Debating Rules

Basic Rules:

• The first minute of each speaker time is ‘protected’ so they cannot be challenged.

• The second minute is ‘unprotected’ and they may receive a ‘point of information’ from anyone on the opposing team.

• The final minute is also ‘protected’.

• During the ‘unprotected’ minute, any member of the challenging team may stand and offer a ‘point of information’ where they challenge a failure in the speaker’s argument. This must be brief. The speaker, however, may choose whether or not to accept, though they will receive marks for accepting a few.
  

• The Summary Speaker DOES NOT make new points but sums up those of their side and rebut points made by their challengers.

Intro:

• Chair person welcomes all and introduces debate.

• Invites speaker one of the proposition to begin.

• Chair explains that each speaker will have three minutes.

Speaker One of Proposition:

• It is vital that he/she defines the parameters of the debate e.g. “By censorship we mean the banning of…"

• Speaker One makes three points and tells their listeners what those points will be during their opening.

Speaker One of Opposition:

• Introduces their three points but may chose to ‘indulge in some rebuttal’ on points brought up by speaker one of proposition.

Speaker Two of Proposition:

• As above (three points + rebuttal)

Speaker Two of Opposition:

• As above (three points + rebuttal)

Summary Speaker of Proposition:

• The Summary Speaker DOES NOT make new points but sums up those of their side and rebut points made by their challengers.

Summary Speaker of Opposition:

• As above.

Chair opens the debate to the floor.