Debate — Questions, Structure, and Topics

Written by

Daniel Bal

February 13, 2024

Edited by

Courtney Adamo

Fact-checked by

Paul Mazzola

What is a debate?

A debate is a form of public discourse that presents organized arguments by two opposing sides. In a typical debate, two sides (affirmative and negative) are given a proposition to debate using a structured format that differs based on the type.

The affirmative side advocates for the proposition, providing supporting evidence and explanation, while the opposing side refutes the resolution. Therefore, the affirmative wants to convince the audience to adopt the resolution, while the opposition side wants them to reject it.

The audience varies depending on the topic of the debate. Consider the following examples:

• Political: Voters

• Policy: Lawmakers

• Trial: Jury

• Public Debate/Forum: Community members

Debate questions

The basis of a debate stems from the resolution, a declarative statement determined by a question. The resolution contains the claim the two sides will debate. These statements derive from debate questions:

Structure for debate

The specific structure depends on the form of debate. However, every formal debate contains a judge, opposing sides, speeches, and a decision.

Debates are set up to persuade a panel of judges rather than the opponent.

There are always two sides in a debate – one that agrees with the resolution (affirming) and one that disagrees (opposing).

Each debate includes rounds of speeches that present the side’s argument. The placement of the speech in the debate impacts its purpose.

• The constructive speech is each team’s first speech to build their case.

• Rebuttals provide the opportunity for both sides to discredit their opponent’s argument.

• Cross-examination allows each side to question the other side.

• The period where speakers from both sides can ask and answer each other’s questions is called crossfire. The grand crossfire functions in the same way, except all four speakers participate.

• Closing statements offer each side a final opportunity to present their argument.

Upon conclusion of the debate, the judge(s) or moderator decides the winning side.

Types of debates

Team policy, Lincoln-Douglas, spontaneous argumentation, public forum, and parliamentary are the most common types of debates.

Team policy debates consist of two teams of two who take a position concerning a predetermined policy. One team argues to enact the policy while the opposing team members offer reasons to reject it.

Policy debates are structured as follows:

Lincoln-Douglas debates consist of one speaker debating against another speaker and are a common form of high school debates. The topic typically concerns social and philosophical issues with questions concerning ideas such as morality, justice, democracy, etc. They focus on determining if certain thoughts or actions are good or bad, right or wrong, and moral or immoral. Presidential debates typically look most like Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Spontaneous argumentation (SPAR) is a quick and simple type of debate. It typically involves two debaters given a topic right before the debate, allowing only a few minutes for preparation.

Public forum debates feature two teams with two speakers each who debate a topic regarding a current event.

A parliamentary debate includes two teams with two speakers each. The affirmative team is often referred to as the government and is trying to uphold the resolution, whereas the negative team (the opposition) opposes the government’s viewpoint. The government identifies a problem and offers a solution, while the opposition argues against that solution. The rules for this type of debate originated from British parliamentary procedure.

Debating tips

When debating, the following strategies can positively affect the outcome:

• While some debate formats allow for a limited amount of preparation time, utilize the time provided. It is best to take as much time as possible to formulate an argument. Going into a debate unprepared not only impacts the argument but can negatively influence body language, eye contact, volume, pacing, etc.

• Focus and stay on topic. Make sure each sentence has a purpose and supports the argument.

• Use good public speaking skills like appropriate eye contact, volume, pacing, intonation, inflection, posture, etc., which show the speaker’s confidence. Sometimes the presentation can be as important as what is presented.

• Debates provide speakers with the opportunity to respond to their opponent’s argument. Focus on actively listening to the opposing side. While it is possible to predict their argument, providing a direct response to something they said is much more persuasive than moving forward as if there is no opposing side.

• The point of a debate is to attack the argument, not the opponent.

Debate topics

The following are example topics for each main type of debate:

Team Policy Debate

• The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of its water resources.

• The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.

• New York should offer universal healthcare to its residents.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

• In a democracy, a free press ought to prioritize objectivity over advocacy.

• Radicalism is preferable to incrementalism to achieve social justice.

• Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.

• The actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals.

Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR)

• Lying is sometimes justified.

• High schools should require uniforms.

• Voting is a duty and not a right.

• The pen is mightier than the sword.

• Money can buy happiness.

Public Forum Debate

• Japan should revise Article 9 of its Constitution to develop offensive military capabilities.

• The United States should establish a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan.

Parliamentary Debate

• In the US criminal justice system, truth-seeking ought to be valued above attorney-client privilege.

• Chain stores are detrimental to the best interests of the American public.

• The United States Senate should eliminate the filibuster.