Types of Debate

Types of Debate

Debates form an essential part of the communication world. In such, discussions allow individuals to challenge their ideas against those of contrary opinions. Through engaging in debating contests, individuals acquire valuable skills that will help them develop a more persuasive and courageous tone. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how various ways the debate can be presented. Contests are mainly classified according to how they are undertaken and also the number of participants and rebuttals available.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate

This debate is a type where only two individuals are participating. The refuting and concurring opinions are placed opposite each other so that they can present their arguments while facing an audience. The Lincoln-Douglas debate receives its name from the famous debate between Lincoln and Douglas as they were running for the senate. In this debate, individuals are mainly debating on a subject that has two approaches. Due to the nature of the discussion, they are allowed enough time to research and hence come to the debate well prepared.

Having this debate allows individuals with contrasting opinions on a subject matter to defend their views effectively. Traditionally, this subject is such a controversial one as both sides have an utterly persuasive point. As was in the case of Lincoln and Douglas, the decision on whether it was right to continue with slavery or not affected not only the immediate parties but had stretching reaches to every part of the society. For a decisive conclusion to be contacted, the arguments placed by either of the participants are weighed for the most persuasive one. It is therefore fair to say, during the presentation of a Lincoln-Douglas type of debate, does not only the presentation matter but also the point presented.

The Rebuttal Debate

Most often, this form of debate is used in High schools and College levels. It is primarily designed to elaborate on the effectiveness of a group to fully explore their potential by working as a unit. The debating sides are composed of two or three members each of these members, the first presenters will put across their arguments, and the rest of the groups will be allowed a rebuttal each. The debate opens the groups to all the possible ways in which ideas could be presented as they are required to work together to achieve the presentation. During the discussion, the groups are allowed more than one rebuttal and, therefore, privileges with making the impression they want during the debate.

Here, many aspects of the debating process are put to the test. Unlike an individual who can maintain a single course throughout the debate, a group is subject to exposure of weaknesses on matters preparations and understanding of the agenda. When the group is functioning together, they are expected to maintain and affirm what their predecessor said. Similarly, the group is also tested for their eloquence and efficiency in using language. Through rebuttals, the opponents can question some of the points presented based on the way they spoke. It is, therefore, important that during such debates, the group makes all the necessary preparations to avoid being compromised.

The One Rebuttal Debate

This debate is a modification of the Lincoln-Douglas debate; however, in this case, the groups are allocated three members each. The first speaker will be the first member of the group, supporting the motion being presented. After the affirmative speaker makes his presentation, the members of the negative group are allowed to refute. The challenge continues until all the members have spoken, and the first member of the affirmative group ends the debate through an opposing rebuttal.

During this debate, several aspects of the debating ability of the members are tested. First, their ability to adequately represent themselves is put to the test. Since the presentation is only done once, the member must make sure that their point is as clear as possible. Using the given opportunity very effectively allows the member to have a significant impact on their opponents. While presenting the ideas, the participants are evaluated on their ability to defend their position in the debate efficiently. The first impression also works enormously in evaluating the competitor, since there are no second chances to speak one opportunity is to be ceased and economized. Rather than dwell on posing questions to the opponents, a participant may use the opportunity to foster their cause in the debate.

The Oregon-Oxford Debate

This debate consists of two groups, with each side supporting a different version of the motion. The groups are allocated three members who are all to work concurrently to help their team of the proposal. The debate sets off with the first member of the proposing group giving his or her claim about the motion. Upon completing his presentation, the first member of the affirmative group is asked some emerging questions by the second member of the opposing group. When the opposite side is content with the answer given, their first speaker is allowed to give his claim on the debate.

An interpellation from the supporting side follows the presentation. This approach will also continue until the members of the proposing party are satisfied. Then the second member of the affirmative team gives their claim, which is followed by an interpellation from either the first or the second speaker of the opposing group. It will also apply for any successive speakers that will follow. The first speaker of the negative side will then present his or her rebuttal after the last speaker has spoken. Eventually, the debate comes to an end with the first speaker of the supporting side, giving his or her answers.

In this debate, the moderator ensures all the steps are adequately followed, and all the members are fairly treated. He or she has the power to request one to stop their presentation or call off a heated debate over a single none progressive issue. The moderator ensures all the members are going according to the set rules without being biased to any section. The moderator ensures that at all times, individuals remain within the constraints and relevance of the debate.

This kind of debate involves several presentations and opportunities for the speakers to counter their opponents. The best approach is to device the claims in a way that the opponent is trapped between agreeing with you. Furthermore, setting the questions should be in a cunning way to allow the speakers to arrest the opponent in their weak points. During these debates, the speaker is tested extensively on their ability to not only use language but also how they effectively communicate their answers. The development of discordant questions will help the group defeat its competitors. During this debate, the ability of an individual to quickly think of a solution to a rather complicated problem will go a long way in helping the group achieve its goal.

Other Forms of Debates

Apart from the traditional way of classifying debates according to the format in which it is conducted. Debates can also be organized as a factor of who is holding the discussion. On such occasions, the members of the organizing committee will allocate a name to their debate. When developing a debate, the members will be going after some specific objectives through their forums. Such debates include:

National Debate Tournament or Team Policy Debate, this kind of discussion has a set of two debaters each and is allocated a specific time during which the debate runs. The speakers are allowed to have four occasions under which they are to present their constructive claims and another four chances for rebuttals. This type of debate is primarily designed for students in their collegiate level; however, the version intended for high school students is referred to as team policy debates.

There is also a kind of debate where the competitors are asked to take random questions and are given a few minutes to prepare. These debates are known as the spontaneous argumentation debates. Here, the motions are random, and the subject discusses it to the best of their ability during the allocated time. Since such discussions are not allowed ample time to prepare, they are mainly used to test ones’ ability to express their points well and not necessarily the eloquence of their facts on the topic. The speaker is expected to show complete control and conquer the fear of public speaking on a subject they are not fully conversant with. This debate mainly uses ideas that are almost commonly understood by the debaters.

Rules Governing Debates

Since the debate is a strictly monitored process, there are rules in which the discussion should take. For a contest to meet the standard of the discussion, there are some requirements it must achieve. Whereas the debaters are individuals who may have completely contrasting opinions about a subject, there must be a way in which these differences are expressed without any fights being observed. These rules, therefore, help form the basis of valid debate.

Sides

For a debate to exist, there must be two sides to the contrasting opinions present. The members of these sides should be people who are well conversant on the topic and are willing to discuss their views in a civilized manner. Arguably, at the end of a debate, it is always a good sign when members are ready to question their stand on the opinion. Furthermore, it is the goal of the debate that opponents exist together with their rivals in a harmonious manner. Since the subjects being handled may be of such high value to the debaters, there must not always be a consensus at the end of the debate.

The Team Line

The team line is the collective agreement between the presenting groups on how the topic should be viewed. In such, the team line is the stand of the groups when it comes to the motion. The group can either be against, that is negative, or for the idea (affirmative). Once the group has fully identified their stand on a topic, their main goal is to persuade the opponents or the audience that their position is the most appropriate option. Having the team line enables the group to handle the topic without wavering between two opinions effectively. Having the baseline then becomes the main reason why the debate exists.

The Moderator

A moderator is a neutral factor in any debate. He or she does not take any sides and thus is able to judge them fairly. During the discussion, the moderator is tasked with several duties: with the assistance of other executives such as the timekeeper, the moderators run the debate from beginning to end. They initiate the debate through welcoming remarks and describing the nature and dilemma presented by the debate. He or she gives the debaters the subject which they debate on.

Furthermore, the moderators allocate turns between the debaters; this will ensure that the debate goes on most harmoniously. The moderators will settle any conflicts during the debate and have the power to discontinue an individual or a group for any foul behavior. They will also conclude the debate and award the marks for performances during the contest.

Rebuttals

For debate to be useful, there must be an opportunity for a reply. Through rebuttals, debaters are able to present the audience with some concerns and show the weaknesses of their competitors. Rebutting gives the opponents a chance to question where the point presented by the opposite side is worth taking or is feeble. Through criticism, the moderators are channeled into some of the weaknesses of the scores given by a group. Furthermore, through several rebuttals, groups are accessed to determine their understanding of the topic being discussed. When individuals are thrown a criticism, the moderators and the audience are able to perceive if the individual was ready or not. In the debate, the rebuttal should be clearly stated as the questioning of a point given by an opponent and not criticism of the person.

Works Cited