What is Debate? with broad explanation | Study notes English Literature

What is Debating?

Debating is a structured contest of argumentation in which two opposing individuals

or teams defend and attack a given proposition. The procedure is bound by rules that

vary based on location and participants. The process is adjudicated and a winner is

declared. Debating is a foundational aspect of a democratic society and thus reflects

the values of Canadians.

Debate can be used in any classroom. It can be as detailed and formal as the Lincoln-

Douglass structure used by debate teams, or as simple and informal as pairing students to

research and discuss the pros and cons of an issue. As students identify, research, and

argue about complex ideas, they hone their skills in critical thinking, organization,

persuasion, public speaking, research, and teamwork. If the issue they debate is

something that is important to their families, their communities, or themselves -- as it is

in Laura Alvarez's classroom -- debate can also be a powerful way for students to effect

change.

What is its purpose?

The intent of the strategy is to engage learners in a combination of activities that cause

them to interact with the curriculum. Debate forces the participants to consider not only

the facts of a situation but the implications as well. Participants think critically and

strategically about both their own and their opponent's position. The competitive aspects

encourage engagement and a commitment to a position.

Debates require students to engage in research, encourage the development of listening

and oratory skills, create an environment where students must think critically, and

provide a method for teachers to assess the quality of learning of the students. Debates

also provide an opportunity for peer involvement in evaluation.

Debating as an activity is most effectively used in grades from middle years on up.

DEBATE AS CRITICAL ADVOCACY

Debate is "critical advocacy." It is advocacy in that the debater must advocate, propose,

and defend ideas. It is critical because the debater must not ignore the advocacy of others,

but must engage them and use the tools of critical thinking to evaluate the ideas of others.

This process of critical advocacy has been shown to involve the students in important

behaviors and skills which we should cultivate in our citizens.

oStudents will research about the issues of the topic they are debating, learn

about them, think about what they will propose, what they stand for, and

they must research and learn about the arguments of their opponents,

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What is Debating? Debating is a structured contest of argumentation in which two opposing individuals or teams defend and attack a given proposition. The procedure is bound by rules that vary based on location and participants. The process is adjudicated and a winner is declared. Debating is a foundational aspect of a democratic society and thus reflects the values of Canadians. Debate can be used in any classroom. It can be as detailed and formal as the Lincoln- Douglass structure used by debate teams, or as simple and informal as pairing students to research and discuss the pros and cons of an issue. As students identify, research, and argue about complex ideas, they hone their skills in critical thinking, organization, persuasion, public speaking, research, and teamwork. If the issue they debate is something that is important to their families, their communities, or themselves -- as it is in Laura Alvarez's classroom -- debate can also be a powerful way for students to effect change. What is its purpose? The intent of the strategy is to engage learners in a combination of activities that cause them to interact with the curriculum. Debate forces the participants to consider not only the facts of a situation but the implications as well. Participants think critically and strategically about both their own and their opponent's position. The competitive aspects encourage engagement and a commitment to a position. Debates require students to engage in research, encourage the development of listening and oratory skills, create an environment where students must think critically, and provide a method for teachers to assess the quality of learning of the students. Debates also provide an opportunity for peer involvement in evaluation. Debating as an activity is most effectively used in grades from middle years on up. DEBATE AS CRITICAL ADVOCACY Debate is "critical advocacy." It is advocacy in that the debater must advocate, propose, and defend ideas. It is critical because the debater must not ignore the advocacy of others, but must engage them and use the tools of critical thinking to evaluate the ideas of others. This process of critical advocacy has been shown to involve the students in important behaviors and skills which we should cultivate in our citizens. o Students will research about the issues of the topic they are debating, learn about them, think about what they will propose, what they stand for, and they must research and learn about the arguments of their opponents,

o Students will communicate and advocate. They will take their ideas and express them to others, in public, for all to see and hear. A good debater must be a good speaker and know how to reach an audience. o Students will listen to what others have to say, and listen with understanding, not just dismiss disagreement. They must understand the arguments of their opponents in order to properly answer those arguments. o Students will respond to the conflicting ideas of others, not in an attack mode, but in a mode of truth seeking to try and persuade the judges to give them the ballot. o Students will learn how others make decisions. Judges will give decisions, but the students learn that each of us must judge. We must always, in debate and in life, vote for the best argument and best idea, not just for our argument and our idea. Debate as a critical skill is more important now because we live in an age of information, where information is power, and debate is all about how to turn information into power. o Debaters learn to look at information and separate out the good from the bad, the relevant from the irrelevant. o Debaters learn how to get information, organize it, and organize it for a purpose. What good is information if it drowns you? It is only useful when you can harness it to a purpose. BENEFITS FROM DEBATE INVOLVEMENT Debaters have been proven to become leaders and successful professionals. Countless American corporate executives, influential lawyers, wealthy entrepreneurs and elected officials credit their debate experience in school with making them successful. The anecdotal evidence is overwhelming and suggests some of the following benefits. o Debaters become better critical thinkers and communicators. People begin to see them in a different way. o Debaters improve their social interactions. Debaters are not argumentative with their family and friends, but oddly enough, more understanding. o Debaters improve their personal expression. There seems to be something in us as human beings which wants to express ourselves. Their voices are heard. o Debaters are more often seen as leaders. Studies in America show that those who communicate often and well, and give a balance of positive and negative comments, are seen as leaders. Leadership is given, not taken. Debaters are more likely to be given leadership. o Debaters tend to become citizens in the real sense of the word -- informed, active, participating, a force to be harnessed for the betterment of all.

What is Debate? with broad explanation, Study notes of English Literature

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