Debate facts for kids
A debate is a formal way to discuss a topic. People present different ideas and arguments. Often, there is a person who leads the discussion, called a moderator, and an audience. Debates help people explore different viewpoints on important subjects.
Historically, debates happened in many places. These included public meetings, schools, and special debate halls. Today, debates are also common in competitions and government meetings. They are used for learning and fun, especially in schools and clubs. Debates teach you to think logically, use facts, and speak clearly to an audience. Modern debate competitions also have rules for how the debate will be judged.
Sometimes, "debate" can mean a more general discussion. This is a way for many people to explore and solve problems together. For example, people might debate how to improve their community or protect the environment.
Contents
Understanding Debate
The History of Debating
Debating has a very long history. It goes back to ancient times.
Early Debates Around the World
In Ancient Greece, people debated about philosophy and politics. This was part of their Athenian Democracy. In Ancient India, there were also formal debates called Shastrartha.
In ancient China, during the Han dynasty, scholars held famous debates. One series was called the Discourses on Salt and Iron in 81 BCE. These debates focused on changing economic policies.
Debating Societies Emerge
Modern debating began to take shape in the 1700s. This was during a time called the Age of Enlightenment. People started forming groups called debating societies.
Trinity College Dublin in Ireland has two of Europe's oldest debating societies. The Hist started in 1770. It was inspired by a club created by Edmund Burke in 1747. The Phil was founded even earlier, in 1683. The Society of Cogers began in London in 1755 and is still active today.
These societies became very popular in London. They allowed people from different backgrounds to discuss many topics. This helped new ideas and philosophies to grow.
A clergyman named John Henley opened an Oratory in 1726. He wanted to improve public speaking. He made his debating club a popular place. He even charged admission fees, showing how popular these events became. By the 1770s, debating societies were a big part of London life.
In these debates, a president or moderator introduced the topic. Speakers had a set time to present their arguments. After the debate, people often voted on a conclusion. Speakers had to be polite and stick to the topic.
Student Debates Begin
Student debating societies also started to form. Princeton University in the future United States had several in the mid-1700s. The American Whig-Cliosophic Society was co-founded in 1765 by James Madison, who later became a revolutionary leader.
The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies were formed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1795. They are still active today.
In Great Britain, the University of St Andrews Union Debating Society started in 1794. The Cambridge Union Society was founded in 1815. It claims to be the oldest continuously running debating society in the world. Other famous university debate societies include the Oxford Union and the Yale Political Union.
Debating in Politics
Debates are very important in politics. They help leaders make decisions and allow citizens to understand different ideas.
Debates in Government
In parliaments and other legislatures, members debate proposed legislation. They discuss changes to laws, called amendments. These debates usually have two opposing sides: the Government and the Opposition. Each side speaks, and then members discuss the proposal. Finally, they vote on whether the law should pass. The first parliamentary debate happened in Liverpool in 1882.
Many countries use this system today. These include Canada, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The structure of parliamentary debate also influences academic debate formats, like the Asian Parliamentary style. This style involves two teams of three speakers and is popular in countries like Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Debates for Political Leaders
Candidates for high political offices, like President or Prime Minister, often debate in public. These debates usually happen during an election campaign.
U.S. Presidential Debates
In the United States, debates between presidential candidates have been a regular part of campaigns since the 1976 election. These debates give citizens a chance to see and hear the main candidates discuss issues side by side.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was created in 1987. It is a non-profit, non-partisan group. The CPD has sponsored all U.S. presidential and vice-presidential debates since 1988, including the most recent ones in 2020 and 2024.
Competitive Debating Styles
In competitive debates, teams argue against each other. Judges decide the winner based on how well they present their arguments, their speaking style, and their strategy. Competitive debates happen all over the world, especially in secondary schools and universities. In the United States, this is often called forensics or speech and debate.
Australasian Style
This style has two teams of three people. They debate a topic that starts with "That" or "This House," like "That cats are better than dogs." Each of the six speakers takes turns speaking. The debate ends with a closing argument from the last speaker of each team. Speakers can offer "Points of Information" (POIs), which are short questions or challenges, during certain parts of the speeches. This style is common in primary and secondary schools in Australia and New Zealand.
Impromptu Style
Impromptu debating is less formal. Participants receive the topic only 15 to 20 minutes before the debate starts. Each team member speaks for 5 minutes, alternating sides. There's also a discussion period and a short break before final rebuttals. This style often feels more like public speaking, as topics can be very broad.
Lincoln-Douglas Style
This is a popular style in U.S. high schools. It's a 1-on-1 debate named after the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858. Debaters explore philosophical ideas related to real-world issues. They switch sides each round, either supporting (affirmative) or opposing (negative) a resolution. The resolution changes every two months. Debaters might speak very quickly, a technique called spreading.
Mace Style
The Mace style is common in Britain and Ireland for school debates. Two teams of two debate a motion. Each speaker gives a seven-minute speech. After the first minute, opposing team members can ask a "point of information" (POI). These are used to challenge weak points or disagree with something said. After all four speakers, the audience can ask questions. Finally, one speaker from each team gives a four-minute summary speech, answering questions and reviewing key points. This format helps students prepare for British Parliamentary style debate.
Oxford Style
This style comes from the Oxford Union debating society. It has a clear motion that one side supports and the other opposes. Before the debate, the audience votes on the motion (for, against, or undecided). Each speaker gives an opening statement. Then, a moderator takes questions from the audience. Finally, each speaker gives a closing argument, and the audience votes again. The winner is the team that swayed more audience members.
Paris Style
In Paris debating, two teams of five debate a motion. One team defends the motion, and the other attacks it. Judges look at the quality of arguments, speaking style, humor, quick thinking, and teamwork. Debates are often held in English, even in France. Each speaker talks for six minutes. Opposing debaters can ask Points of Information during the speech.
Parliamentary Style
Parliamentary debate uses rules similar to those in the British parliamentary procedure. It involves individuals competing in a group setting. Terms like "government" and "opposition" are used. This style is practiced worldwide, with many variations. The biggest event is the World Universities Debating Championship, which uses the British Parliamentary style.
Policy Style
Policy debate is a fast-paced style common in the U.S. Two teams of two argue for or against a resolution. This resolution is usually a proposed policy for the U.S. government or an international group. The affirmative team presents a specific plan. The negative team tries to show why the plan won't work or has too many downsides. This style includes three-minute questioning periods after each main speech.
Public Forum Style
Public forum debate combines parts of policy and Lincoln-Douglas debates. It's designed to be easy for the general public to understand. Speeches are shorter, there's less jargon, and there are longer questioning periods called "cross-fires." Topics change monthly and cover current events in the U.S. and worldwide. A key feature is that anyone can be a judge, not just experienced debaters.
Tibetan Buddhist Style
This is a traditional Buddhist debate style from Tibet. It involves two people: a Challenger (who asks questions) and a Defender (who answers). Debaters rely on their memory of religious teachings and their understanding. Unique features include ceremonial chanting and symbolic hand gestures. The Challenger claps their hands and stomps their foot loudly to emphasize points. The hand movements symbolize wisdom, method, and the goal of helping all beings achieve enlightenment.
Turncoat Style
In this unique style, one speaker debates alone. They speak for 2 minutes "For the motion," then 2 minutes "Against the motion." Finally, they give a 1-minute conclusion that balances both sides. After this, the audience asks questions. This style focuses on how well the speaker can switch arguments and balance different opinions.
Debate in the Digital Age
Online Debates
With the internet, people often share different opinions online. Many websites now offer formal debate platforms. The rules and culture vary from site to site. Some encourage strong arguments, while others focus on polite discussion and research.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly changed debating. Many competitions moved online. This made debates more accessible, as it removed costs like travel and hotels. More students could participate, making debating more inclusive. Research shows that online debating is a valuable learning tool. It can boost interest, presentation skills, research abilities, and critical thinking.
Some online platforms even offer competitions with cash prizes. These include "debater of the month" contests or formal formats like Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Debate on TV
Debates have also become a popular type of television show. These shows often feature experts or politicians discussing current events.
See also
In Spanish: Debate para niños
- Dialectic
- Disputation
- Eloquence
- Persuasion
- Rhetoric
