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Jabs

I think of a "jab" as a short, self-contained comment that has some kind of impact. Something you can slip in while your opponent is talking, or as a side-comment in a longer monologue.

Make a jokey comment at your opponent's expense that the audience will laugh at

This may have two positive effects (for the purposes of "winning" the debate):

• it may endear you to the audience, which may make them respond to you more positively in the future.
• it may upset your opponent's ability to perform.

On the other hand, you risk lowering the audience's esteem of you.

Examples:

2009? - Mos Def vs. Christopher Hitchens on nuclear weapons\

Hitchens: Mr. Definitely, can I call you that? (laughter from audience)

• I think the key here was to find something that separated Mos Def from the audience.
  • I doubt Hitchens put that much thought into it, but I think it's useful to understand the pattern.