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Debate
The act of considering a point of discussion. A debate generally occurs between two or more parties who deliberate on their competing viewpoints. Most debates seek the goal of conflict resolution and negotiation. An adjudicator may become involved to decide the outcome of a debate in which claims are the focus. Argumentation is a key element in a debate, as well as other modes of rhetoric (such as metaphor and narrative). Furthermore, important aspects of argumen tation include evidence, reasoning, reservations, and claims. Stephen Toulmin's (1958) model of argumen tation has been important to the field of rhetoric in the study of argumentation. For more information, see Toulmin (1958).