debate

dispute

Verbal clash over differences

• disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
• contentionAssertion or rivalry
• clashViolent disagreement or collision

conflict · discord · dissent · opposition · controversy · rebuttal · counterargument · refutation · stance · position

eloquence

Persuasive verbal grace

• persuasionConvincing through reasoning
• oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
• logosBrand identification symbols

ethos · pathos · argument · articulation · diction · polemics · sophistry · fallacy · strawman · ad hominem

forum

Gathering place for discourse

• panelDistinct flat section
• symposiumFormal expert discussion meeting
• dialogueSpoken exchange between parties

conversation · roundtable · exchange · discourse · moderated · townhall · Q&A · audience · participants · speakers

reasoning

Drawing logical conclusions

• analysisMethodical study of parts
• evaluationDetermining worth or quality
• considerationCareful thought or compensation

weighing · scrutiny · assessment · reflection · judgment · evidence · logic · pros · cons · tradeoffs

parliament

National legislative assembly

• senateLegislative governing body
• legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
• floorIndoor walking surface

bill · policy · bipartisan · partisan · filibuster · motion · chamber · speaker · opposition · caucus

tournament

Multi-round competitive event

• championshipCompetition for top rank
• competitorsThose seeking same goal
• judgesLegal proceeding overseers

podium · trophy · rounds · elimination · finals · semifinals · matchup · victor · opponent · timer

• communicationtelephone, conversation, inform, hand signal, messages
• group activitiesgroup games, voting, protest, group dance, group project
• social interactionshello, goodbye, talk, nod, chat
• spoken communicationphone call, conversation, speech, dialogue, voicemail
• academic activitiesdiscussion, lecture, seminar, symposium, thesis
• argumentsargument, arguing, disagreement, bickering, dispute