Definition of Debate, Purpose, Characteristics, Benefits, Types, and Elements

Educate. Co. ID – On this occasion we will discuss the Debate, an explanation of this Debate will be described in full below:

Definition of Debate

In general, the definition of debate is an activity or activity of arguing between two parties or it can also be more, either individually or as a group.

Another opinion also says that the definition of this debate is a form of communication by competing with each other argumentation in conveying ideas logically as well as supporting evidence from each debate.

This debate has the aim of being able to discuss or decide on problems and differences on something. In a formal scope, this debate can be carried out in legislative institutions such as parliament, especially in countries that use an opposition system.

This debate is carried out with clear rules so that the results of the debate can be produced through voting or also through the decisions of the jury. Simply put, this debate is a discussion or also an exchange of opinions on a matter and giving each other reasons to be able to defend their respective opinions.

Definition of Debate According to Experts

In order to better understand what debate is, we can refer to the opinions of several experts, including the following:

1. According to Henry Guntur Tarigan (1984)

The definition of this debate is an activity of inter-personal argumentation or also between human groups to determine whether or not a particular proposal is supported by one party (supporter) and denied by another party (denial).

2. According to Asidi Dipodjojo

Understanding this debate is an oral communication process expressed in language to be able to defend opinions. Each disputing party states the arguments and reasons, in a certain way so that the other party is on his side.

3.According to G. Sukadi

The definition of this debate is an activity or activity of arguing between individuals or between groups of people with the aim of achieving victory.

4. According to P. Dori Wuwur Hendrikus (1991)

Understanding this debate is a mutual argument between individuals or also between groups of people with the aim of achieving victory for one party.

5. According to J. S. Kamdhi (1995),

The definition of this debate is a discussion or exchange of opinions on a subject matter in which each participant gives reasons to be able to defend his opinion.

Debate Characteristics

Communication in this form of debate can be identified by its characteristics. The characteristics of the debate include the following:

• There are 2 (two) opinions or also different points of view, namely affirmative or also parties who agree with the topic of the debate negatively or also parties who disagree.
• There is a process of mutually defending an opinion between each party who argues.
• There was a process of argumentation in defending the opinion of each party.
• There is a question-and-answer session using a limited time where the aim is to bring down the opponents of the debate.
• There is an intermediary, namely the debate moderator.
• The results of this debate are obtained through a jury decision or voting.

Purpose and Benefits of Debate

This debate activity is carried out not without purpose, of course there are things that all parties want to achieve. Some of the objectives and benefits of holding the debate are as follows:

1. Exercise courage or mentality in expressing opinions in public
2. Train to be able to break the opinion of the opponent's debate
3. Helping to improve the ability to respond to a disputed problem
4. Train yourself to be critical of each material being debated
5. Strengthen understanding of a contentious material

Elements of Debate

In debate activities or activities there are several important elements that complement each other. Referring to the definition of debate, below are the elements of the debate including the following:

1. Debate Material, this is the main topic that will be discussed in debate activities or activities. Some of the topics included in the debate material/themes are as follows:

1. The theme is the main idea that becomes the debate motion.
2. The purpose is to defend the opinion or argument of each party arguing.
3. Stages, these are matters related to debate activities or activities (orientation, gathering facts, discussions, and conclusions).
4. Rules of Conduct, these are the rules set out in debate activities or activities.

2. Debate Personnel, these are all parties involved in debate activities or activities. Some of the personnel included are as follows:

1. The committee, this is the organizer of debate activities or activities consisting of the chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer.
2. Moderator, this is the party that regulates the ongoing process of debate activities or activities.
3. Supporting Party, this is the party that supports the debate motion.
4. Objectors, these are parties who do not agree with the supporting parties.
5. The jury, these are the people who judge the process of running the activity or debate activity.
6. The public, these are people who follow the course of activities or debate activities.
7. Fund Provider, this is the party that provides funds so that debate activities or activities are carried out.
8. Minutes, this is the party in charge of recording all matters relating to the debate. For example, the debate motion, the statement of the moderator and the debating party, and also the final decision.

3. Debate Facilities, these are all the equipment and tools needed so that the process of debating activities or activities can run well. Some of the things it includes are as follows:

1. Environment
2. Debate Room
3. Sound System
4. Media (Projector/OHP, facilities and infrastructure)

Debate Structure

How can a debate be said to be good? Referring to the definition of the debate above, a debate is said to be good if it meets the following structure:

1. Introduction; In this structure, each team will introduce themselves, either the affirmation team, the opposition team or the Neutral team.
2. Submission of Arguments: each team will present an argument against a certain predetermined topic starting from the affirmation team, then the opposition team and finally the Neutral team.
3. Debate: For this structure, each team will comment on each other's arguments.
4. Conclusion: each team will provide a closing statement on the topic statement that is in accordance with its position in the debate team.
5. Decision Making (votes, resolutions, motions and more): There are three types of decisions taken from the debate process, namely decisions from the jury, decisions from listeners, and decisions with criticism.

Types of Debate

Some of the experts said that this debate activity or activity can be divided into several types. According to Henry Guntur Tarigan, there are three types of public debates that are carried out, which are distinguished by three types as follows:

1. Parliamentary Debate (Assembly or Parliamentary Debating)

This debate has the aim of being able to provide or add support for a particular law and any Member who want to express their views or opinions can speak or also oppose the proposal after obtaining permission from assembly.

2. Cross-examination debating

This type aims to be able to ask several questions that are related to each other, so that it will causes each individual who is asked the question to support the position that will be upheld and strengthened by the pen.

3. Formal, Conventional / Educational Debate (Formal, Conventional, or Educatttional Debating)

For this third type of debate, the aim is to be able to provide opportunities for both teams speaker to reveal to the audience several arguments that refute or also support a proposal. In this debate, each party is given the same time for speakers, construction speakers and rebuttals.

This debate is not like the debates held during the debate in parliament because it has the aim of getting produce decisions that are more geared towards developing abilities among participants debate. The ability referred to here is like expressing opinions sensibly, clearly and effectively also structured, listening to different opinions and also usually accompanied by language skills foreign.

Well that's an explanation of the Definition of Debate, Purpose, Characteristics, Benefits, Types, and Elements, hopefully what is described can be useful for you.