This may be OT for some and as such i will also post it there. Regardless the following quotes should prove to be great reading.

So, what makes a great debater???

'Good' is a value statement. What makes a good debater depends on what is values as 'good'.

"If you value crushing your opponents before a common audience, then passionately state subtle fallacies to drive them to emotion. Ignore their points and focus on yours. Twist their words to paint them evil. Know your audience you can tell what is evil (ie: tree hugger or deforester?).

If you value crushing your opponents before an intelligent audience, then do the same except passionately object to any fallacies they make or you imply from their statement and avoid making fallacies. Cite sources that back up your points and attack the opponent on anything claimed without support.

If you value learning, then get clarification from them and try to learn their assumptions/presumptions and values, the evidence, their reasoning, and argue if their conclusions are inconsistent.

If you value teaching, then make elaborate list of points on the subject and make it your goal to make everyone understand your basis, reasoning, and conclusions.

If you value truth, then use a combination of learning and teaching, but avoid judgment of values. Focus on the reasoning and any contradictions brought up by it. Understand fallacies. Avoid using them and be sure to object to them."

"Try to actually understand that arguments of the other side. Don't disparage them until you really understand them. You cannot know you are right until you know what your opponent is saying.

Have a good background in the topic. It's simply true that someone who knows what they are talking about, knows the relevant information, knows the history of the debate, will do better than someone who just has a random opinion. In the democratic world of the internet it's easy to forget that an educated opinion is actually usually superior to an uneducated one.

Actually respond to your opponent's argument, not to what you think his argument is, not to what people on his side often say.

Logic must be your number one tool. There's nothing wrong with using personal anecdote or even the rare ad hominen attack, but first make sure your logic is right!

All arguments depend on two things: logic and facts. If you are superior in both, you will more likely be right. Moreover, logic is essentially the same everywhere, so if you're good in it you will tend to be more likely right in every subject unless you don't have the facts right. Whether that actually translates into "victory" in debate, however you define that, is questionable, but I care more about being right than winning anyways."

Eloquence

Speak in a way that is clear and interesting.

Focus

Bear in mind both the essence and details of the argument at its inception and if deviates from this (gets off topic), then make sure you can honestly say it wasn't under your power it did so.

Moderation

Remain composed and austere even under the most trying circumstances. I have trouble with this one, but sometimes I pull it off.

Fairness

Do not engage in dishonest rhetorical practices to save face or ward off inevitable defeat at the victor's expense. Let them have their win with good grace. 'Ignoring' or 'going away' count as unfair rhetorical practices, since you are trying to create the impression you "could" win but for "some reason" you don't feel like it.

Receptiveness

Listen to everyone who knocks on your door. Never dismiss even the most ignorant seeming person out of hand. In spite of everything, they might have a profound thought or two.

Ironism

Maintain a sense of detatchment from your own ideas, at least for the duration of the argument. This way you will hear things you would have never thought about before.

"Know when what you have to say is not applicable.

That includes when being pushed to respond emotionally.

Just don't say anything.

Sometimes what makes a good debater isn't knowing what is best to say, but knowing to not say the things that would be bad."

'Maturity, self-knowledge and the ability to divorce yourself momentarily from your opinions so that you can accept someone attacking your position without feeling like they're attacking you personally.'

'Always being condiserate of others, and when appropirate adding a bit of humor or good flavor to the debate.'

'Remember, we are all here to have fun and learn some new things, I think the best debators are all those who understand that.'

Now then, it's the last 2 quotes i like for the here and now. Group Hug?? TFIC

Best Regards

Notster