Do’s and Don’ts of Debate and Discussion

Introduction

Debate and discussion are two important forms of oral communication included in the Ability Enhancement Course. Debate is more formal and competitive, while discussion is more cooperative and exploratory. However, in both activities, the success of the event does not depend only on knowledge of the topic; it also depends on the behaviour and conduct of the participants. Certain practices are recommended and should be followed – these are the do’s – and certain habits must be avoided – these are the don’ts. A student who observes these guidelines will create a positive impression on judges, teachers and fellow students.

I. General Do’s Common to Debate and Discussion

Some basic do’s apply to both debate and discussion because both are forms of structured communication.

• Be well-prepared: Read about the topic in advance, note down important facts, examples and arguments, and arrange them logically. Preparation gives confidence and prevents hesitation.
• Listen attentively: Pay close attention to what others are saying. Good listening allows you to respond meaningfully instead of repeating the same points.
• Be polite and respectful: Use courteous forms of address, maintain a calm tone and show respect even when you disagree with someone’s views.
• Speak clearly and audibly: Pronounce words correctly, use simple sentences and ensure that your voice reaches the entire audience without shouting.
• Stay on the topic: Keep your contribution related to the motion or point under discussion. Irrelevant remarks create confusion and waste time.
• Use facts and examples: Support your statements with reasons, data, illustrations or short examples; this makes your contribution convincing.
• Control your emotions: Speak firmly but calmly. Do not allow anger, irritation or over-excitement to disturb your performance.
• Observe basic etiquette: Switch off mobile phones or keep them silent, avoid whispering, and maintain eye contact with speakers.

II. General Don’ts Common to Debate and Discussion

Just as there are positive behaviours to be cultivated, there are also negative habits to be avoided.

• Don’t interrupt rudely: Avoid cutting across another speaker’s sentence. If you must intervene, do it politely, for example, “Excuse me, may I add a point here?”
• Don’t make personal attacks: Criticise ideas, not individuals. Avoid remarks about a person’s background, accent, appearance or ability.
• Don’t shout or argue aggressively: Raising the volume does not strengthen your argument. It only shows lack of control and may reduce your marks.
• Don’t dominate the floor: Do not speak for an excessive amount of time or prevent others from speaking. Group activities require equal opportunity for all.
• Don’t ignore the chairperson or moderator: Always follow instructions about time limits, order of speaking and procedure.
• Don’t use abusive or sarcastic language: Harsh words or mocking comments spoil the atmosphere and show immaturity.
• Don’t appear careless: Avoid slouching, looking uninterested, playing with pen or mobile, or talking to your neighbour while others are speaking.

III. Do’s in a Debate

A debate is a formal activity where two sides argue for and against a motion. The following do’s are particularly important for debate.

• Do understand the motion clearly: Before preparing, analyse the exact wording of the motion. Be sure of what is included and what is excluded. This prevents misunderstanding of the topic.
• Do prepare a strong opening and closing: Begin with a clear statement of your stand (“I rise to speak for/against the motion…”) and end with a brief, powerful conclusion summarising your main points.
• Do organise arguments logically: Arrange your points in a proper order – introduction, main arguments, evidence and conclusion. Each point should follow naturally from the previous one.
• Do anticipate counter-arguments: Think of what the other side may say and prepare replies in advance. This will strengthen your confidence during rebuttal.
• Do use appropriate formal expressions: In a debate, it is good to address “Mr./Madam Chairperson, honourable judges, my worthy opponents, dear audience”. This shows awareness of the formal setting.
• Do maintain team coordination: If it is a team debate, distribute points among team members and avoid unnecessary repetition. Listen to your own side as carefully as to the opposite side.
• Do rebut politely: While answering the other side, use expressions like, “My learned opponent has argued that… however, I would like to point out…”. This maintains a respectful tone even in disagreement.
• Do keep to the time limit: Practise your speech in advance with a watch. Finishing within time creates an impression of discipline and control.

IV. Don’ts in a Debate

Certain mistakes are frequently observed in student debates. These should be avoided.

• Don’t speak without preparation: Reading a few lines just before the debate is not enough. Poor preparation leads to repetition, confusion and weak arguments.
• Don’t depend entirely on memorised speech: Learn your structure, but be flexible. If you only repeat memorised lines and ignore the other side’s points, the debate becomes mechanical.
• Don’t misquote facts or statistics: Using wrong figures or invented stories reduces your credibility. It is better to use a few reliable facts than many doubtful ones.
• Don’t distort the opponent’s argument: Represent the other side fairly before you attack it. Examiners notice when a speaker deliberately misrepresents what was said.
• Don’t insult or ridicule: Statements like “Only a foolish person will say this” should never be used. They weaken your own position and may lead to negative marking.
• Don’t ignore the audience: Avoid speaking only to the judges or only to your notes. Look at the audience from time to time; after all, you are trying to persuade them.

V. Do’s in a Discussion

A discussion is usually less formal and more cooperative than a debate. The main aim is to understand the topic and, if possible, reach a common conclusion. The following do’s are important in discussions, including group discussions used in selection interviews.

• Do encourage participation: Give others a chance to speak. Invite quieter members by asking for their views: “What do you think about this point?”
• Do build on others’ ideas: Begin with phrases like “Adding to what she said…” or “I would like to extend this point…”. This shows cooperative attitude.
• Do summarise from time to time: When the discussion becomes long, someone may help by briefly summarising what has been said so far and suggesting the next direction.
• Do remain open-minded: Be willing to modify your view if strong reasons are presented by others. Discussion is about learning, not about stubbornly sticking to a position.
• Do focus on solving the problem: Especially in case-study or problem-based discussions, try to move towards practical solutions instead of only criticising the situation.
• Do use cooperative language: Expressions like “we may consider…”, “our group feels…”, “one possible solution is…” reflect team spirit.

VI. Don’ts in a Discussion

Certain behaviours can easily spoil the quality of a discussion and must be avoided.

• Don’t treat discussion as a personal battle: The aim is not to defeat others but to understand the issue. Avoid stubborn arguing only to prove that you are right.
• Don’t speak for the sake of speaking: Examiners can see when a participant talks without adding any new idea. Quality of contribution is more important than quantity.
• Don’t form sub-groups: Whispering separately to your neighbour or starting a side conversation divides the group and looks disrespectful.
• Don’t reject others’ ideas rudely: Instead of saying “This is nonsense”, use expressions like “I have a different opinion” or “I see some difficulty with this suggestion…”.
• Don’t change the topic unnecessarily: Jumping from one issue to another prevents the group from reaching any conclusion.
• Don’t display negative body language: Rolling eyes, laughing at others’ mistakes or continuously checking your phone sends a wrong message to the group.

Conclusion

To conclude, both debate and discussion require not only knowledge of the subject but also disciplined behaviour and good manners. The do’s include preparation, attentive listening, clarity of speech, politeness, logical argument, respect for time and encouragement of others. The don’ts include interrupting rudely, shouting, making personal attacks, dominating the conversation, ignoring the moderator, using abusive language and showing careless body language. A student who follows these guidelines will perform well in classroom activities, examinations, group discussions and professional meetings, and will be recognised as a confident and cultured communicator.