HOW DEBATES WORK

People are divided in teams of 3 to 5 people, of which only 3 are speaking

Each speaker in the debate has a different role: there is a first, second and a third speaker. The reply speech must be delivered by either the first or second speaker.

Preparated motion: you are given the motion and the side you are debating on in advance of the day, so thatcompetitors can research and prepare the topics .

Impromptu: you receive the motion prior to the round at the same time as you are given the side of the debate. You will have one hour to prepare for the debate .

At the end of the debate, the judges (usualy 3) will decide wether the proposition or opposition team has won. Each substantive speaker can get a maximum of 100 points. The reply speech is worth a maximum of 50 points.

The speakers are judged for their content, style and strategy.

Near the end of a tournament, the top teams proceed to knock-out roundsnto declare a winner. These teams are referred to as “The Break”. Once through to the knock-out rounds, a lost debate means elimination. The winner of the tournament is the team that wins the final and all prior knock-out rounds .