Debate or debating is a formal method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion. Though logical consistency, factual accuracy and some degree of emotional appeal to the audience are important elements of the art of persuasion, in debating, one side often prevails over the other side by presenting a superior "context" and/or framework of the issue, which is far more subtle and strategic.

In a formal debating contest, there are rules for people to discuss and decide on differences, within a framework defining how they will interact. Informal debate is a common occurrence, the quality and depth of a debate improves with knowledge and skill of its participants as debaters. Deliberative bodies such as parliaments, legislative assemblies, and meetings of all sorts engage in debates. The outcome of a debate may be decided by audience vote, by judges, or by some combination of the two. Formal debates between candidates for elected office, such as the leaders debates and the U.S. presidential election debates, are common in democracies.

A rule-based competitive debate is often encouraged in high schools and colleges. Often, it takes the form of a contest with explicit rules. It may be presided over by one or more judges. Each side seeks to win, by following the rules, and even by using some rules to break other rules, within limits. Each side is either in favor ("for, 'Affirmative' "), or opposed to ("against, 'Negative' "), a statement (proposition, moot or Resolution) which if adopted would change something with the exception of some high school and college debate where moots may hold no outcome ie. the moot "ignorance is bliss". Some of the rules are broad and must be followed in a general way. For example, those in favor of the proposition are

  • required to show the need for it to be adopted as it is written, and yet are
  • allowed to define the scope of the proposition; i.e. they choose what it will mean if adopted.

To further illustrate the importance of rules, those opposed must destroy these arguments sufficiently to warrant not adopting the proposition, and are not required to propose any alternative solutions.

The major goal of the study of debate as a method or art is to develop one's ability to play from either position with equal ease. To inexperienced debaters, some propositions appear easier to defend or to destroy; to experienced debaters, any proposition can be defended or destroyed after the same amount of preparation time, usually quite short. Lawyers argue forcefully on behalf of their client, even if the facts appear against them. However one large misconception about debate is that it is all about argument; it is not.

Competitive Debate is an organized activity with teams competing at the local, national, and international level. It is popular in English-speaking universities and high schools around the world, most notably in South Africa, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Many different styles of debate occur under a variety of organizations and rules.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Fri Feb 5 21:44:29 2010

What are your opinions of the presidential debates tonight?
Q. ABC hosted Republican and Democratic debates this evening. If you watched them, what were your opinions of the candidates' answers to Charlie Gibson's excellent questions?
Asked by God_Lives_Underwater - Sun Jan 6 02:42:53 2008 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Hillary was the clear loser in this debate. Getting angry when people take shots at you - like in politics - won't convince anyone you're more genuine but it will make it look like you're more desperate. I'd say both Obama and Edwards won just by maintaining their composures. Richardson as usual brought some humor to the party, but he doesn't stand a chance. That little speech Hillary gave on health care and her 35 years of accomplishments - and it was a speech - seemed canned and rehearsed. Again she tried to be the "Change" candidate - but she's the Establishment - and that's a corner she painted herself into and now can't get out of. All the Dems looked a bit tired, but that's understandable given that Iowa had to be a bruiser. As… [cont.]
Answered by Michael M - Sun Jan 6 03:58:42 2008

How many will actually watch the debates?
Q. There has been a lot of chatter on Answers these last two days about the importance of John McCain attending the debates. How many of you will actually WATCH them? I'm looking forward to them. But I know a lot of people who have plenty of political opinions, but have no intention of even switching the debates on tonight.
Asked by Erika Y - Fri Sep 26 12:11:28 2008 - - 24 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Yes, I will watch it. I am looking forward to seeing it.
Answered by Mable - Fri Sep 26 12:19:00 2008

Why does the Presiential debates only feature two candidates?
Q. Every Presidential debate and VP debate, it's always just the republican and democrat in it (except for 1992, when Perot was in it) So why isn't the green, libertarian, and reform ever in the debates with them. If they were they would be heard, known, and then able to at least carry a state if not win. So why arn't they ever in it?
Asked by Kingfish - Thu Oct 30 21:26:22 2008 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Because it is structured in such a way that an alternative party is virtually assured not to get a part. The other parties have to pull a certain percentage of the polling and the strangle hold the two major parties have on the system prevent a third party of getting the money and exposure needed to get that level of polling. Perot did it because he was a multi-millionaire who spent his own money to get the word out. None of the other candidates have that kind of cash on hand. If people really want to change our government, we need to break the cycle of politics between the two major parties. They know they have the system locked down so they only do what they have to do to keep it in the family. Both parties take money from the… [cont.]
Answered by Liberty or Death - Thu Oct 30 21:35:07 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Debates"
Fri Feb 26 04:42:59 2010

Ed Anderson's column 'Tee to Green': The great debate over acceptable attire ... - Enterprise-Record
news.google.com
Ed Anderson's column 'Tee to Green': The great debate over acceptable attire ...

Enterprise-Record

"One of the most heated debates in golf these days is all in the Jeans. Khakis are kosher; even bad plaids are permitted, but when it comes to what to wear ...
TCU, Cincinnati debates full of hot air - ESPN (blog)
news.google.com
TCU, Cincinnati debates full of hot air

ESPN (blog)

Graham Watson and I had a spirited debate about it. Then the Bearcats got steamrolled by Florida, and the Horned Frogs lost 17-10 to Boise State. ...



and more »
Candidates meet to debate in several forums - Chicago Tribune
news.google.com
Candidates meet to debate in several forums

Chicago Tribune

The upcoming week has a busy lineup of debates scheduled for the candidates vying for the two highest offices on the Feb. 2 primary ballot. ...

Debate -watching time again, just like Biden and Palin Chicago Journal

Coming up: Debate season Chicago Current

A chance to do two things well GoDanRiver.com

News 8 Austin

all 22 news articles »

From Google News Search: "Debates"
Tue Jan 26 08:06:18 2010

Alberto Veiga por ARPA
uba.ar
Alberto Veiga por ARPA
400px x 600px | 50.60kB

[source page]

21

mapa jpg
icil.org
mapa jpg
320px x 477px | 27.10kB

[source page]

26 de noviembre de 2009 en el Palacio Municipal de Congresos de Campo de las Naciones Sala Londres Transportes >

debates2 jpg
www2.norwich.edu
debates2 jpg
762px x 1016px | 180.70kB

[source page]

Watching the 2004 Presidential Debates

From Yahoo Image Search: "Debates"
Sat Jan 23 20:44:15 2010

Christianity vs. Islam debates in Ottawa from 2/11/10 through 2/14 ...
winteryknight.wordpress.com
Christianity vs. Islam debates in Ottawa from 2/11/10 through 2/14 ...

Wintery Knight

ue, 09 Feb 2010 18:00:18 GM

The . debates. will be in Marion auditorium in Marion Hall at the University of Ottawa. More information here, but note that Abdul Murray has been replaced by Nabeel Qureshi of Answering Muslims. I don't know who Abdul Murray is, ...

Finland debates retirement age | IceNews - Daily News
icenews.is
Finland debates retirement age | IceNews - Daily News

Erlingur

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:04 GM

The ongoing . debate. on pension talks in Finland continues to stall; with representatives​ from employer-guilds​ and unions unable to reach an agreement over a proposal to extend the statutory retirement age. ...

STEVE LACKNER-CONSERVATIVE NEWS, ISSUES, DEBATES , AND COMMENTARY ...
stevelackner.com
STEVE LACKNER-CONSERVATIVE NEWS, ISSUES, DEBATES , AND COMMENTARY ...

stevelackner

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:46:00 GM

Steve lackner-CONSERV​Ative news, ISSUES, . DEBATES. , and commentary. the sound of sanity in an insane world. conservative news you can trust. Thursday, February 11, 2010. Iranian-America​n Scholar Explains What's Driving Youth To Stand Up ...

From Google Blog Search: "Debates"
Sat Feb 13 02:50:32 2010