Debate competition is an organized argument or contest of ideas in which participants discuss a topic from two opposing sides. It involves structured contests about an issue or a resolution, with one side supporting the resolution and the other opposing it. The aim of a debate is to convince the opposition that ones own position is correct. A formal debate typically involves three groups: one supporting the resolution (affirmative team), one opposing the resolution (opposing team), and those judging the quality of the evidence and arguments. Competitive debate, also known as forensics or speech and debate, has a history in the United States dating back to colonial times and is associated with positive outcomes for competitors, such as developing critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Debate involves an individual or a team of students working to effectively convince a judge that their side of a resolution or topic is more valid. Students in debate come to thoroughly understand both sides of an issue, having researched each extensively, and learn to think critically about every argument that could be made on each side. There are various formats of competitive debating, such as World Schools Debate, Public Forum Debating, and Big Questions Debate, each with its own unique characteristics and rules.
In summary, debate competition is a structured contest where participants discuss a topic from opposing sides, aiming to convince the opposition that their position is correct. It is an intellectually stimulating activity that fosters critical thinking, research skills, and effective communication.
