What makes a good debater?

Typically, judges decide how persuasive debaters have been through three key criteria:
Content: What we say and the arguments and examples we use.
Style: How we say it and the language and voice we use.
Strategy: How well we engage with the topic, respond to other people's arguments and structure what we say.In British Parliamentary, there are four teams of two speakers. Two of the teams (and hence four speakers) are on the government and two teams are on the opposition. The first two speakers on the government side are called the opening government, the first two on the opposition are called the opening opposition and similarly the last two speakers on the government and the opposition are called the closing government and the closing opposition respectively. Speeches alternate between the two sides, starting with the first government speech, and are usually up to either five or seven minutes in length. All the teams are trying to win the debate outright - this means that it is not the side which wins but a specific team. Hence, speakers within the same team cooperate but teams on the same side do not cooperate during the debate, and instead try to outmanoeuvre each other. The teams are then ranked first to fourth in the debate. Each of the teams has a specific role in the debate.
Debate is contention in argument; strife, dissension, quarrelling, controversy; especially a formal discussion of subjects before a public assembly or legislature, in Parliament or in any deliberative assembly.^[1]
What is debating?

Debate is a formal argument, in which two opposing teams propose or attack a given proposition or motion in a series of speeches. It is governed by a set of rules, which permit interruptions or “points of information” by the opposition. Debates can be judged by a panel of judges (competitive debate) or by an audience (show debate).

Competitive debating uses the skills of argument to debate and discuss important issues about our beliefs, government policies and proposals on how to improve the world or face up to problems in society. A competitive debate should be rational, focused, and structured. Debating builds a unique set of skills, helping students to analyze problems, think critically, synthesize arguments and present these ideas in a cogent and convincing manner.There are a huge number of different reasons to debate, from learning to make interesting arguments, to travelling to countries thousands of miles away for debating competitions. Everyone has their own reasons to debate, but here are three of our reasons why you might want to try debating.
Debating is fun – Making arguments, defending your views, winning debates in front of an audience are all exciting.
Debating creates opportunities– Debating competitions take place all over the world and so debating offers the opportunity to travel to far-flung reaches of the globe to discuss important issues with groups of people from every country in the world.
Debating gives you skills – In education and work, being able to structure arguments, make convincing analysis and present your thoughts or argument to a group are all rare and highly valued skills. 
We live in a world where we communicate with others all the time. Debating is a more formal way of communicating. It builds confidence and self esteem in people. 

If we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently and passionately, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives. 

A debate has two teams: an Affirmative and a Negative. Each side consists of three speakers. The First Affirmative speaker begins the debate, and is then followed by the First Negative speaker. This pattern is maintained for the second and third speakers of each team. Each speaker speaks for a set time, with a warning bell, to give them a little time to sum up and finish, then a final bell. 

Each speaker has certain ‘duties’ to attend to as they speak (see ‘Duties of Speakers’).