Formal debates take many forms. Some are sponsored through national or international organizations, but they may also be conducted in an impromptu fashion within high school and college classrooms. The venue may consist of a town hall or a television studio. The topics can also be diverse, from philosophical concepts to zoning policies.

Knowing how to debate in a structured forum is invaluable for several reasons. Having limited time encourages you to be able to articulate your position succinctly and convincingly. Being confined to a specific proposal can help you to focus your thinking. Having to respond to your opponent’s statements, as well as fielding questions posed by a moderator or audience member, puts you in a position where you must learn to think on your feet (which is often the situation in real life, where we don’t have the chance to research our answers beforehand).

Although there is no single standard of formal debate structure, there are a few types that have gained prominence in the United States. The foremost of these is the “Parliamentary” style, named thus because of its origins in British Parliament. In this format, two teams of people speak either for or against a particular resolution. The side for the resolution is known as the “government,” while the other is called the “opposition.”

In Parliamentary debate, participants are awarded points for several aspects of their arguments, including style and research. The American Parliamentary Debate Association and the National Parliamentary Debate Association are the two largest sponsors of this kind of debate in U.S. colleges and universities, and the associations hold competitions around the country every year.

Other formal debate structures are also common. The famous Lincoln-Douglas style involves one-on-one debating, with the focus generally geared towards the application of a particular value to a given policy. The Public Debate format is also popular in the U.S. In contrast to Parliamentary Debate, Public Debate focuses less on rhetoric and more on knowledge. Winners are usually determined by which team presents the best evidence and logic.

Formal debates offer a great way to hash out ideas, to kindle public discourse, and to increase the proficiency of arguments you make in every part of your life. They can also be a lot of fun.