debating society
Formal discussion group
A debating society is an organization, typically at a school or university, where members practice formal argumentation on assigned topics.
Members take positions they may not personally hold and argue according to established rules and formats: She joined the debating society to sharpen her public speaking skills.
The term sometimes appears dismissively for groups that talk endlessly without acting.
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- oxfordClosed-lacing dress shoe
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- motionChange in position
opposition · rebuttal · eloquence · persuasion · speaker · forum · proposition · oratory · public speaking · chamber · vote · tournament · affirmative · cross-examination · devil's advocate · resolution · opening statement · gavel
- student clubsdrama club, chess club, art club, book club, film club
- intellectual gatheringssalon, symposium, colloquium, seminar, forum
- OxbridgeOxford, Oxbridge, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Exeter
debating societycasual conversation
Informal spoken exchange
chitchat · small talk · bull session · coffee klatch · water cooler talk
debating societysports team
Organized group of athletes
athletic club · hiking club · craft circle · gardening club · dance troupe
debating societysupport group
Gathering for mutual encouragement
debate, debating, debates, debated, debater, debaters, debatable, society, societies