Skip to content
Support Notice

The User Guide is currently undergoing major re-construction, which we are aiming to complete by the end of April 2026. In the meantime please email support@debate.report

Thank you for your patience, and your ongoing interest in debate.report. We are aiming to build a world-class debate platform, and to encourage many more people to engage in meaningful debate. The platform essentially turns debating into a fun and enjoyable game for the participants, and which helps participants and the audience alike to develop and sharpen their critical-thinking skills and to come to an informed position on the important issues of the day.

the Debate Report Team, March 2026

Introduction to the Chamber

Chamber Layout

The chamber is laid out as a set of panels, and all the content on the page relates to one resolution. The panels are:

Graph Panel

Here the arguments are laid out in a colour-coded diagram, in a way that should make it easy to quickly see what's going on. See graph panel for more on this.

List Panel

Here the same arguments shown in the graph are listed in a table. This allows attributes to be more easily compared and contrasted, e.g. how many votes does each argument have. See list panel for more on this.

Detail Panel

This panel shows all the details pertaining to one statement, e.g. a claim, rebuttal, etc. This panel also has action buttons allowing you to vote, comment, view science reports, or add argumentation to the debate. Any user, logged in or not, can flag a statement if they believe it contravenes a policy, a regulation, or perhaps just falls short of expected codes of politeness and decency. See detail panel for more on this.

Switch Board

Technically a popup and not a panel, this is an important part of the chamber and allows you to switch between the debates on different resolutions. See switch board for more on this.

Debate Structure

As in most debate forums, the debates here follow a formal structure which ensures a fair hearing For and Against, and a clear understanding of what is being argued. The debate.report platform ensures the integrity of the debate structure, allowing the you, the debater, to focus on what is really important - getting your points across and making them stick.

Each debate comprises a resolution statement and a collection of other types of statements which are related to each other in a specific way to preserve their logical purpose. For example, the resolution should always have at least two claims attached to it, one For and the other Against, and each claim should have evidence to back it up connected to the claim via a Warrant which lays out the reasons why the evidence backs up the claim. A rebuttal statement can be lodged against most types of statement, except the resolution and the framework statement. The discussion point is not really part of the argument but simply a request for clarity, a question, or a comment. As such they also cannot be rebutted. There are more details about the different types of statement below.

If everyone follows this formal structure then the debates are much easier to read and understand, and so the debate.report enforces the structure for everyone’s benefit. Here is a graphical representation of the structure applied on the platform. See statement types for more detail on the structure and use of different types of statement.

Reading the Debate

The graph panel is the best way to read a debate. It breaks down the arguments into pros (blue) and cons (red), lays out the evidence and warrants that connect evidence to the claims, hightlights rebutals, etc. The visual representations is a very powerful way to quickly convey and grasp what's going on. For exanmple, you can immediately see whiuch arguments have no evidence. Take some time to read the debate, try to understand what the debaters are saying, and then form your own views as to whether or not the arguments are accurate and true

Deductive vs Inductive Arguments

In logic, the two primary types of arguments are deductive and inductive, not "logical" versus "non-logical."

Deductive arguments aim for certainty, where the conclusion is intended to follow with logical necessity from the premises; if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. Inductive arguments aim for probability, where the conclusion is intended to follow with a high likelihood (but not absolute certainty) given the premises. The terms "valid" and "sound" apply to deductive arguments, while "strong" and "cogent" apply to inductive arguments. Both types are forms of logical reasoning, whereas arguments that fail certan logical tests are classified as fallacies or incorrect reasoning.

For more detail on reading and understanding debates see debate theory

Understand the Debate Structure

Resolution: The debate’s central topic (e.g., “Artificial intelligence benefits society”). Moderators create resolutions; debaters argue For or Against. Sometimes known as the proposition or motion. Framework: Usually supplied by the debate moderator to lay out the approach to the debate (e.g., ethical, economic, or social lens). Argument Components:

  • Claim: A specific point supporting your side (e.g., “AI improves healthcare efficiency”).
  • Warrant: The reasoning behind your claim (e.g., “AI diagnostics reduce errors”).
  • Evidence: Credible data or sources (e.g., a study showing AI’s diagnostic accuracy).
  • Impact Statement: Why your claim matters to the resolution (e.g., “Better healthcare saves lives, supporting AI’s benefits”).
  • Rebuttal: Counterarguments to challenge opposing claims. May actually refute an argument, i.e. prove it wrong
  • Turn: A statement (with reasoning/warrant) that says an argument on one side, if true, actually supports the other side

Joining a Debate

First, register for one of three roles:

Moderator: Creates debate resolutions and ensures content complies with platform rules. Debater: Builds arguments (frameworks, claims, warrants, evidence, impact statements), posts rebuttals, creates discussion points, and votes on arguments with a rationale. Voter: Votes and comments on the veracity of arguments but does not otherwise participate in the debate.

If you simply wish to follow what’s going on then you do not need to register and you will still be able to observe most of the debate content, but you will not have access to voting comments or be able to vote or contribute any arguments.[/li]

Once registered, browse open resolutions or use the search function to find topics of interest, choose a side (For or Against) and review existing arguments to understand the discussion. Then proceed below...

Crafting Effective Arguments

Understand the Framework (if defined by the moderator) and decide on your perspective (e.g., “I’ll argue from a public health standpoint”). Make Clear Claims: If you wish to make a claim relating to the resolution, make sure it is specific and concise (e.g., “AI reduces diagnostic errors” rather than “AI is good”). Support with Warrants: Explain why your claim is valid using logic or reasoning. Provide Evidence: Use credible sources to back up your claim (e.g., academic studies, reputable news, or expert opinions). Cite sources clearly. Highlight Impacts: Connect your argument to the resolution’s bigger picture. Keep It Civil: Avoid inflammatory language or personal attacks to comply with platform rules.

Posting Rebuttals and Discussion Points

  • Rebuttal: Directly challenge opposing arguments by questioning their claims, or warrants. Be specific (e.g., “The opponent’s study is outdated; newer data shows…”).
  • Comments and Chat: Use these to ask clarifying questions or highlight nuances without advancing your contention (e.g., “Can you clarify how AI impacts rural healthcare?”).
  • Check your tone to ensure respectful engagement.

Voting on Arguments

  • Review arguments carefully before voting For or Against.
  • Provide a short rationale (e.g., “I voted For because the evidence is recent and compelling”).
  • Monitor notifications for updates to debates you’ve voted on. Reassess your vote if new arguments or evidence emerge.

Managing Your Content

  • Check your posts to see if others have rebutted or asked questions that you may wish to reply. Coming by the end of 2025 you can opt to receive automated alerts of this activity, but until then you should perform regular checks.
  • Regularly check your posts to ensure they haven’t been flagged for violations. You should be also allerted by email
  • If content is removed, review the moderation notice and use the appeals process if you believe it was removed unfairly.
  • Avoid repeated violations to prevent account suspension.

Assessing the Resolution Outcome

All votes are automatically aggregated upwards through the argument hierarchy, so that participants and viewers can see the level of support for and against each statement, taking into account the support for all supporting statements. Ultimately all votes are accumulated at the resolution level so which indicates the overall support for and against it. In a future release it will be possible to view the change in support of time for any resolution, but currently the platform shows the current level of support, in real-time as voting occurs.

Tips for Success

  • Research Thoroughly: Use reliable sources to strengthen your evidence. Cross-check facts to avoid misinformation.
  • Be Concise: Clear, focused arguments are more persuasive than lengthy ones.
  • Engage Respectfully: Address ideas, not people. This keeps debates productive and compliant with rules.
  • Stay Active: Revisit debates to add new arguments or respond to rebuttals, as debates remain open for months.
  • Learn from Others: Read high-quality arguments from experienced debaters to improve your skills.
  • Track Votes: Monitor how your arguments are received to refine your approach.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Weak Evidence: Relying on unverified or biased sources undermines your credibility.
  • Ignoring Opponents: Failing to address rebuttals weakens your position.
  • Off-Topic Posts: Stay focused on the resolution to avoid content removal.
  • Overly Emotional Arguments: Passion is great, but prioritize logic and evidence.
  • Neglecting Notifications: Missing updates may cause you to overlook new arguments that challenge your vote.
  • Fallacy: i.e. a statement that is based on invalid inference or reasoning. Either missing one that attacks your side, or getting caught using one can weaken your standing. Common types of fallacy include: Red Herring - where an argument is irrelevant to the debate and is used to distract or deflect, Post Hoc - assuming that sequence implies causation, Ad Hominem - attacking a debater rather than the arguments. If you spot a fallacy be sure rebut it so that others can also notice it. There are many more types of fallacy and a study of them (outside the scope of this Guide) will be very helpful to your debating skill.

Example: Building an Argument

Resolution: “Remote work should be the standard for all industries.” Framework: Economic and social benefits

Side: For

  • Claim: Remote work increases employee productivity.
  • Warrant: Flexible schedules allow workers to optimize their peak performance hours.
  • Evidence: A 2023 study by Stanford found a 13% productivity increase in remote workers.
  • Impact: Higher productivity boosts company profits and employee satisfaction, supporting remote work as a standard.
  • Rebuttal (to opponent): The opponent claims remote work harms collaboration, but studies show virtual tools like Zoom maintain effective teamwork.

Platform Etiquette and Compliance

  • Follow Terms and Conditions: Avoid hate speech, misinformation, or irrelevant content. All content is monitored for compliance with debate.report's Terms and Conditions. Violating content will be removed with the debater notified and directed to the appeals process. Repeated violations may lead to temporary or permanent account suspension.[/size]
  • Appeal Respectfully: If content is removed, use the appeals process calmly and provide evidence for your case.
  • Stay Engaged: Repeatedly ignoring notifications or posting low-effort content may flag your account as inactive or non-compliant.

Conclusion

debate.report offers a unique opportunity to hone your debating skills, engage with diverse perspectives, and contribute to meaningful discussions. As a new debater, focus on building clear, evidence-based arguments, engaging respectfully, and staying active in debates. By following this guide, you’ll develop confidence and make valuable contributions to the platform. Happy debating!

Note: For platform-specific issues or subscription details, contact our support team.