Debate is not only manageable in the classroom, it is also an effective and enjoyable learning activity. Debate in the content area classroom serves a dual purpose: students are exposed to a process that facilitates critical thinking and analytical skills, and debate serves as a device for authenticating and deepening subject area knowledge. Debate for young adolescents is not only developmentally appropriate, but timely in another sense--this age group loves to argue! At a time when so many middle school students feel awkward and embarrassed about walking into a room, they can be amazingly open to entering into an argument. Debate gives these young people a meaningful "voice"--a way to interact with and to feel a part of the bigger (adult) world around them. Most significantly, it builds both the voice and the skills to enable the developing young person to begin to make sense out of his or her place in the world through the consideration of differing points of view. This paper gives an overview of the basic elements and concepts that are helpful in implementing an informal debate in the classroom. Not every concept or procedure outlined here is necessary for holding a successful classroom debate, and there are many concepts and procedures that have not been included. (Contains 7 figures.)