By debating, we mean talking about a fixed topic in a fixed format. In our English debates we are debating according to the British Parliamentary Style or the Open Parliamentary Debate (for more detail read rules).
Important to notice are the following things:

• Your site is drawn by lots, this means that you are not necessarily on the site of your own opinion
• You have a fixed speaking time and there is no dialogue
• You only have 15 min to prepare before the debate, there you should not find facts, but an abstract logical argumentation
• A debate is assessed by fixed criteria and is adjudicated by one or more neutral listeners

A debate is aiming at a detailed and in-depth argumentation on a topic. The speakers train to understand and give abstract argumentation, as well as presenting it structured and detailed.