Debate is an important part of the public sphere, where citizens discuss political issues and express their opinions. Debates can have a profound effect on the political process, influencing voters and politicians, as well as the media. They can be held anywhere, including at schools and universities. However, debate is a demanding event, and debaters must be prepared for it.

It’s vital to select a debate topic that offers plenty of depth and has an extensive amount of research available on both sides of the argument. This will enable you to construct well-rounded arguments that can stand up to counterarguments. It’s also important to have a strong opening, which will help grab audience attention and show that you are confident in your arguments.

In addition to providing a platform for the diffusion of opinions, public debates are often understood as a kind of democratic praxis that builds the frontiers of the public sphere (Sims 2008). Public debates bring to light a variety of competing interests, values, considerations, and positions that may be at play in decision-making processes. Moreover, debate participants expect to be engaged in deliberative disagreement, meaning that they will engage in reason-giving and critique other people’s claims.

Moreover, debates can provide a way for marginalized citizens to make their voices heard and become more visible in the public sphere. In this context, less-norm-governed genres such as personal storytelling and testimony are promoted as egalitarian modes of debate that can empower non-dominant voices and include their views in debates.