Debater (Debatteerder)

Information on this skill...

Team Mijnzzp

A debater is a person who enters into a debate to defend or oppose a statement. This happens depending on the setting in public or within a closed group. A minimum of two people always take part in a debate, with the debaters expressing their opinion or position. In addition, the participants in the debate provide arguments and there is room for discussion about the positions. In a broader sense, a debate also occurs at the social level. This involves the exchange of opinions through various channels, such as through discussion forums and media. These are mainly thematic debates on general issues, such as nuclear energy. However, this does not refer to debaters in the strict sense of the word. Usually, debaters come in by invitation to participate in a debate. Just think of the elections for the House of Representatives, in which list leaders express and defend positions for their own party in a debate on television. The concrete work of a debater focuses on conducting the debate. However, it does require the necessary preparation. For example, it is important that the participants in the discussion of positions have a thorough knowledge of the subject. This means that a debater delves extensively into the subject in advance and establishes a position. To defend that position, the debater takes care to gather arguments. Conversely, arguments are needed to challenge the opponent's point of view. A debater can also ask questions to the opponent while conducting a debate and then respond to the answer.

There is no real profession in the position of debater, but conducting debates is common. Usually, the tasks of a debater are part of another profession. Think of a minister who, as a debater, has to defend a position. There are also all kinds of other professions to link to a debater. Just think of a moderator who has to steer the debate on the radio as a radio presenter in the right direction. This can also be a presenter on television and so it is also possible that a co-presenter together with the moderator gives direction to the form of the debate. There are also debates that are organized at a congress and the conference planner invites debaters for this. It is possible to think of doctors and health scientists who debate with each other at a medical conference. In politics, there are ongoing debates on specific topics. It may be the case that for important themes and debates a minister uses a spin doctor.

LEARNING TO DEBATE

Debating has everything to do with coming across convincingly in words. Just because you have sufficient knowledge about a certain subject does not mean that you can have a good debate. It's all about communication and persuasion based on arguments and in combination with a powerful presentation. Learning to debate is possible to become good at it. For example, argumentation is an important part of the belief. Without strong arguments, you start the debate with a backlog. A presentation should also be persuasive and short and concise formulations help with that. In addition, it is important to listen critically to the opponent and then react sharply to it. Having a debate is not a monologue, but a dialogue.

There are a number of pitfalls that you should avoid during a debate. For example, by first talking about yourself. It is more effective to pay attention to the interests of someone else, because that is how you make a connection. Another pitfall is to first state your point of view and only then to present the arguments. First put the arguments on the table and then put forward the conclusion. Dam make the arguments more impact. There is another pitfall and that is by only focusing attention on the differences. Also mention similarities and include the other person in the story to get the opponent to change his mind.

WHAT DOES A DEBATER DO:

  • Consider arguments
  • Delving into the subject
  • Defending a position
  • Combating opponent's point of view
  • Listening to the opponent
  • Communicating convincingly
  • Being short and to the point

WHAT DOES A DEBATER DO:

TRAINING TO BECOME A DEBATER

There are several courses available to learn how to debate. These are usually short courses and training courses that are focused on practice. In a debate training, for example, attention is paid to teaching a greater power of persuasion. These trainings are offered by commercial agencies. There are no specific training courses for debaters at, for example, MBO level or in higher education.

COMPANIES WHERE A DEBATER CAN BE EMPLOYED

There are all kinds of companies and organizations where a debater can work. For example, as an alderman employed by a political party and who is active in the city council and conducts debates on topics that are important in the municipality. Or as a doctor at a health centre just like stock market analysts who are employed by a bank or asset manager.

COMPETENCE DEBATER

The most important competence is persuasiveness in combination with strong communication skills. It is also important to appear inspiring and astute in order to quickly anticipate what the opponent has to say. You must also be able to argue well to defend your position or position. Furthermore, listening skills are also part of the competencies. A debate is not a one-way street and it is precisely good listening that offers opportunities to anticipate this and to refute the opinion. It is also important to be stress resistant and to deal well with criticism, because the opponent will do everything to unbalance you.

LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A DEBATER

When it comes to the labour market perspective, the future for debaters is certainly bright. Not as a stand-alone profession, but as part of a specific function. There are certainly different points of view in politics, but also in all kinds of other sectors. As long as there is a difference in positions, debaters are needed to defend and combat them. As far as growing as a debater is concerned, there is no specific function to be named.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY DEBATER

There is no real salary for a debater because the work is part of a more specific position. For example, in the profession of minister or alderman where there is of course a difference in salary. This means that there are also differences in other employment conditions.

The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.

Lesen Sie diese Informationen auf Debattierer auf Deutsch.

Lea esta informaciĆ³n sobre Debatidor en espaƱol.

Lees deze informatie over Debatteerder in het Nederlands.

Mijnzzp.nl