finally, practice also helps so make sure you are
mocking, if you don't have enough people to mock with you can go to certain verified
Facebook groups which cater to this purpose only.

First-principles pdf;
https://cpb-ap-se2.wpmucdn.com/learn.stleonards.vic.edu.au/dist/1/223/files/2013/01/FIRST-
PRINCIPLES-MAD-Training-Handbook-2010.pdf

YouTube channels;
Philosophy: wisecrack, crash course philosophy, the school of life
Feminism: American enterprise institute; FACTUAL FEMINIST

(Just like these there are many other channels available, today podcasts are also gaining
popularity so you can opt for them too). Plus there are are many Facebook debating groups
which are genuinely good, debating serious posting and CUSID to name a few.)
First, you need to filter the relevant data as there is a but load of information out there.
Also, keep your information vast and not just related to your personal interests. Try to find
the interesting dynamic effects of the news and use that to remember it.

If you want to have notes, use digitized and structured ones as they are easier to manage.
Try youtube channels, podcasts and video presentations of information if you feel texts to
be unattractive. And it's not necessary to always have read the full news piece. It's ok to go
ahead with just the headlines sometimes.

You can also share your information with others as that will enhance others knowledge
while helping you remember the facts.
Last but not the least, the more researched and knowledgeable you are, the more persuasive
and impressive speaker you'll be.

References: Search Engines, Research sites, Shortened and highlighted news websites and
information YouTube channels and podcasts.