Difference between Debate and Discussion
Debate vs Discussion
Debate and Discussion are two words that are often confused when it comes to understanding their meanings and usage. Strictly speaking, there is some difference between the two words.
The word ‘debate’ is generally used in the sense of ‘deliberation’. On the other hand, the word ‘discussion’ is used in the sense of ‘detailed conversation’. This is the main difference between the two words. It is important to know that there is an element of argument in a debate. On the other hand, a discussion can be free of arguments.
A discussion normally is centered on a particular topic with assertions made by two or more people that do their best to establish the validity of the topic. Hence discussion normally take place during meetings such as company meetings, official meetings, meetings between the heads of institutions, meetings between the heads of organizations and the like.
On the other hand, a debate does not take place during meetings like official meetings, company meetings, meetings between the heads of organizations, and the like. In fact, debate takes place to oppose certain points regarding a topic. It takes place between two or more people that are intent upon proving their own statements, and thereby, engaging in arguments to oppose the assertions or statements made by other people.
This is primarily the reason why debate is considered a skill in developing one’s communication. It is a test of one’s communicative abilities. A debate is held as a kind of competition to prove one’s speaking and communicative ability. On the other hand, a discussion is not held as a competition to judge a person’s speaking or communicative ability. This is another important difference between the two words.
The word ‘debate’ is thus used sometimes in the sense of ‘contest’ as in the sentences,
1. A debate was held for college students yesterday.
2. Angela won the first prize in the debate competition held for girls.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word ‘debate’ is used in the sense of ‘speaking contest’, and hence the meaning of the sentences would be ‘a speaking contest was held for college students yesterday’, and ‘Angela won the first prize in the speaking contest held for girls’.
The word ‘discussion’ is sometimes used in the sense of ‘chat’ as in the sentences
1. There was a discussion among the members of the club.
2. Parichat took part in the discussion about civic sense.
In both the sentences, the word ‘discussion’ is used in the sense of ‘chat’, and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘there was a chat among the members of the club’ and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Francis took part in the chat about civic sense’.
Procedure: As the purpose of both debate and discussion is antithetic, the procedure is also quite different. In a debate, the speakers are concerned to answer each other and try to express the relevance of their own points. The period after their speech is just an opportunity for them to prepare for the closing remarks and audience just discuss under guidance of the chairman.
In a discussion, speakers try to present a reasoned case for or against the motion and thus, help the audience to reach the conclusion on the basis of points raised during the discussion. The co-operation of audience is greatly required which isn’t needed in a debate. In fact, a discussion is a modern method of self-education and is designed to ensure a clear grasp of current issues and possible solutions in a particular situation or organization.
Environment: In what kind of environment or under what conditions does debate or discussion takes place? A discussion is in fact an important part of agenda in official meetings, company meetings etc whereas a debate is always avoided in such cases. A debate happens when you want to oppose certain points regarding a particular topic.
Mostly, a debate is held as a competition to judge a person’s communicative skills whereas a discussion is done to present some constructive solutions to a particular problem.
Code of Conduct: A discussion is a sort of detailed conversation only. Debate, apart from being destructive often involves arguments but such is not the case with a discussion. It’s actually a healthy exchange of ideas. There’s no winning or losing in a discussion so, you don’t actually need to argue or fight over your own view-point. In fact, you must be open to the new ideas and ponder over them as well.