WhatisDebatingDebate and discussion takes place all around us in society, from informal settings such as within the family or on chat shows, all the way through to formal settings such as national parliaments. Debating builds a unique set of skills, helping stuents to analyze problems, think critically, synthesise arguments and present these ideas in a cogent and convincing manner.

Competitive debating uses the skills of argument to debate and discuss important issues about our beliefs, government policies and proposals on how to improve the world or face up to problems in society.

A competitive debate should be rational, focussed, and structured, and these are the skills which debating teaches you.

Competitive debates usually take place between two teams of students, with one team (the Proposition or Government), arguing for a topic or motion (ie. This House Would Abolish the Death Penalty), and another team (the Opposition) arguing against that motion.

Debates take place in a number of different formats, varying speaking time, number of speakers and many other factors, and can be judged by a panel of judges (competitive debate) or by an audience (show debate).