A debate is an organized argument or contest of ideas in which the participants discuss a topic from two opposing sides. Those who agree with this statement or idea will be on the ‘Proposition’ side, while those who go against the affirmative are the ‘Opposition’. Each side will show through organized, diplomatic and intellectual arguments why they believe their side stands, using examples and evidence to support their ideas while working towards a conclusion.

The aim of a debate is to convince the opposition and adjudicators that your side is justified. When the two sides agree on the subject or when one side’s arguments are more convincing than the other, the debate comes to a close with a concluding agreement. In a formal debate, a mediator (a person that has not agreed with either side) will decide who takes the debate. In informal debates, speakers will continue to debate until all arguments have been exhausted.

Formal debate in schools often adopt the World Schools Debating Championships format, where there are three speakers on each side. The first and second speaker are responsible for defining the motion which shapes the debate and introducing essential substantives such as the team’s policy and arguments. The third speaker’s onus is then to identify the clashes in the debate and to holistically craft rebuttals towards the opposing team while upholding and defending the team’s arguments. Factors that influence the winning side of the debate are mainly the coherence and convincingness of the arguments as well as the speakers’ style.