Debate… If you think it is easy, you have no idea.

Debating is a much more formal and structured version of an argument. The structure followed in the UP Debate is that of the World Schools format. This requires two teams, comprising of three to four members, where only three team members are allowed to speak during the debate. Every speaker has their own role and responsibility during their speech. One team is proposition and thus for the motion and one team is opposition meaning that they are against the motion. Each team has four opportunities to provide reasons for their position and to courteously annihilate the opposing team’s arguments.

All of which is judged on three components, style, content and strategy. Content speaks to the strength of the arguments, the quality of the rebuttal and the ability to defeat opposing arguments. Content in essence is the strength of the team’s ability to compel you to support their arguments. Style does refer to the team members dress sense but rather the manner in which the arguments are delivered. For example, the way one uses their voice or gestures. Strategy involves two elements, structure and timing. The concise and efficient use of ones time in combination with clear progression from point to point; within the time constraints.

If this brief explanation of debating as intrigued you even slightly, the annual UP Debate will be taking place in the humanities building from the 23^rd-26^th of April beginning at 18:30 daily.