Debate - The Formal art of arguing

 Debate is a formally presented verbal battle, where two sides of debaters try to persuade the audience to their side with their reasons, logic, and evidence. One may think that debate is all about these reasons, logic, and boring stuff, how can you call it art?

 

Art?

In my perspective, art is a way one can express themselves through some kind of performance which may include elements like color, sound, voice, movement, language, etc. In debating the debater firstly, figures out his/her claim on the topic with a valid and powerful reason and then composes a carefully curated script with the best formal language including necessary emotional, logical, and argumentative words through the art of writing. Then again, debate, being a verbal battle with the help of this written script, the debater presents his/her points and reasonings using their voice. In debate, one cannot just present the reasons and evidence with a flat voice and be done with it. The change in the voice tone is really important here just like while singing, reciting, and acting. The emotion, logic, and confidence need to be clear through the tone of voice they are using and also their facial expressions. So, debating is no less than any art form as it includes creativity, expression, and performing caliber.

The good side of ‘arguing.’

An argument is a verbal exchange between two sides believing in their two sets of different points of view trying to prove themselves right and the other side wrong. Normally seeing the word argument our mind thinks of a scenario where two people r quarreling and cursing each other. But a debate is no streetside banter, I would see it as a gentleman’s argument. There is no cursing or anger involved here. Completely based on their reasons and evidence they present their sides while respecting the other side. There are times in debate when the debater makes such a good point that the opponents also appreciate it. A debater’s target is to take the judgment towards their side, so they have to counter the opponent's point and try to nullify it. Even though they want to prove the other side wrong, it is against the rules to attack someone personally or disrespect them instead, you have to do it with your convincing ability. The motive of debating on a topic is deciding which side of the topic is actually for the greater good.

 

 

 

Outcomes

Well, there can be another question, why would one want to learn to argue even if it is a formal form? It is not always about learning to argue. When we debate on something, the opposition is trying to prove us wrong. The point we curated by researching the entire night, the opposition is proving it wrong. They might bring out some points that you are completely against.  Still, we cannot show our anger or frustration. We need to continue our part with full confidence and still be completely respectful to the opposition. Debate teaches us self-control; it teaches us to respect others’ opinions even if we disagree. We keep our points and our own belief on top, which gives us confidence. These are some life skills that we need in our day-to-day life. Other than that, while gathering reasons, collecting evidence, and forming a script, a debater develops creative thinking and problem-solving skills as well. Debate is much more than just arguing it is a way for people to learn multiple skills simultaneously.

                                     

 

Personal experience

I was a debater when I was in school and used to do a format called Parliamentary Debate. In this, debaters debate on some national topics role-playing as the prime minister or a minister or a member of the parliament. I used to debate as a member of the parliament. Debating gave me a lot of confidence and taught me self-control as well as how to be a team player. All of these are helping me till today and I hope that I can keep using these learnings throughout my lifetime.

 

Bogura Cantonment Public School and College Debate Team 2018

 

Conclusion

As I see it, debating is a skill and an art form. With all the elements of a dramatic argument except the anger and cursing, and with a whole lot of creativity comes debate to entertain and enlighten us all with such sophistication. We all could give debating a chance to take its place as an art and a source of healthy entertainment for all of us if we wish to.