Hi, please share your experiences in debates, recitation or speeches at any schooling level, if any.:halo: How you got to prepare, jot down your ideas, skills. Whatever! Take it like ‘‘Tips for becoming an influential speaker & debater’’. 
Re: Speakers and Debaters at GS
^I was a debator in both school and college.
I was a speaker in both scjhool and college.
Debate
First thing you need is guts to face the crowd.You need to have a through knowledge about the subject.You have to maintain eye contact .It's best always to have the opening and the closing statements recorded against your name.
Speech
I have always felt that speeches should be natual and you need not prepare much for this apart from grabbing a general view of the subject.You should know how to change the core of the subjct according to the audience/listeners.Your voice should be clear.Stammering has to be avoided and also long silence. Making an indelible impression in the minds of your listeners is the foremost thing required for a speaker.
Re: Speakers and Debaters at GS
I have done speeches for my speech/communication classes. The only tip I have at the moment is to choose a topic that is of your interest and you are comfortable talking about it.
Re: Speakers and Debaters at GS
I was a debator at school n college level, i remember my first interschool debate my legs were shaking n my throat was too dry but i was just loud n showed expressions....i think its a game of expressions, you should know what you are saying and you should be agreed to it then BAAT MEIN DUM aata hai.
i remember few girls doing acting kinda thing during debates n they were quite successful, if the topic can have some fun element do include it, some drama, etc...materail is 50% important n 50% your command, gestures and body language.