What is a Debate?

Debate or debating is a method of interactive argument. Though a debate is basically an argument, it is not an
indisciplined shouting match between parties (individuals/teams) holding different points of view.

Benefits of Debating
By participating in various debates you can
 enjoy the experience
 develop your communication skills
 arrive at a better perspective on different topics

Debate and Group Discussion

Debate differs from a group discussion in several ways. Debate is basically an argument where participants
take a particular stand on a given topic and stick to it as they speak on it. A group discussion, on the other
hand, is a cooperative process in which members discuss a topic and reach a consensus. You need to be very
flexible in a group discussion. You need to consider others' points of view also. However, in a debate you
need to have just one particular view point. In a debate, the number of participants could be from two to fifty
or even more, whereas in a GD it is usually between five and fifteen.

Conducting a Debate
A topic is given for debating to individuals or teams. A team might consist of a minimum of two debaters and
a maximum of fifty or more.

Debate set-up:
Debates usually start with the affirmative team, followed by a member of the opposing team. Then another
member of the affirmative team is up again, then opposing, and so forth. After each side has presented their
arguments, they each get a chance to rebut the arguments made by the other side. So, a debate can take up an
entire lesson, depending on how involved the topic is, how many members of each team are presenting, and
how prepared your students are.

But it doesn’t have to. It could also be a short warm-up activity where everyone gets to say something. I liked
doing this because it allowed my students to practice using typical debate language whenever possible.
It’s also important to set up rules for a debate such as:

 Be respectful.
 Do your research and come prepared.
 Use appropriate language only.
 Don’t interrupt others.
 Keep within your time frame.
 Speak only when it is your turn.
 Speak loudly and clearly.
 Support your arguments with evidence.

Debate topics can really be anything.

 Fast food should be banned.
 Professional athletes should not be able to make more than $1 million dollars in pay each year.
 Climate change is the greatest threat to our planet today.
 Animal testing should be banned.
 College should be tuition-free.
 Every government should have to invest in alternative energy.
You can find a ton of debate questions online that work for the topic you are currently teaching in class.

I like to give my students a few typical debate phrases to introduce them to the language often used in
discussions and arguments.
Important debate language for students:
For the introduction:
The topic of today’s debate is …
People believe that ...
For presenting your argument:
The most important (second important) argument is ...
Another argument is ...
The main point/thing/idea is ...
Most importantly …
I’d like to point out that …
I am convinced that …
I believe ...
Supporting your argument:
What I mean by that is …
I’d like to emphasize that …
I’d like to point out that …
An example of that is …
Disagreeing:
I will have to disagree with …
I see your point, but …
I don’t think that is true because …
I’m afraid I have to disagree with …
The evidence we saw does not support …
In the article _____, it was clearly stated that …
Agreeing:
_____ had a good point ...
I agree with …
I think he/she has the right idea …
I completely support that argument …
I’d like to add to ______’s point of view …