Group Debates Analysis Paper

Myrnia Brown

XBCOM/275

June 15, 2014
Velvalee Wiley

Group Debates Analysis Paper

A debate is an art of reasoning and clever wording to persuade an audience of an individual or group opinion regarding the interpretation of facts and ideas (Gamble, 2012). Debates can be performed individually or in groups, there are both benefits and drawbacks to a debate and how they are performed. Group debates consist of more than two people on both teams; affirmative and negative. There are more benefits and drawbacks when analyzing a group debate. A group debate has its benefits and they are extensive, from expansive knowledge to comradely. When there is more than one person on a debate side all the different ways one opinions is expressed can make the viewpoint more clearly for any persons “sitting on the fence”. All of the opinions put together can give a broad spectrum of information on the given topic, allowing for each team member to see the topic in a different light. With more people on a team there is more knowledge that can pooled together to pick which bit of information is more relevant and can be a stronger hitting point for the opposing team, also each person can be given a specific job based upon their strengths to help the team collect information and deliver their statements. Not every person on the team will have come from the same education lesson or background so they can have different perspectives on how the topic is perceived. Knowing there is such a variety of knowledge and views on the same concept can send off a sense of confidence which will allow for the team to exude an upper-hand. On the opposing side of the subject, there are definitely drawbacks when having a group debate. The major issue with a group debate is tunnel vision, with such strong opinions and biases it is easy to lose