The real thrill of debate: a fierce battle of spears and shields.
Through the previous series of columns, we learned how to craft a perfect "argument" (establishing one's own argument). If an argument is like building a strong wall, now is the time to learn how to identify the weakest brick in the opponent's wall and sharply destroy it. This is the **"cross-examination"**, often called the flower and highlight of debate.
Cross-examination is the process of asking pointed questions about the content of an opponent's speech immediately after it's been spoken. In offline contests, this involves a breathless exchange of questions and answers within a limited time frame, while in online communities like our GOLA platform, it takes the form of fierce "replies" and "rebuttals." However, many novice debaters misunderstand cross-examination as "offending the opponent" or "nitpicking." True cross-examination isn't a verbal battle where the loudest voice wins, but rather a meticulously calculated "detecting logical traps." In this article, we'll share four key cross-examination strategies that will help you elegantly seize the victory without offending your opponent.
4 Magic Questions to Win
1. Don't ask questions without a destination (only ask questions you know the answer to)
The most common mistake is to ask vague, open-ended questions like, "Why did you think that?" driven by curiosity. This is the worst possible move, as it provides the other party with a platform to further defend and promote their argument. A good cross-examination should be conducted like a competent lawyer in a courtroom drama. Before even asking a question, you should have already designed a logical, unconventional answer that forces the other party to answer with a simple "yes" or "no." Plan a leading question that gently guides the other party toward your desired conclusion (destination).
2. Long, rambling questions are poisonous (use short, closed questions)
If the question is long, both the audience and the questioner lose the point. The questioner holds the upper hand in cross-examination. To maintain this lead, you must consistently ask concise, "closed-ended" questions that don't leave the other person room for lengthy explanations.
- Hasu: "You said earlier that providing a basic income would revitalize the economy. What are your thoughts on the specific principles and methods for securing the funds?"
- Expert: "You just said basic income would stimulate consumption, right? (Yes.) So, ultimately, the funding for that would have to come from raising taxes, correct?" The trick is to keep your questions short and fact-based, building pressure so the other person has no choice but to give a short answer.
3. Target only the message (logic), not the messenger (emotions).
In heated debates, it's easy to become so excited that you fall into the "ad hominem fallacy," attacking your opponent's attitude or personal characteristics rather than their logic. Questions like, "You seem to be being unreasonable," or "Isn't that an emotional appeal?" only serve to irritate the audience. An elegant debater silently accepts their opponent's arguments, then pinpoints and attacks the contradictions, statistical errors, and extreme assumptions hidden within them. The more respectful and courteous your tone, the more destructive your sharp, logical questions will become.
4. The best attack secret is 'listening'.
Surprisingly, the best way to cross-examine is not through speaking practice, but through listening practice. When your opponent reads a perfectly prepared script, you'll inevitably find exaggerated words, figures with unclear sources, and logical leaps hidden within. Instead of passively listening to your opponent's opening arguments, use them as a time to take keen notes and identify flaws. For example, say, "In your introduction, you said 'all citizens benefit,' but according to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the top 20% actually suffer. How do you explain this contradiction?" Remember, the most lethal weapon against your opponent will always be the one that comes out of their mouths.
GOLA, a playground for sharp and affectionate debaters
Successful cross-examination ultimately isn't about manipulating the other party's thoughts to your own liking. Rather, it's a noble process of bringing hidden blind spots in each other's arguments to light, moving one step closer to the truth. The questioner must deliberate intensely, and the answerer must defend their own logic, growing one step further.
Now that you've equipped yourself with these four secret weapons, countless discussions on GOLA will look completely different. Read lengthy posts from other users and reply with a gentle yet sharp question. We hope you'll enjoy the pure, logical impact of a non-personal attack, and the thrill of intellectual enjoyment from your opponent's excellent defense, all on our GOLA platform.