The Meaning of Debate is Debatable

I had been debating whether or not to write an article on the word debate because the meaning of debate is  debatable.  I didn’t want to get into a debate about it, but you can debate the issue on many levels so I think I will.

Debate is quite a versatile word that can be used as a verb or a noun.  Merriam Webster defines debate as “the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure” and “a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides.”  It further defines it:

* to contend in words

* to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments

* to argue about <the subject was hotly debated>

* to engage (an opponent) in debate

* to turn over in one’s mind <he’s still debating what to do>

* a contention by words or argument.

So debate can mean anything from an orchestrated and heavily regulated event where two sides formally discuss a particular political issue to a slight disagreement.  The true meaning lies in the context of the communication.

I’m working on a series of studies coming out in the next few weeks that discuss debate as it is used in various settings.  Say What You Mean: Debating the Issues is my latest release talking about how to discuss political issues in a more familiar and conversational environment.  I’m currently working on Say What You Mean: Avoiding, Reducing and Resolving Conflicts which is due to be in editing soon.  And before January, I have plans to finally release my formal debate study.  I’ll be sharing more about them in the coming months.

To give you a fun look at formal debate, I have included for your giggling pleasure a video clip from Welcome Back Kotter where the Sweathogs are entered in a formal debate.  My book will be a bit more traditional in its approach.

Share this: