I don't agree with ppl saying it's a waste of time to debate others. Depending on the person ure talking with, it may be very possible that you help them move into the right difection. Or maybe the ppl listening. That's partially how i got here.

I have a friend who continuously asks questions abt communism, but will then counter my answers with an assumptions of his, but in a friendly, devil's advocate kinda way. That's pretty much a debate, I think and so far I could help him understand certain concepts. When I'm outta answers I simply say that I have no clue atm and know that I have to look up that certain topic and learn more abt it. So it's helpful to myself as well.

While I don't have anything to recommend for forming better arguments, in my experience, the better you understand a topic the better you are at arguing for it. Very often it's simply abt not falling for the usually false, misinformed premise ur 'opponent' presents u with. I've also found that it's best not to engage people at all who are just looking for a fight. Hope this helped.