Debate

As discussed previously, participants in debate look at different sides of the same issue. Although this can be done competitively, as seen on the National Forensics League Web site, it is also an effective teaching technique in the classroom. Debate participants examine the legitimacy of need/solutions, and they debate the effectiveness of current legislation and organizations.

Look at this list of Learning to Give briefing paper topics; you may want to select the link and scan the papers. Can you think of debate topics based on these concepts?

1. Natural Resources
2. Nonprofit Ability to Hold Political Power Accountable
3. Women’s Use of the Nonprofit Sector As an Alternative Power Source
4. Tax Incentives—An Economic Basis for Charitable Giving

Constructive Conversation

Constructive Conversation, sometimes called discussion, is also a skill of philanthropy and civil society. Research states that constructive conversation allows for opinions to be explored, for logical argument, and for the participants to come to consensus on solutions.

Constitutional Rights Foundation http://www.crf-usa.org/civil_conv.html

The ability to research a need and support that with evidence is a key skill in the nonprofit sector. The skills of listening, clarifying, formulating and extending ideas, reflecting, modifying positions and reaching consensus are critical to the function of democracy and philanthropy.

The key skills of discussion that support philanthropy are similar to debate:

• identification of a need and its causes and creation of a solution and developing logical arguments or evidence to support the solution
• following rules of civil discourse: timed, respectful, issues not personalities
• Philanthropic topics (needs) and the nonprofit sector as a source of solutions can also be the content of the discussion.
• It enhances learning and is interactive.
• It teaches skills that can be used in real-life.

The differences are that in discussion:

• participants interact informally, rather than in timed turns
• additional skills such as reflective listening, clarification, new ideas and extending another person's ideas are a part of formal discussion
• finally, the group can reach consensus on a conclusion without an outside judge
• Brainstorming, problem solving/creating, analysis and synthesis, summarize