Steelman before you strike

A strawman is the other side's argument with the strength drained out. It is easy to beat and convinces no one who was listening. The opposite move wins rounds.

What a steelman is

To steelman a point, you restate it in its strongest, most reasonable form before you answer it. Sometimes that means putting it better than your opponent did. You give their case its best shot, out loud, and then you take that shot down.

Why it works

Two things happen at once. The judge sees that you understood the point, so your reply carries weight instead of looking like a dodge. And you commit yourself to beating the real argument, which forces a sharper answer than a swing at a weak one ever could.

There is a quiet trust dividend too. When you put the other side's view fairly, the room believes you are arguing in good faith. That credibility carries into every later clash.

How to do it fast

Lead with a clean handover: "The strongest version of your point is this." Say it in one sentence, no sarcasm, no air quotes. Then pivot: "Here is why it still does not hold." Keep the steelman shorter than your rebuttal. You are setting up the target, not arguing their side for them.