DEBATE RULES AND FORMAT:
RULES: Rules of Debate(condensed from Competitive Debate: Rules and Techniques,
by George McCoy Musgrave. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1957)
1. In a debate, there are 2 opposing teams, consisting of 2-3 speakers
2. Both teams should have two or three constructive speeches as well as two or three rebuttal
speeches. The affirmative makes the first constructive speech, followed by rebuttals in
sequential manner, beginning with the negative, then the affirmative, and so on.
Note: The affirmative has the first and last speech of the debate.
3. When worded as a policy proposition, the topic necessitates the affirmative to support some
specific action by some specific individual or group. The affirmative has the authority to define
each of the proposition's terms in any way it sees fit.
Note: If the negative doubted the reasonableness of an affirmative definition, the judge must accept
the definition of the team that provides better grounds for its interpretation of the term.
4. The affirmative must advocate for everything that the topic requires. During the debate, any
changes in team position is not permitted.
5. Whoever asserts must prove it.
To establish an assertion, the team must:
- Provide enough evidence and logic.
- Facts provided must be correct and relevant.
- Visual materials are allowed, however, once introduced The opposing team will also be able
to use it (if desired).
Note: Your assertion must contain these in order to persuade your audience that your assertion
is more reasonable.
6. During the questioning period, the questioner may ask any fair and clear question about the
debate. The questioner may use the period to his advantage by building up any part of his case
through question at the same time, dismantle the opponent’s case.
Note: The questioner must limit himself to asking questions and refrain from making statements,
comments, or asking rhetorical questions.
7. Speakers are questioned after concluding their constructive speeches and the witness must
respond to the questions without consulting his teammates.
8. During the rebuttal period, no new constructive arguments may be presented. If possible, the
affirmative should respond to the major negative arguments before the final rebuttal.
9. The judge must base his decision entirely on the material presented, with no regard for any
other material he may have.
10. Any gains made outside of the established procedure are disallowed.
Source: http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~karchung/debate1.htm
FORMAT:
A formal debate typically consists of three groups:
- one supporting a resolution (affirmative team)
- one opposing the resolution (opposing team)
- judging the quality of the evidence and arguments as well as the debate performance.
Standard format of a debate:
^ The affirmative team begins the debate by presenting their arguments, followed by a member of the
opposing team. This pattern is repeated for each team's second speaker. Finally, each team has the
opportunity to refute the opponent's arguments.
According to the source, a typical sequence for debate is as follows:
1. the first speaker on the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution.
2. Followed by the first speaker of the opposing team which will present an argument opposing
the argument.
3. The second speaker on the affirmative team presents additional arguments in support of the
resolution, identifies areas of disagreement, and answers any questions raised by the opposition
speaker.
4. Same with the second speaker on the opposing team they are given time to present additional
arguments opposing the resolution, identifies further areas of conflict, and answers questions
that may have been raised by the previous affirmative speaker.
5. The rules may include a short recess for teams to prepare their rebuttals.
6. The opposing team starts with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing arguments and
defeat the supporting arguments without introducing any new information.
7. First rebuttal of the affirmative team
8. For closing statements, each team makes a second rebuttal, with the affirmative team having
the final opportunity to speak.
9. There must be no interruptions. Speakers must take turns speaking. The rules may need to be
enforced by the teacher.
ADDITIONAL: Allow time for debriefing and discussion after the formal debate. Members of the
audience should be allowed to ask questions and share their thoughts and opinions on the arguments
presented.
SOURCE: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame_found_sr2/tns/tn-13.pdf
Team policy debate:
^ follows the standard format of debate with 4 constructive speeches and 4 rebuttal speeches.
Resolution:
Team policy debate resolutions are always of a policy nature, typically governmental policy. The
affirmative team almost always defends the resolution with a specific example, known as a "case"; if
they can show that the example (case) is true, then the general proposition is also shown to be true.
Lincoln- Douglas debate:
^ The name and format for this style of debate were inspired by the famous debates between senatorial
candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1850s. A round of L-D debate consists of five
speeches and two cross-examination periods.
1. Affirmatives present their argument first
2. Followed by a cross examination of Affirmation by Negative.
3. Then opposing team presents their argument
4. Followed by a cross examination of Negative by Affirmation.
5. Then the affirmative starts the rebuttal speech
6. Followed by the negative
7. And ended by the Affirmation team
Note: The Affirmative has more speeches than the Negative, but they both speak for the same amount
of time (13 minutes).
Resolution:
In L-D debate, resolutions are typically stated as value propositions. Although the proposals are
occasionally related to policy issues.
NDT debate:
^ The acronym NDT stands for National Debate Tournament. This is the most traditional and likely most
popular type of debate at the college level. It follows the standard format of debate just like the team
policy debate.
CEDA debate:
^ CEDA is a two-on-two debate with a similar structure to NDT and team policy debate. The distinction is
in the resolution style; CEDA was designed to be a values-driven debate.
Parliamentary debate:
^ A round of parliamentary debate consists of six speeches: four constructive speeches and two
rebuttal speeches.
Note: The proposition team is known as the "Government," and the opposition team is known as the
"Opposition." The Government team is made up of two debaters, the Prime Minister (PM) and the
Member of Government (MG). The Opposition team also includes two debaters, the Leader of the
Opposition (LO) and the Opposition Member (MO).
1. It is started by the Prime minister’s constructive speech
2. Followed by the Leader of the opposition’s constructive speech
3. Then the member of the government comes next in giving his/her constructive speech
4. Ending the constructive speech by the member of the opposition.
5. The leader of the opposition will start the presentation of rebuttals
6. The Prime minister will give the last rebuttal.
SOURCE: http://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/debformats.html
