By Kayla Olsen
Perhaps you were on the debate team in school, or maybe you just have a very strong opinion about topics such as US economic stability. Either way, you can select from multiple venues in which to present or support your perspective. Each online debate forum offers a formal, virtual space for debating opposing views on practically any topic you can imagine.
Debate forums can take a few forms. There are the sites that are dedicated to general practice of debating. These sites can host multiple forums, which are simultaneously active. As it is a general forum for debating, debate topics can vary widely. The debate community membership is broad, and can even be global. Alternatively, some online debate forums exist that are already focused on a particular topic, or that are hosted by an interest group or a major media entity. Whereas the general debate forum services always have active debates, the forums hosted by interest groups or media entities may show less-consistent activity that parallels the activity of major political themes or controversial news headlines.
Many debate forums require registration to participate. This is a measure taken to ensure that participants are human (as opposed to robots), and that they have a serious intent to productively contribute to the community. Registration is typically free, and it often gives you community privileges beyond just observing the exchanges. As a registered member, you often have the power to suggest new debate topics, or even identify an opponent to begin a debate. Some services even include opinion surveys and poll resources that you can utilize, as well. You can keep track of the debates in which you are actively involved, or have been previously active. Each debate has a debate period, and can include a challenge period, as well. Some communities also include leaderboards to rank members' statistics, such as debate participation, wins, losses, ties, win ratio, and overall percentile. Feeling less competitive? Then participate in a forum, by suggesting topics and/or posting your thoughts on a pre-existing topic.
Some of the world's most intelligent people are participating in these communities. Join an online debate forum to either participate in, or observe a debate. It can be exciting, educational and enlightening. Engage with like minded people and those unlike you in a safe debate community to immerse yourself in critical thinking and well-supported argument.
Kayla Olsen is a freelance writer and online debate forum newbie. For information on one of the premier online debate forums, visit:http://www.tawkers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kayla_Olsen