A debate, at its core, is a discussion between two or more people that is controlled by rules.
All debates feature: 

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1. Motion​: A motion is a clearly worded statement that serves as the topic up for debate (i.e. "school uniforms should be abolished"). 

2. Disagreement: At least one debater in a debate must disagree with some or all of the opinions and ideas of another debater. There is typically a "government" (or proposition) that affirms the motion, and an "opposition" that argues against the motion. 

3. Judges: In a basketball or chess game, the players can self-moderate results. But in a qualitative activity such as debating, judges are required to determine the winner. Because of the presence of judges, the main goal of competitive debate becomes to persuade the adjudicators. 

4. Argumentation: To persuade judges, debaters make arguments—a set of reasons that explain why their side of the motion is correct. Arguments either serve to defend a team’s side (known as "positive" or "constructive") or attack the opposite team’s side (known as "negative" or "rebuttal"). The combined arguments that a team presents creates a "case". A case explains why a judge should agree or disagree with the motion. 

5. Rules: Competitive debates are limited by rules, which are specific to different formats. The rules provided by these formats create constraints on the debate and what debaters can do. The dominant formats in Canada are the Canadian National Debate Format ("CNDF"), British Parliamentary ("BP") Style, and World Schools Debating Format ("WSDF").