Debating Style
The tournament will be a standard 3-on-3 style with points of information and replies (known as ‘Worlds Schools Style’ or WSDC-style’). For those unfamiliar: Two teams of three will debate a topic, with each speaker speaking for 7 to 8 minutes.
Points of Information
Debaters may interject during the speeches of the opposing team by offering a ‘point of information’ (POI) which the speaker may accept or decline. If declined, the offeror must sit down silently. If accepted, they may ask a brief question regarding the subject matter of the debate lasting no more than 15 seconds in length. POIs may only be offered after the first and before the final minute of a speech. Points offered outside these times or of greater than 15 seconds duration will be called out of order by the adjudicator.
Reply Speeches
At the conclusion of the substantive speeches of the debate, a 3 to 4 minute reply speech will be given by a member from each team, in reverse order – i.e. negative first, then affirmative. Points of information may not be offered during these speeches and no new matter or rebuttal may be advanced. These reply speeches are used to characterise the major clash point of the debate and illustrate to the adjudicator why the speaker’s team has won each issue and therefore the debate.
Preferences
Before the beginning of each round both teams will be given a choice of three topics; teams will give each a preference from one to three. The last preference will be automatically vetoed. Here are some examples of how the preference system works:
|
Team 1 |
Team 2 |
Topic A |
3 |
1 |
Topic B |
1 |
2 |
Topic C |
2 |
3 |
|
Team 1 |
Team 2 |
Topic A |
1 |
1 |
Topic B |
2 |
2 |
Topic C |
3 |
3 |
|
Team 1 |
Team 2 |
Topic A |
2 |
1 |
Topic B |
1 |
2 |
Topic C |
3 |
3 |
In this situation a coin toss would decide the topic.
Teams will be given 30 minutes to decide the topic and prepare for the debate.