Editing Debate (section)

== Competitive debating ==
{{anchor|Competitive debate|reason=This is probably a better title for the section, and more likely what people will guess at.}}
<!--'Styles' because, well, it is a list of styles with a lead section.-->
[[File:VIII. Internationales Finale Warschau.JPG|thumb|Finalists in the German-language [[Jugend debattiert international]] debating contest]]
In '''competitive debates''', teams compete against each other and are judged the winner by a list of criteria that is usually based around the concepts of "content, style, and strategy".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cus.org/members/debating/what-debating |title=What Is Debating? |publisher=Cambridge Union Society |access-date=2015-08-20 |quote=Typically, judges decide how persuasive debaters have been through three key criteria: Content: What we say and the arguments and examples we use. Style: How we say it and the language and voice we use. Strategy: How well we engage with the topic, respond to other people's arguments, and structure what we say. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814220549/https://cus.org/members/debating/what-debating |archive-date=2015-08-14 }}</ref> There are numerous styles of competitive debating, organizations, and rules, and competitive debates are held across the world at all levels.<ref>{{cite web |date=2010-09-29 |title=Inter-college debate contest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Inter-college-debate-contest/articleshow/6646692.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106122351/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-29/patna/28222218_1_renewable-energy-fight-climate-pwc |archive-date=2012-11-06 |access-date=2011-12-10 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

Competitive debating is often most commonly found in [[secondary school]]s and institutions of higher education, [[Competitive debate in the United States|especially in the United States]], where competitive debating is often known as ''forensics'' or ''speech and debate''. Many countries often also hold tournaments in competitive debates between different schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Tournament 2023 |url=https://www.speechanddebate.org/national-tournament-2023/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=National Speech & Debate Association |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FDA |url=http://www.frenchdebatingassociation.fr/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=FDA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our competitions |url=https://www.schoolsdebate.de/index.php/about-us/our-competitions |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.schoolsdebate.de |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-21 |title=2023 – 2017 NSDA China |url=https://asiandebateleague.com/2017-nsda-china-tournaments/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Asian Debate League |language=en-AU}}</ref>

=== Australasia debating ===
{{Main|Australia-Asia debate}}
The Australasian style of debate consists of two teams of three people, debating a topic. The topic is presented in the form of an affirmative statement beginning with "That" or "This House", for example, "That cats are better than dogs", or "This House should raise taxes". Most topics are usually specific to local Australian regions to facilitate participant and audience interest.<ref>Ray D'Cruz, "The Australia-Asia Debating Guide" 2nd edition, (February 2003)</ref>

Each of the six speakers (three affirmative and three negative) speak in succession to each other, beginning with the Affirmative Team. The speaking order is as follows: First Affirmative, First Negative, Second Affirmative, Second Negative, Third Affirmative, and finally Third Negative.<ref name="Speaker Roles">{{cite web |url=http://www.dav.com.au/resources/itd_speaker_roles.php |title=Debaters Association of Victoria – Introduction to debating – Speaker roles |publisher=Debating Association of Victoria |access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> The debate is finished with a closing argument by the last speaker from each team. "Points of Information" (an interrupting question), more commonly known as "POIs", are used in Australian and New Zealand Secondary School level debating.

The context in which the Australasia style of debate is used varies, but in Australia and New Zealand, it is mostly used at the Primary and Secondary school level.<ref>{{cite web |title=School Debating |url=http://www.dav.com.au/schools/ |website=www.dav.com.au|publisher=Debating Association of Victoria |access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>

=== European square debating ===
European square debating has a Paris-style inspired format with four teams. France, the United Kingdom, and Germany are always represented, in addition to one other major European nation (for example, Russia). These "Nations" then confront each other in a policy debate on European issues, as parts of two broad coalitions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fb-connections.org/gallery/201204-square-debate-on-european-energy-supply/ |title=2012/04 Square Debate on European Energy Supply |work=fb-connections.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813225923/http://www.fb-connections.org/gallery/201204-square-debate-on-european-energy-supply/ |archive-date=2014-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fb-connections.org/gallery/201104-square-debate-on-european-defence/ |title=2011/04 Square Debate on European Defence |work=fb-connections.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813231649/http://www.fb-connections.org/gallery/201104-square-debate-on-european-defence/ |archive-date=2014-08-13}}</ref> Each team is composed of two speakers (the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary). The debate starts with the first speaker from France, followed by the first speaker of Germany (the opposite side), followed by the second speaker of France, and the second speaker of Germany. The debate continues with the first speaker of the United Kingdom, followed by the first speaker of Russia, and it goes on with the respective second speakers. Each debater speaks for 5 minutes. The first and the last minutes are protected time: no Points of Information may be asked. During the rest of the speech, the speaker may be interrupted by Points of Information (POIs) from the opposite countries (debaters from France and the UK may ask POIs from debaters representing Germany and Russia, and vice versa, respectively). The format forces each debater to develop a winning strategy while respecting the coalition. This format was commonly developed by the Franco-British Comparative Project<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fb-connections.org/debating/ |title=Comparative Project |work=fb-connections.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020135645/http://www.fb-connections.org/debating/ |archive-date=2014-10-20}}</ref> and Declan McCavanna, Chairman of the FDA <ref name="FDA's Web Page" /> and featured France, the UK, Germany, Russia and Italy.

=== Impromptu debating ===
{{Main|Impromptu debate}}
Impromptu debating is a relatively informal style of debating when compared to other highly structured formats of debate. The topic for the debate is given to the participants between fifteen and twenty minutes before the debate starts. The debate format is relatively simple; each team member of each side speaks for five minutes, alternating sides. A ten-minute discussion period, similar to other formats' "open cross-examination" time follows, and then a five-minute break (comparable to other formats' preparation time). Following the break, each team gives a 4-minute rebuttal.<ref name="speechanddebate.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.speechanddebate.org/competition-events/|title=national-forensic-journal – National Forensic Association|work=speechanddebate.org|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref>

Impromptu debate is often considered to be more akin to Public Speaking since speeches can be anywhere between stand-up routines, to the reputations of nations, depending on the topic given to the contestants. Contestants will be given a list of abstract topics when the event begins and will create a speech on their chosen topic.<ref name="speechanddebate.org"/>
<!-- Editor's note: This format seems to be an oddball, similar to a comedic debate. If anyone knows more about it, please expand and correct this section! -->

=== Lincoln–Douglas debating ===
{{Main|Lincoln–Douglas debate format}}
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2024}}
Lincoln-Douglas debating is primarily a form of [[United States]] high school debate (though there is a collegiate Lincoln-Douglas debate) and is named after the 1858 [[Lincoln-Douglas debates]]. It is a one-on-one event that applies philosophical theories to real-world issues. The debaters normally alternate sides from round to round as either the "affirmative", which upholds the resolution, or the "negative", which attacks it. The resolution, which changes bimonthly, generally asks whether a certain policy or action conforms to a specific value. National Forensic Association Lincoln-Douglas debate (NFA-LD), the collegiate Lincoln-Douglas debate, uses one resolution per academic year, and is a one-on-one form of policy debate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-10 |title=Competition |url=https://nationalforensicassociation.org/competition/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=National Forensic Association |language=en}}</ref>

Though established as an alternative to policy debate, there has been a strong movement to embrace certain techniques that originated in policy debate. Traditional LD debate attempts to be free of policy debate "jargon". Lincoln-Douglas speeches can range in speed from a conversational pace to well over 300 words per minute. This technique of fast-talking is often called [[Spreading (debate)|spreading]] and is also prevalent in policy debates.

=== Mace debating ===
The Mace debating style is prominent in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and [[Ireland]] at the school level and is composed of two teams of two people, debating a motion, which one team will propose, and the other will oppose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kings-taunton.co.uk/latest-news-and-events/esu-mace-debate-goes-ahead-via-zoom|title=ESU Mace Debate Goes Ahead Via Zoom|website=King's Hall School|access-date=2021-05-28|archive-date=2021-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518140454/https://www.kings-taunton.co.uk/latest-news-and-events/esu-mace-debate-goes-ahead-via-zoom|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Each speaker will make a seven-minute speech in the order; 1st Proposition, 1st Opposition, 2nd Proposition, 2nd Opposition. After the first minute of each speech, members of the opposing [[team]] may request a '[[Point of information (competitive debate)|point of information]]' (POI). If the speaker accepts, they are permitted to ask a question. POIs are used to attack a speaker on a weak point or to argue against something the speaker said.<ref name="ESU">ESU, "Mace Format", ''English Speaking Union'', no. 1 (2019)</ref> After all four debaters have spoken, the debate will be opened to the [[floor (legislative)|floor]], in which members of the [[audience]] will question the teams. Finally, one speaker from each team will speak for 4 minutes. In these [[:wikt:summary|summary]] speeches, the speaker will answer the questions posed by the floor and opposition, before summarizing their key points. The Mace format of the debate is designed to be beginner-friendly and to prepare students for British [[Parliamentary style debate]] (which it is modeled on).<ref name="ESU"/>

=== Mock trial ===
{{Main|Mock trial}}

=== Model United Nations ===
{{Main|Model United Nations}}

=== Moot court ===
{{Main|Moot court}}

=== Oxford-style debating ===
Derived from the [[Oxford Union]] debating society of [[Oxford University]], Oxford-style debating is a competitive debate format featuring a sharply assigned motion that is proposed by one side and opposed by another.  Oxford-style debates follow a formal structure that begins with audience members casting a pre-debate vote on the motion that is either for, against, or undecided. Each panelist presents a seven-minute opening statement, after which the [[Moderator (debate)|moderator]] takes questions from the audience with inter-panel challenges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxford-union.org/members/rules/formsofthehouse|title=the Oxford Union – Forms of the House in Debate|work=oxford-union.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930231248/http://www.oxford-union.org/members/rules/formsofthehouse|archive-date=2011-09-30}}</ref> Finally, each panelist delivers a two-minute closing argument, and the audience delivers their second (and final) vote for comparison against the first.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegecompass.org/downloads/Debate_Forum_Guide.pdf|title=College Compass|work=collegecompass.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104033707/http://www.collegecompass.org/downloads/Debate_Forum_Guide.pdf|archive-date=2013-11-04}}</ref> A winner is then declared either by the [[majority]] or by which team has swayed more audience members between the two votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=The English-Speaking Union|url=http://www.britishdebate.com/universities/resources/ox_roughguide.asp|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530122048/http://www.britishdebate.com/universities/resources/ox_roughguide.asp|archive-date=2011-05-30|work=britishdebate.com}}</ref>

=== Paris-style debating ===
In Paris debating, two teams of five debate a given motion. One team will attempt to defend the motion while the other team will attack the motion. The debate is judged on the quality of the arguments, the strength of the rhetoric, the charisma of the speaker, the quality of the humor, the ability to think on one's feet, and teamwork. Despite this format being specifically used in France debates are commonly held in English.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

The first speaker of the Proposition (Prime Minister) opens the debate, followed by the first speaker of the Opposition (Shadow Prime Minister), then the second speaker of the Proposition, and so on.

Every speaker speaks for 6 minutes. After the first minute and before the last minute, debaters from the opposite team may ask for Points of Information, which the speaker may accept or reject as he wishes (although they are supposed to accept at least one, and it is recommended they accept two).<ref name="FDA's Paris Debating Web Page">{{cite web|url=https://www.frenchdebatingassociation.fr/debating-rules|title=French Debating Association Debating Rules}}</ref>

The French Debating Association<ref name="FDA's Web Page">{{cite web|url=http://www.frenchdebatingassociation.fr|title=French Debating Association|work=frenchdebatingassociation.fr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402122218/http://www.frenchdebatingassociation.fr/|archive-date=2012-04-02}}</ref> organizes its National Debating Championship in this style.<ref name="FDA's Paris Debating Web Page>{{cite web|url=https://www.frenchdebatingassociation.fr/debating-rules|title=French Debating Association Debating Rules}}</ref>

=== Parliamentary style debating ===
{{Main|Parliamentary style debate}}
Parliamentary debate is conducted under rules originally derived from British [[parliamentary procedure]], though parliamentary debate now has several variations, including American, Brazilian, British, Canadian, and German forms. It features the competition of individuals in a multi-person setting. It borrows terms such as "government" and "opposition" from the British parliament (although the term "proposition" is sometimes used rather than "government" when debating in the United Kingdom).<ref name="Colm Flynn">1997, "Debating Tutorial Handouts", ''UVM'', no. 3 (1997)</ref>

Parliamentary debate is practiced worldwide and many international variations have been created. The premier event in the world of parliamentary debate is the [[World Universities Debating Championship]]. This tournament is conducted in the traditional British Parliamentary style of debate.<ref name="about-wudc">{{cite web|url=http://www.wudc2020.au.edu/index.php/about-wudc-menu/about-wudc|title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about The World Universities Debating Championship 2020|work=WUDC2020|access-date=2021-05-27}}</ref>

=== Policy debating ===
{{Main|Policy Debate}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2015}}
''Policy debate'' is a fast-paced form of debate mostly commonly practiced in the U.S. Policy debate is composed of two teams of two that will advocate for and against a resolution (typically a proposed policy for the United States federal government or an international organization).<ref>{{cite book|last=Bellon|first=Joe|title=The Policy Debate Manual|publisher=Dr. Joe Bellon|year=2008}}</ref> Affirmative teams generally present a proposal to implement a specific modified form of the resolution called a plan. The negative will either try to disprove or undermine this plan or display that the opportunity costs of their opponent's plan are so great that it should not be implemented. Policy Debate is sometimes also referred to as cross-examination debate (shortened to CX) because of the 3-minute questioning periods following each constructive speech.

=== Public debating ===
{{Main|Public debate}}
<!-- Copied from the [[Public debate]] lead, notice on the talk page -->

'''Public debate''' may mean simply debating by the public, or in public. The term is also used for a particular formal style of debate in a competitive or educational context. Two teams of two compete through six rounds of argument, giving persuasive speeches on a particular topic.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.osaa.org/publications/handbook/0708SPEECHHandbook.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011010249/http://www.osaa.org/publications/handbook/0708SPEECHHandbook.pdf|archive-date=2007-10-11|title=2007–2008 Oregon School Activities Association Speech Handbook|work=osaa.org}}</ref>

=== Public forum debating ===
{{Main|Public forum debate}}
"Public forum" debating combines aspects of both [[policy debate]] and [[Lincoln-Douglas debate]] but makes them easily understood by the general public by having shorter speech lengths, an absence of jargon, and longer questioning periods, called "cross-fires," where the debaters interact. This form of debate is also designed to address current affairs, with topics that change monthly and address both U.S. policy and international issues. This form of debate is primarily found within the United States. The core basis of this type of debate is that anyone is eligible to become a judge for the debate, unlike the Policy debate or Lincoln-Douglas debate, which requires more experience in debate to judge.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hannan |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Berkman |first2=Benjamin |last3=Meadows |first3=Chad |date=2012 |title=Introduction to Public Forum and Congressional Debate |url=https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Forum-and-Congressional-Debate-Textbook.pdf}}</ref>

=== Tibetan Buddhist debating ===
This is a traditional [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] form of debating that was influenced by earlier Indian forms.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://asiasociety.org/tibetan-buddhist-debate |title=Tibetan Buddhist Debate |last=Perdue |first=David |date= |website= |publisher=Asia Society |access-date=2021-02-07 |quote="The Tibetan argument forms were brought over with minor adaptations from the Indian logical forms."}}</ref> Largely developed in Tibet, this style includes two individuals, one functioning as the Challenger (questioner) and the other as the Defender (answerer). The debaters must depend on their memorization of the points of doctrine, definitions, illustrations, and even whole text, together with their measure of understanding gained from instruction and study.

Characteristics that uniquely define the Tibetan Buddhist style of debating are ceremonial recitation and symbolic movements and hand gestures by debaters. At the opening of a debate, the standing Challenger claps his hands together and invokes [[Manjushri]], who is the manifestation of the wisdom of all the Buddhas and, as such, is the special deity of debate.<ref name=perdue>Daniel Perdue, The Course in Buddhist Reasoning and Logic: An Asian Approach to Analytical Thinking Drawn from Indian and Tibetan Sources. Snow Lion / Shambhala. (Boston, 2014). See also: https://thubtenchodron.org/2019/02/debate-deity/</ref>

When the Challenger first puts their question to the sitting Defender, their right hand is held above the shoulder at the level of their head, and the left hand is stretched forward with the palm turned upward. At the end of their statement, the Challenger punctuates by loudly clapping together their hands and simultaneously stomping their left foot. They then stylistically drawback their right hand slowly with the palm held upward and, at the same time, hold forth their left hand with the palm turned downward. Holding forth the left hand after clapping symbolizes closing the door to rebirth in [[samsara]]. The drawing back and raising of the right hand symbolizes one's will to raise all sentient beings out of samsara, and cyclic existence, and to establish them in the omniscience of Buddhahood. The left hand represents "[[Wisdom (Buddhism)|Wisdom]]" – the "antidote" to cyclic existence, and the right hand represents "Method" – the altruistic intention to become enlightened for the benefit of all.<ref name=perdue/> The clap represents a union of Method and Wisdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gomang.org/packet_files/debate_notes.pdf |title=Debate in Tibetan Buddhism* |access-date=2015-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081754/http://www.gomang.org/packet_files/debate_notes.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref>

=== Turncoat debating ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2015}}
In this debating style,<ref>{{Cite web |last=IEEE.vTools |title=Turncoat |url=https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/172020 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=[[IEEE]] |language=en}}</ref> the same speaker shifts allegiance between "For" and "Against" the motion. It is a solo contest, unlike other debating forms. Here, the speaker is required to speak for 2 minutes "For the motion", two minutes "Against the motion", and finally draw up a 1-minute conclusion in which the speaker balances the debate. At the end of the fifth minute, the debate will be opened to the house, in which members of the [[audience]] will put questions to the candidate, which they will have to answer. In the Turncoat format, the emphasis is on transitions, the strength of [[argument]], and the balancing of opinions.