Disputation

The act of disputing; a reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy in words; verbal contest respecting the truth of some fact, opinion, proposition, or argument.

A rhetorical exercise in which parties reason in opposition to each other on some question proposed.

a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"

the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)