Debate is structured argumentation consisting of four elements: a resolution or proposition; an affirmative position, speaker, or team supporting the proposition; a negative position, speaker, or team responsible for attacking the proposition; and a judge or group of judges who determines which position has better achieved its purpose. Debate as a high school activity has the following aims: (1) to encourage in-depth research into the contemporary problems that society faces; (2) to encourage questioning to help individuals formulate and defend positions on issues of underlying values and major policies; (3) to develop social skills necessary to work with a colleague and compete against other high school students; (4) to help students develop the emotional maturity to win and lose graciously; (5) to introduce students to diverse people and regions of the country; (6) to develop the poise necessary to handle unexpected situations in front of unfamiliar audiences; (7) to develop skills of logical argument adequately supported by research; and (8) to encourage students to use spoken English in an increasingly sophisticated way for arguing effectively and persuasively. (SRT)