Debate

Rules and Regulations

• The proposition and opposition for the debate will be decided by a

toss.
• The proposition starts the debate.
• One speaker of the team makes the opening speech while the other
makes the closing speech.
• Personal comments of any kind directed against the opposite team are
strictly prohibited.
• Participants cannot comment on the opposite team’s stance or
statements made in any previous debates of the competition.
• Negative marking for exceeding time limit.
• Use of slang language should be avoided. Strict use of English
language.
• Participants will be judged on the following criteria:
1) Content
2) Presentation
3) Use of quotation
4) Team-work
5) Body language
6) Diction and vocal delivery
7) Logical illustration & analysis
8) Discipline
9) Time deadline followed
• Discrepancies of any sort during the debate will be resolved at the
moderator’s discretion. The decision will be final and binding.
 Special Rules
• A crowd interaction will occur if the situation demands it.
• Topics for the quarters, semis and finals will be provided on the spot to the
qualifying teams and time will be given for preparations.
• Some special rules will be declared during the semis and finals dynamically.
• The judges may ask questions to the participants if they wish to.
 Time Stipulations
Eliminations-Round:
• 5 mins time will be given for preparation.
• Each team will be given 3 mins time to put up their points without the
interruption of the opposing team.
• Warning bell after 2 mins 45 secs.
• No new points can be introduced after the warning bell. A contestant
can however complete his/her current point and summarize.

Quarter-finals:
• 5 mins time will be given for preparation.
• 1 minute opening speech for each team.
• 4 mins of debating time.
• Warning bell at 3 mins 45 secs.
• No new point to be made after the warning bell. A contestant can
however complete his current point and summarize.
• 1 min for conclusion given to each team.

Semi-Finals:
• 1 min 30 secs opening speech for each team.
• Warning bell at 1 minute 15 seconds.(1 bell)
• 6 minutes of debating time.
• Warning bell at 5 minutes 45 seconds.(2 bells)
• No new points can be introduced after the bell. A contestant can
however complete his current point and summarize.
• Same time stipulations apply for the conclusion as stated for the
introduction.

Finals:
• 1 min 30 secs opening speech for each team.
• Warning bell at 1 minute 15 seconds.(1 bell)
• 8 minutes of debating time.
• Warning bell at 7 minutes 45 seconds.(2 bells)
• No new points can be introduced after the bell. A contestant can
however complete his current point and summarize.
• Same time stipulations apply for the conclusion as stated for the
introduction.
• Q&A round for 2 mins.
 Format of the Competition

The debate will comprise of 4 rounds:

1) Eliminations (Top 8 teams go through).
2) Quarter-finals (Top 4 teams go through).
3) Semi Finals. (Top 2 teams go through).
4) Finals.

Advantage:

• A team can refuse the opponent team to speak on any two

points during the debate. The prohibited points should be
specific.
• Each team can use the advantage only once.
• If a team wants to make use of the advantage, it should
inform the judges after the topic is allotted and before the
debate starts.
• The team should also inform, before the starting of debate,
which are the two points that the opponent team is not
supposed to speak on.
• Decision of the moderators will be final and binding.

All the Best from Team Symphony!

Contact No’s:
Event Heads
Ronak 9920547671
Jinal 9869266788