“To become influential, you need to sharpen your mind. First, you must take the information presented in a debate and analyse it thoroughly. I know this may seem daunting, but before partaking in a passionate discussion, you will likely have an opinion on the topic anyway, so don't be too worried here; you probably won't be out of your depth. Now, once you have heard your opponent's argument, you must consider constructing your idea into a viable comeback around the information received; this, of course, is followed by forming a concise and attractively packaged rebuttal. An innovative way to become skilled at dissecting information quickly and firing a quick comeback is to practice writing about a subject that interests you. Write at least five paragraphs, letting the words flow naturally. Once you have completed this, review your text and remove anything unnecessary. Repeat this process, and you will learn to instil brevity, adding more precision in both writing and speech. Suppose we perform this short exercise just two times per week? Brevity will naturally become part of your thinking, making you as efficient as possible in writing, but crucially, this also transfers to quick thought and speech.”
―
Luke Warren,
The Art of Debating: 7 Crucial Techniques of Influence & Persuasion: Essential for Millennials and Generation Z
