Debate facts for kids
Debate or debating is a way of having a structured argument. It's how people discuss different ideas and try to convince others that their point of view is the best. Debates can help solve disagreements and conflicts peacefully.
In a debate, people don't just share facts. They also try to connect with the audience's feelings. This helps them persuade listeners to agree with their side of the topic.
Every debate has a main topic or question. This topic always has at least two different sides or positions. Even everyday discussions can be a type of informal debate. But formal debates are usually better when the people involved know a lot about the topic and are skilled at speaking.
Contents
What is a Debate?
A debate is a formal discussion where two or more people present different sides of an issue. They use facts, logic, and persuasion to support their arguments. The goal is often to convince an audience or a judge.
Why do we Debate?
People debate for many reasons. It helps us explore different ideas and understand complex issues. Debates can also lead to better decisions. When different viewpoints are heard, it helps everyone think more deeply.
Debates in Everyday Life
You might not realize it, but debates happen all around us. When you discuss with friends which movie to watch, or argue with your family about chores, you're having a type of debate. These are informal, but they still involve trying to persuade others.
Formal Debates
Formal debates follow specific rules. They often happen in special settings like schools, parliaments, or during elections. These rules make sure the debate is fair and organized.
Debates in Government
Many important groups use debates to make decisions. These include:
- Parliaments: In countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, elected officials debate new laws.
- Legislative Assemblies: These are groups that make laws, like the U.S. Congress. They debate bills before voting on them.
- Meetings: Many types of meetings, from local councils to large organizations, use debates to discuss important topics.
Who Wins a Debate?
The winner of a formal debate can be decided in different ways:
- Audience Vote: Sometimes, the audience listens to both sides and then votes for the side they found more convincing.
- Judges: In many competitions, a panel of judges scores the debaters based on their arguments, speaking style, and how well they followed the rules.
- Both: In some cases, both audience votes and judges' scores are used to pick a winner.
Political Debates
Political debates are very common, especially when countries are choosing new leaders. These debates help voters learn about the candidates and their plans.
Presidential Debates
In the United States, debates between candidates for President and Vice President of the United States are very famous. Millions of people watch these debates on TV. They help voters decide who they want to lead the country.
Leaders' Debates in Other Countries
Other countries also have important political debates. In places like Great Britain and Canada, leaders of different political parties debate each other. These "leaders' debates" happen before elections and are a big part of how people choose their representatives.
Images for kids
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A 13th-century drawing showing a Jew and a Christian debating. This was from a book by Petrus Alphonsi, who used to be Jewish.
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Scholars having a debate, from an old Indian book called Razmnama.
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Debate Tonight: Whether a man's wig should be dressed with honey or mustard! This funny drawing from 1795 makes fun of some silly debate topics.
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People in London debated many topics in the 1700s. This picture is from a book praising marriage and family life around 1780.
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A debate happening at the Cambridge Union Society around 1887.
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Young people competing in the final round of the German-language "Jugend debattiert international" (Youth Debates Internationally) contest in Warsaw.
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A debate shown on TV during the 2005 Chilean presidential elections.
See also
In Spanish: Debate para niños
