The motion is one name for the issue being debated. It usually consists of a short pithy statement that must be supported or refuted by each of the teams. An example of a motion would be "Government interference in family life is a bad thing." Because of the nature and rules of debating, there is really no room for ambivalence. This narrows the way that the motion is considered.
The rules of debating are rigid. This means that questions are limited and that each speaker can only talk for a specified number of minutes. This is quite an artificial means of communication and can restrict the depth of the discussion, as there is no time to explore the issues in more detail.
Debating is a skill that improves with practice. Some people seem more naturally gifted at presenting a case than others. One party may be more persuasive, more articulate and a better communicator. That can override other issues in a debate, such as who has the best argument. Though points are awarded for an obviously well-researched case, it may well be the person who is best at putting her point across that will win..
A debate can be less than scintillating for the audience. Again, this is partly because of its highly formal structure. The audience has few, if any, opportunities to get involved, and members may feel that they are watching something that is more of a competition than a serious reflection on the matter under debate.