Debates are structured verbal arguments that allow participants to present and defend their opinions on controversial topics. They can be one-on-one or team formats with various time limits and order of speeches. Evidence and personal quotes are used to justify positions, and debates can be affirmative or negative. Good speakers appeal to both logic and emotions, anticipate responses, and have thorough knowledge of the subject. Debates often include a cross-examination section and rebuttal speeches. Presidential debates have a long history in the US, and high school debates usually involve discussion groups.
A debate is a verbal argument that is conducted within a set framework. Debates are common in both political and educational settings. People can disagree with opposing opinions in a structured environment that gives all participants the opportunity to present and defend their arguments, as well as to draw conclusions about the arguments of their opponents. There are many different formats possible for a debate, but debates also have many characteristics in common.
The topic of a debate can be pretty much anything. However, most debates with audiences center on a controversial issue that has interest to the public, such as the topic of gun control. Some debates involve audience participation with some questions posed by the audience to the speakers. Debates can pit one participant against another or can be in a team format. Basic debate formats vary widely in terms of time limits for speeches, the order of speeches, and the way topics are presented.
The opening speeches in a debate are called “constructive speeches” because the speakers present the basic construct of their argument. An argument in a debate means stating your position and then justifying that position by stating why your position on the subject is the right one. Evidence obtained through research, for example in the form of statistics or in the form of research results, is used to justify a position in a debate. Personal quotes and testimonials can also be used as evidence to strengthen the position.
The two positions in a debate are affirmative and negative. The affirmative or “for” side in a debate supports something while the negative or “against” side supports something. For example, the affirmative position on gun control would argue why firearms regulations are necessary for public safety, while the negative position on gun control would argue why controls would not work to ensure public safety.
Presidential debates are held before every US presidential election and have a long history in the US. They date back to 1858 when Abraham Lincoln argued with Stephen A. Douglas in seven different slavery debates held in seven congressional districts of Illinois. High school debates usually involve discussion groups rather than one-on-one debate formats. Sometimes, student speakers are given a position rather than choosing their own position. Whether positions are chosen or assigned, a proper debate strategy is essential to winning debates.
Good speakers understand the importance of appealing not only to logic and reason, but also to the emotions of the audience. Argument strategies are important and speakers need to anticipate responses from other speakers and the audience. Thorough knowledge of the subject and not just the main points is absolutely essential for a good debate. A good speaker must demonstrate not only why his position is right, but why his opponent’s position is wrong.
Most debate formats include a cross-examination section where participants can ask questions of other candidates. The strategic idea of the debate here is to try to expose the weaknesses in your opponent’s argument. Rebuttal speeches are those at the end of a debate. They offer both a summary of each speaker’s argument and conclusions drawn from the other speakers’ arguments.
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