The Benefits and Drawbacks Associated with Group Debates

Competitive debate in any format sharpens the ability to research and analyze problems, think and listen critically by expressing thoughts clearly and fluently. It increases your confidence and poise and provides constant intellectual stimulation. Group formatted debates gives each debater an active role, members are generally randomly placed into groups of only two or three on each team, resulting in four to six debaters for each topic.

When debates are set up in a group manner, people who make up the audience benefit from critically evaluating of each debaters on content, involvement, language, and speech; fishbowl discussions used in the fields have demonstrated positive learning opportunities for participates. Some drawbacks to these type of debating style are more reserved people are less likely to actively participate and there a tendency for males to be more comfortable than females in adversarial environments and the preference of some cultural groups for harmony over open opposition.

This debate format has been criticized for oversimplifying complex issues into dichotomous options. The use of groups debating in front of the rest of the class allows for diverse evaluation of the issues by the student listeners, who are observing the debaters. The people who are listening are less focused on winning or losing the debate and can offer critical evaluation of the arguments presented. During the discussions following the debate people may assess the complexity of the issues, in addition to judging who won or lost the debate. Studies have found that when group debates occur, debates stimulate critical thinking and can be a highly effective way to actively engage discussions; group debating activity is an effective teaching method with many desirable outcomes.
Debates help develop discussions, listening skills, promoting active learning, and improve critical thinking skills. Debates can help fledgling democracies heal from the wounds inflicted by oppressive dictatorships and ethnic violence by providing a forum where these volatile issues can be openly discussed. Debating in various formats teaches the principles of tolerance, nonviolence and respect for different points of view; debate can close the gap between minority and majority cultures, and other groups divided by long-standing divides.