What we’re about
We believe there are three ingredients to civil disagreement that you only get by debating face to face: listening to what other people have to say, looking them in the eye when you tell them you disagree, and stepping into their shoes to understand why they think differently.
This is what we require all of our speakers to do at our Face to Face debates and though this has been made a lot more difficult by the pandemic, holding our debates on Zoom has allowed us to continue this tradition while moving all operations online until it is safe to stage live events again.
How Face to Face debates work
Face to Face debates are all about providing a space for people to practice civil disagreement themselves, so we recruit speakers from within our own community and give them a platform to make the case for or against each debate motion.
We set only ONE condition: they must agree to defend whichever position we assign them, even if it means arguing against what they personally believe. This is how we encourage our members to step into the shoes of people who think differently and try seeing the world through their eyes. It is then for our audience to work out if they genuinely hold the position they are defending.
The audience has a big role to play on top of this. After being given time to discuss how they feel about the topic in breakout rooms before the debate starts, we then hand the floor over to them after hearing the opening arguments for both sides, so they can cross-examine the speakers with their questions and comments.
The debate ends with closing arguments from both sides and an audience vote to see where they stand. We follow that with a short discussion to see how many people changed their minds and why.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Network event1 attendee from 2 groups hostingIntro To Debating - Debate WorkshopYe Olde Cock Tavern, London£35.00
Looking at how debates work, when they're most appropriate, and where to start if you are preparing to speak in one for the first time.
This workshop will provide an overview of the 3Ps - philosophy position presentation - and some basic techniques for combining them to build a case in defence of your position.
The day will begin with a masterclass, in which you will be broken up into small groups to work on a series of exercises, so you can get comfortable speaking in front of each other before you are asked to speak in front of the rest of the room. No one will be required to speak in front of the room until they feel ready to do so.
After lunch will be dedicated to a mock debate, which will serve as a rehearsal for the upcoming public debate on the same topic. Members can volunteer to be on the panel for these debates a week in advance when the topic is announced, but everyone can take part by questioning the speakers, making speeches of their own, and offering feedback.
All participants will receive a paper handout on arrival. All you will need to bring with you is something to write with.Meet Your Coaches
Debate London's Coaching team brings together 6 of the greatest debaters from across the UK and the USA with a combined experience of over a century in debating. Wether that is leading on the debate competition circuit, judging debates across university & professional levels or running debate training organisiations to develop the next generation of debaters our team will give you the skills you need to debate with the best of them.Venue
Food and drink available at the venue and a lunchbreak is scheduled within the workshop.
Please do not bring external food or drink into the venue you WILL be asked to throw it away. - Network event1 attendee from 2 groups hostingPersuading With Evidence - Debate WorkshopYe Olde Cock Tavern, London£35.00
Learn how to prepare a quality speech, presentation or argument in 20 minutes! From one of London's leading Debate Coaches.
In this 4.5 hour Masterclass we will be exploring: the tactics used before the speech. What to include, what to leave out, and what order to say it all in! Especially, when you are preparing to give a talk or a speech without much time to really prepare.
Key Skills we will be covering:- Stakeholder analysis & Evidence (what sort of arguments can you build?)
- How to build an argument
- The basics of narrative building
This workshop for debaters and speakers of all skill ranges will introduce you to stakeholder analysis and balancing. A core aspect of effective debate preparation and argumentation. This is a key debate preparation skill that can be applied to any form of persuasive communication from the board room to presentations and, of course, debating!
Our Coaches
Debate London's Coaching team brings together 6 of the greatest debaters from across the UK and the USA with a combined experience of over a century in debating. Wether that is leading on the debate competition circuit, judging debates across university & professional levels or running debate training organisiations to develop the next generation of debaters our team will give you the skills you need to debate with the best of them.Venue
Food and drink available at the venue and a lunchbreak is scheduled within the workshop.
Please do not bring external food or drink into the venue you WILL be asked to throw it away.
Past events (571)
See all- Network event9 attendees from 2 groups hostingTime To Break Up The UK-US “Special Relationship” - Fleet Street DebateThis event has passed
