Guidelines for Dialectical Debates

GUIDELINES FOR DEBATE

TOTAL TIME — 45 MINUTES

TimeSegmentDuration
0–2 minModerator introduces the proposition and audience conducts pre-debate polling2 min
2–7 minResource person FOR — Opening Argument5 min
7–12 minResource person AGAINST — Opening Argument5 min
12–17 minResource person FOR — Rebuttal5 min
17–22 minResource person AGAINST — Rebuttal5 min
22–25 minAudience post-debate polling3 min
25–35 minModerator-led Audience & Panel Questions10 min
35–40 minModerator’s Summary & Key Takeaways5 min
Note: The above listed segments total 40 minutes. The remaining 5 minutes may be reserved for resource person transitions, technical adjustments, audience polling logistics, or a brief closing/feedback segment, so that the overall session remains within the scheduled 45 minutes.

MODERATOR’S ROLE

  • Maintain balance: Ensure that both sides receive equal opportunity to present their arguments and rebuttals.
  • Keep the discussion clinically relevant: Focus the debate on practical implications for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
  • Explore genuine controversy: Encourage discussion of areas where reasonable differences in clinical practice, evidence, or interpretation exist.
  • Acknowledge limitations: Ensure that uncertainties, limitations of available evidence, and areas requiring further research are recognized.
  • Avoid repetition: Move the discussion forward when arguments become repetitive or circular.
  • Facilitate audience engagement: Encourage relevant questions and connect audience responses to the central proposition.
  • Maintain time discipline: Start and end every segment on time and ensure that the debate concludes according to the scheduled programme.
GOLDEN RULE

“The moderator controls the clock, the resource persons control the argument, and the audience gets the learning.”