Styles of Debate

RULES OF THE WALES SCHOOLS DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIPS / SCHOOLS MACE

Format

The format for debate is 2 speakers per team, a chairperson and timekeeper. The chairperson
and timekeeper should be seated between the two teams. Speakers should be provided with a
table and chairs, but must stand when delivering their speeches or Points of Information. A
lectern is optional, but no public address system should be used.

Timing

Each speaker is allowed 7 minutes for his or her main speech. A further 4 minutes will be
allowed in which either team member will sum up. The timekeeper will signal after one minute
has elapsed and one minute before the end of the main speeches. Between these signals,
Points of Information can be offered. The first summation shall be taken by the opposition.

A double signal after 7 minutes shall indicate the end of a speech. A 30 second grace period is
then allowed to each speaker in which to conclude their presentation. At the end of the grace
period, a triple signal will indicate that the speaker must stop speaking immediately.

Points of Information

Points of Information arise when a member of the opposing team wishes to give or request
information relevant to something the speaker on the floor has said. Such points must be made
between the first and last minute of the main speeches. No Points of Information can be offered
during the summations.

Eligibility

Each Welsh school or college may send only one team as its representative, unless invited by
the organisers to send an additional team so as to ensure an even number of teams in the
competition.

a. A member of a school’s or college’s team must be:

i A full-time student at that school or college

ii Not older than 19 years of age on 1st February following the debate

b. A team may have up to 3 members - 2 speakers plus a reserve, although the speakers may
not be interchanged between rounds without agreement from the organisers.

FORMAT OF DEBATES

Chairperson's Introduction

First Proposition Speaker

First Opposition Speaker

Second Proposition Speaker

Second Opposition Speaker

 Opposition Summation

Proposition Summation

Adjudicators Retire

Floor Debate, open to all members of the floor

Vote Taken

Adjudicators return and (at end of proceedings) communicate decision

British Parliamentary Style

Format

The most common format in Britain is known as Parliamentary Style debate, and
this involves four teams of two speakers all taking part in one debate, with two
teams on each side. In order to win the debate you must agree with the other
team on your side, but argue that side a little better than they do. This is the style
of debate used in the Cambridge and Oxford competitions for schools and
everywhere at university level.

Four speakers sit down each side of a table, facing each other, with the chairman
at the end - a bit like the front benches in the House of Commons.

Timing
Speeches are usually five minutes long, with the first and last minutes protected
from points of information. There are no summary speeches.

4. Points of Information
Points of information can be made to any speaker by any of your opposing
speakers.

FORMAT OF DEBATES
The order of speeches is:

1st Proposition Team 1st speaker

1st Opposition Team 1st speaker
1st Proposition Team 2nd speaker
1st Opposition Team 2nd speaker
2nd Proposition Team 1st speaker
2nd Opposition Team 1st speaker
2nd Proposition Team 2nd speaker
2nd Opposition Team 2nd speaker.

Worlds Schools

Format

Another format is the Worlds Schools style, which is used at World Schools
Debating Championships. This is exactly like the Wales School or Schools Mace
style but with one extra speaker, allowing the argument to be developed a little
more.
 Timing

Main speeches are 8 minutes long and the summary speeches, which can be
made by the first or second speaker (but not the third) are 4 minutes. There is no
floor debate.

4. Points of Information

Points of Information arise when a member of the opposing team wishes to give or request
information relevant to something the speaker on the floor has said. Such points must be made
between the first and last minute of the main speeches. No Points of Information can be offered
during the summations.

FORMAT OF DEBATES
First Proposition Speaker

First Opposition Speaker

Second Proposition Speaker

Second Opposition Speaker

Third Proposition Speaker

Third Opposition Speaker

Opposition Summation

Proposition Summation

Adjudicators Retire

Karl Popper Debate Format

Format

This style of debate in popular in Europe and through the network of organisations
within the International Debate Education Association (IDEA).

Two teams participate. One team is given the role of the proposition/affirmative
side, the other one the negative or opposition. Each team consists of three to five
debaters, three of whom actively participate in the debate. Debaters of a team
can freely change within their team during a competition, albeit not during a
debate.

After each of the first four speakers there is a 3 minute Cross-questioning from a
member of the Opposing team. The third speaker on each side provides a 5
minute summation with no new arguments introduced.

Timing
The main speech lasts 6 minutes. After the first four speakers from each side
there is a 3 minute Cross-questioning from a member of the Opposition team.
The third speakers speaks for 5 minutes.

During the course of the debate, the proposition team has the right to take 5
minutes and the opposition team 7 minutes for preparation between individual
presentations. Their request to take time for preparation and its amount shall be
announced in a suitable way to the moderator/timekeeper of the debate.

Cross-examination

After each of the first four speakers there is a 3 minute cross-questioning from a
member of the Opposing team.

The purpose of cross-questioning is:

a) to help reveal and point out the weaknesses in the argumentation of the
previous opposing speaker

b) to clarify unclear points from the previous speaker’s speech

c) to prepare room for argumentation of one’s team

The questioner asks and the addressed person responds. Questions and
responses must be brief and clear.

The information obtained during cross-questioning is used by the questioner’s

team in their subsequent speeches. The questioner may ask about anything
provided that s/he shows in the further course of the debate a connection
between the questions and the resolution debated. The addressed person may
refuse to answer personal questions.

Points for cross-questioning are actually represented in a distinct part of the

evaluation; the speakers will get points as individuals for cross-questioning.
Making use of the information obtained during cross-questioning is evaluated
under the strategy category.

FORMAT OF DEBATES

1st proposition Speaker

3rd Opposition Speaker cross-examines 1st proposition speaker
1st Opposition Speaker
3rd Proposition Speaker cross-examines the 1st Oppositions speaker
2nd Proposition Speaker
1st Opposition Speaker cross-examines the Second Proposition speaker
2nd Opposition Speaker
1st proposition speaker cross-examines the Second Opposition speaker
3rd Proposition Speaker 5 min
3rd Opposition Speaker 5 min