Mastering the Art of Debating

Introduction:

As ironical as it might sound, a debate could be one of the highly collaborative ways of learning through introspection and gaining, quite often, contradictory perspectives. Though there have been various famous debates on topics of popular interest over several decades on varying platforms – from college lecture halls to novel plots, and from in-depth research papers intended to debunk largely prevalent notions to contemporary live broadcast discussions over radio and television, predominantly hosted by news channels. Debates have also been the founding structure for idea generation and policy formation for democratic nations for over two millennia.

However, lately though, debate has become less popular form of constructive idea generation process, mainly owing to the fact that it tests the overly sensitive nature of human character, namely, challenging one’s own long-held beliefs and notions. This, coupled with the fear of losing reputation or credibility to one’s own prior or subsequent research findings if debunked or defeated, makes debates less popular option amongst majority of the ‘neo-intellectuals’. These neo-intellectuals, instead, thrive by restricting their seminars and presentations limited to only such audiences who tend to agree or ‘fall-in-line’ as per their ideologies or notions. A constructive debate would rather help such neo-intellectuals to further analyse their long-held notions, prejudices or even misconceptions, and gives them a chance to rather seek for the truth, rather than being confined merely to ‘Yay sayers’ all the time. One of the primary reasons for debates being so unpopular amongst the neo-intellectuals could be the lack of understanding or awareness of the format and structure of debate. Other common reason being the fact debates stirred up unnecessary conflicts and encouraged ‘groupism’ in college or university campuses in the past. However, with appropriate debate format, and with decorum being maintained, a structured debate could well be a highly productive tool for collaborative learning.

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Format of Debate:

??????????? There are various formats that have been introduced at various points in time, right from the origin back in the days of Ancient Greece or Ancient India. Over the years, debating formats underwent a lot of changes. For the purpose of this article, I have considered one of the contemporary formats of debates.? One of the most widely prevalent debating formats is as mentioned below:

1.?????? Opening Statements

2.???? Refutation

3.????? Closing Remarks

4.???? Questions from Audience

5.???? Judges’ Comments

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Opening Statements:

??????????? Every debate needs a topic, normally known as ‘Debate Proposition’, or ‘Motion of the Debate’. There are two sides participating in a debate, with each side representing their views, opinions, research findings and contentions (put together, these are known as ‘submissions’) either ‘for’ or ‘against’ the motion or proposition.

??????????? In the first segment of the debate, the participants of either sides are assigned with a limited time to submit their respective contentions and justifications for their stand ‘for’ or ‘against’ the motion of the debate. In this segment a clear stand is verbally expressed by the debaters and then a series of facts, figures, data, and research findings are presented, along with real-life examples wherever possible. This elucidation is uninterrupted and at the discretion of the debaters. This is an important segment, as it helps set the tone of the debate, helps the audience and judges to gauge the depth of analysis or supporting justifications included and also because this is the segment based on which the countering arguments would be framed by the opposing team of debaters.

??????????? Ideally, the debaters in this segment should present strong arguments in favour of their justifications, instead of countering the opposition, irrespective of the team they belong to – ‘for’ or ‘against’. They could use the ‘defensive’ approach, which is to say that arguments and submissions that defend their stance or position on the motion of the debate should be strongly emphasized.

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Refutations:

??????????? After the initial submissions from both the sides are presented in the opening segment of the debate, each of the debaters get the opportunity to counter the arguments so submitted. It involves either an open ‘head-to-head’ discussion, or a brief time limit provided for either sides, this time, starting with the ‘against’ team, to lead the arguments or presentation of submissions. The role of the moderator is pivotal in this segment of the entire debate, as the discussion could burst out into a full-blown altercation, if not contained or moderated tactfully.

Ironically, this is also the most important segment of debate as it provides either sides to understand alternative or even countering perspectives to the justifications they had provided in the opening statements. It encourages critical thinking, tests emotional intelligence in a very aggressive setting and enables for the debaters to understand the possible scope for improvements in the approaches or methods using which their contentions or justifications were arrived at.

In this segment, the debaters need to use ‘attacking’ approach, which is to say that each side should counter the assertions and justifications of opposition, as boldly and as comprehensively as possible. However, the debaters should restrain from making insinuating comments, refrain from making personal attacks and avoid bringing down the decorum of the discussion, for which audience and judges have zero tolerance for such unacceptable demeanours.?

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Closing Remarks:

??????????? The concluding remarks from the participants in both the sides of the debate need to be presented in this final segment. This segment could well make or break the quantum of overall arguments, justifications and submissions made in earlier segments. Hence, a meticulous focus could be placed on the quantum of merit for the justification provided – both, in support of their justification and the counter arguments aimed at debunking the opposition.

The presentation needs to be comprehensive and flawless in accuracy relating to facts and figures included. Then, a summation of the argument needs o be provided in a way that it presents theoretical or practical extremities of the alternative choices contained in the motion of the debate. This could help in ending the summation on a bold, and emphatic note. It is also important to avoid refuting or discarding literally every assertion made by the opposition. There will surely be a few ‘minor’ points that one could agree upon and that needs to be expressed. But the refutations on larger assertions need to be upheld, else, the debaters are at risk of ‘shifting sides’ in the debate.

??????????? Lastly, the overall submission in the final segment could provide a solution or recommendations for change in approach or position that would help resolve the underlying issue. It is quintessential to end on a note that is appealing to the audience more on an emotional note, however, that has logical implications as well.

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Audience Questions:

??????????? A good debate platform encourages the audience to raise questions or opine on the motion of the debate by sharing their viewpoints. The questions are normally directed to the panellists (debaters) based on the assertions, arguments, justifications and refutations submitted so far. It helps in bringing in the ‘third eye-view’ perspective to a debate, when audience questions or interactions are also encouraged. However, the lack of brevity in their statements or queries would be in contention in most of the debates. Hence, the moderator needs to be very careful to ensure that the audience questions do not consume excessive time.

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Judges’ Comments:

??????????? After listening to all the submissions, refutations and the impromptu responses to audience questions, the judges make their decisions as to which of the two sides, ‘for’ or ‘against’, has made better presentation of their submissions. Some of the parameters for judging could include:

a.???? Quantum of merit for the justifications provided

b.???? Decorum maintained during the entire course of the debate

c.????? Research citations (if any), facts and figures, overall justifications provided

d.???? Right balance of attack and defence used during refutations

e.???? Overall structure of presentations and submissions

f.?????? Clarity and brevity in the choice of words

g.???? Use of other tactics like appreciation for opposition for a strong argument; on the contrary, frowning, name-calling or use of other derogatory communication

h.???? Language skills, including vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy

i.?????? The structure of closing remarks

j.?????? Overall summation and providing an emphatic closure to the submissions

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The Art of Debate:

There could be number of ways to conduct the debates. But the most constructive way of participating, indulging in or conducting a debate is by following certain tenets of decorum that help in mutual respect and enable collaboration. Some of these tenets could be summarised as below:

a.???? Take Side Based on Strong Intuition: Firstly, once the motion of the debate is finalised, the debater needs to pick one side of the debate, based on his/her intuitions or ‘gut feeling’ about the topic of the debate. This helps the debaters to put their mouth where their heart is. This is a small, but a very important aspect to be considered even before nominating oneself for a debate

b.???? Prepare Tirelessly and Flawlessly: After the stance in the debate has been firmly decided, the debater needs to put as much efforts as possible in collating related research material, published papers, studies and findings from research, facts and figures from credible sources, real-life incidents, anecdotes and quotes, and any other material that matters and adds value to the overall justifications intended to be made by the debater

c.????? Be Respectful Before Demanding Respect: It is crucial for the members of the either side of debate to be mutually respectful, and their focus is purely on the subject matter of discussion and their submissions

d.???? Avoid Personal Attacks: Aspects like gender, occupational identities, family background and any other personally identifiable traits of the opponent, should not be ‘attacked’ or brought into contention, as part of the submission while debating

e.???? Assertions Based on Research: All assertions should be made based on available facts, figures, data, anecdotes and real-life examples, that would be firmly attributed to a definite source, if fact-checked by the judges or opponents. In case of opinions being made, or conclusions being drawn from available research findings and facts or figures, such opinions should be specifically mentioned as the debaters’ own opinions, wherever possible

f.?????? Focus on Subject Matter of Debate: The debaters should put their focus and intellectual abilities on arriving at justifications and conclusions based on the subject matter of the motion of the debate. This helps in avoiding unhealthy altercations with the opposition

g.???? Adopt an Approach or Strategy During Preparation: A strong, well-planned strategy, and an approach to mitigate this strategy during the debate, should be envisioned and adopted proactively, preferably during the preparation for debate. Again, care should be taken to ensure not to be overly aggressive while using ‘attack’ strategies and avoid being overly submissive while countering the opposition. A right balance needs to be arrived at while putting attack-defence strategies into play, while also ensuring that decorum is maintained. For example, the right choice of words in refutations could be received as ‘welcoming’ counter arguments by the audience and judges when words or phrases like – “I respectfully disagree that…” or “Although I agree with…, I fear it could further lead to… which could be counter-productive…” are used

h.???? Raise a Protest, if Personally Attacked: On the contrary, if personally attacked during the debate, raise a formal protest with the judges and the moderator, without countering or indulging in a ‘pissing contest’ or a ‘smack talk’. Do not let your guard down, whatsoever and return to the subject matter of the debate, while ignoring to respond to personal attacks, after placing the protest. Alternatively, a protest could also be placed subsequent to the conclusion of the debate

i.?????? Critical Thinking: A debater needs to understand and practice critical thinking, as a norm. It helps in looking at the motion of the debate from varying angles and perspectives. It further helps in formulating possible counter arguments and formulate refutations accordingly

j.?????? Emotional Intelligence: A debater should empower himself/herself with the highest degree of emotional intelligence, to ensure that the debater is in total self-control, not being carried away in the heat of the argument, especially while presenting refutations. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is a well-researched book on the topic

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Conclusion:

Debates are a unique way of learning, even in today’s world of virtual interactions, video conferences and webinars. Debates foster human interaction to a whole new level, where both the sides of the debate find themselves challenged on their long-held notions, and reveal misconceptions, if any. As already mentioned, it is the foundation based on which almost all modern democratic public and private institutions and governments of democratic nations have been built.

As long as democratic structure of governance prevails and the free speech with decorum is upheld, academic institutions, government institutions and other private organisations would continue to foster this format of learning, which even develops skillsets like critical thinking and emotional intelligence, if not already acquired.

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(The author is winner of Best Speaker in a formal debate held at a Toastmasters International meeting, October 2024)

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Raman R Patil

Bengaluru