10 Commandments to Create the Perfect Debate (Part 1)

When we talk to our clients or prospective partners about their ideas for developing a course, they often ask:

“Could we include a round table or a debate?”

And our answer is always the same: “Of course!”

We see debates as a unique element that adds both quality and exclusivity to any educational program.

We would love to share what works best for us when organising and recording events like this, whether they take place in front of a live audience or in a private setting.

So here are our 10 commandments to help you design and deliver the best round table or debate of your professional life.

Watching a debate where ideas are presented in an organised and structured way is very different from watching one where participants constantly interrupt each other and there is no clear framework to follow.

For medical education programs, we do not recommend the latter.

The priority is ensuring that participants clearly understand the discussion and can apply the information to their daily clinical practice.

It is essential that speakers communicate their messages clearly, with structure and continuity. This is why you must first establish your objectives: what do you aim to achieve by organising this debate?

An event should follow a natural flow, encouraging open discussion without losing sight of the main topic. This is precisely the moderator’s role.

It may seem easier than it actually is, as everything depends on the tone of the conversation and the personalities involved.

Look for a proactive moderator with the ability to improvise and handle unexpected situations, especially during live debates. They must also ensure balanced participation among speakers and prevent any signs of disrespect or repeated interruptions.

It is equally important that the moderator has strong knowledge of the topic and a solid professional reputation in the field. They will be one of the most visible faces of the event and can significantly influence audience interest and engagement.

You may already have certain names in mind, but we recommend taking the time to create a shortlist of potential candidates.

We live in the age of communication, which means you can easily find professional profiles online through platforms such as LinkedIn or X.

Avoid making decisions based on first impressions. Do your research, watch videos of previous presentations, analyse their communication style, interests, and whether they tend to adopt controversial or neutral positions.

Choosing participants with diverse perspectives can make the debate more engaging and enriching, as it offers a broader range of viewpoints on the topic.

One final recommendation: if your moderator is a recognised opinion leader, take advantage of their network and reputation to attract strong participants. They can also help identify individuals capable of generating meaningful and valuable discussions.

Although debates and round tables are generally more flexible than other communication formats, a structured guideline is still essential for ensuring efficiency.

Consider not only the topics to be discussed but also the time allocated to each, including those that may seem less critical.

Key elements to include:

• Time for introduction and participant presentation. This helps set the context with essential background information.
• Clearly defined objectives that can be reiterated throughout the session. This keeps the discussion focused and purposeful.
•  Well-structured discussion points to help participants develop their contributions effectively.
•  Clear ground rules for discussion, including speaking order and time limits. These should be explained before recording begins and reinforced during the session.
•  A strong conclusion that summarises key insights and acknowledges the participants’ contributions. Once again, the moderator plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful outcome.

This may sound simple, but in practice it often requires careful planning.

Much depends on where participants are travelling from. If they are coming from different cities within the same region, selecting a central location can usually solve logistical challenges.

However, if participants are travelling from different countries or states, greater consideration is required. In such cases, choosing a hotel meeting room or venue near an airport or major train station with reliable transport connections is advisable.

This step requires preparation: contact multiple venues, compare prices, and understand what is included in each offer.

Are furniture and technical equipment provided, or will they need to be arranged separately? What is the lighting and sound quality like? How much space is available for a potential audience?

Whenever possible, visiting the venue in person is highly recommended. What you see online may differ significantly from the actual experience.

Let’s pause here for now. In the next article, we will share key advice on the more technical aspects of organising and recording a successful debate.

Good things take time, and we believe it is important to fully absorb and implement these initial recommendations before moving forward.

For the moment, we would love to know whether this blog has helped clarify some of your questions and allowed you to get to know us a little better.

See you soon for Part 2.