In this article we will discuss basic meaning to what debates are and what they represent in different scenarios, and how we use debates to persuade our opinions into others.

The concept of Debate

A debate represents a formal contest in a which the affirmative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.

Debates are a common thing nowadays among us (family, school, work, etc.)

An informal debate between two or more people can occur at any given time, when different opinions towards an issue present themselves. Friends or co-workers can debate on a subject often, without coming to clear conclusion. Today debates are a big part of the development of a society. Debates take place in legislative houses, in universities and high schools; different problems are discussed in newspapers and magazines, on radio and TV. People discuss about the subjects which can make an impact in society and could contribute at law development or state policy. So, formal debates are used to develop abilities in finding solutions.

A formal debate is an interactive and educational activity which has a clear structure with rational rules. It has a group of judges who decide who the winner is. An educational debate differs from a society debate, first of all, by the fact that participants must come into an agreement on subject of debate.

The debates organized as a facultative activity for students give an excellent opportunity for communication skills development. They help and prepare the new generation to express themselves clear and logic and also, to have a social attitude and a conscious politics.

So there are two teams: one – affirmative and the other one- negative. The affirmative must agree a following (ex. “The sexual revolution created more problems than it solved”), while the negative one must disagree and bring arguments, which will prove that there’s no reason for adopting the following. Sometimes, the subject of a debate can’t coincide with their point of view. Debates are not just a free way of expressing, they are a form of persuasion.

The participants of debates hope to change the way of thinking of the interlocutor. After a problem debate it can’t reach an immediate unanimity.

Sometimes it needs time for reaching a consensus and understanding of what is good and what is bad. Because of formal debate participants have the possibility to analyze the subjects of the discussion.

Ability to sustain both sides of a problem will help you in future conversations, concourses or competitions when you want to have a public speech etc…

There are many advantages in formal debates participating as educational activity: to develop communication skills, to have discourse structure abilities and self-confidence.

Everybody wants to win. By using the power of the word, we must learn to solve in a peaceful way dilemmas and conflicts.

This way, debates are a way of convincing which may contribute at understanding and solving some urgent issues. They allow finding ways of compromise and clarifying conflicts. Debates contribute to society consolidation.