Academic debate is a form of structured argumentation where participants engage in competition to persuade judges on the merits of their arguments. It is commonly practiced at the high school and collegiate levels as a means of developing critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills. Debates typically follow a specific format, with teams either arguing for or against a given proposition. Participants must support their arguments with evidence, logic, and reasoning, and respond to points raised by their opponents. Judges evaluate the quality of the arguments, presentation, and analysis to determine the winner. There is ongoing debate within the academic community about the efficacy and value of academic debate as an educational tool. Some argue that it helps students develop important skills such as research, critical thinking, and public speaking, while others criticize it for promoting competition over cooperation and reinforcing hierarchies of power and privilege. Overall, academic debate remains a popular and valuable method for teaching communication and argumentation skills, while also generating discussion and reflection on the role of competition and persuasion in academic settings.