An Overview

The Debate Format

Students prepare their cases and speeches before arriving at the tournament. Debates start with a 10-minute revision period. Teams take turns presenting speeches, starting with the first position speaker. Teams may engage with their opponents by countering their arguments and defending their own points when challenged. Additionally, participants can interject with Points of Information (POI) to question their opponents' arguments.

Students are scored on their presentation, content and strategy.

of debate
5 rounds
per team
3 debaters
per speech
4 minutes

Scoring criteria

Our scoring criteria should be familiar to debaters from any format. We may use slightly different phrases, but the concepts are universal. It is important that each aspect is looked at in isolation. A speaker’s presentation ability, for example, should not influence our opinion of their content.

We will discuss the finer details of how to score a speech at our adjudication and coaching workshop. The workshop is scheduled for 26 July 2023 from 3pm to 5pm at Western Province Preparatory School.

Strategy
  • With strategy, we evaluate the conclusions a speaker chooses to prove. Are these conclusions relevant to the discussion being had? Do they contradict a different part of their team’s case?
  • We also look at the structure of their speech and whether their arguments are being raised at the right time.
  • Engagement, through rebuttal and Points of Information are important ways to strategically position a team’s case and are the key differentiator between debating and public speaking.
Content
  • Content looks at how persuasive the explanation for an argument is.
  • The most important aspect is how a speaker got to their conclusions. Did they fully explain the link between the premise and conclusion?
  • The clarity of an argument can be enhanced using contextualization, illustrative examples and comparisons.
  • Statistics, examples, and other forms of research can add authority to an argument.
Style
  • Style looks at a speaker’s ability to use their voice, verbal language, and body language to enhance the persuasiveness of their case.
  • Body language, like eye contact and gestures, can be used to connect with the audience.
  • Verbal language can be used to create evocative images enhance the impact of an idea.
  • Projecting a confident image can enhance trust in a speaker’s content.
  • It is important to guard against cultural bias. Africa is a diverse place with hundreds of accents and mannerisms. No particular accent is “correct”, and more “familiar” stylistic traits should be viewed with extra scrutiny.

Planning your case

What do we expect from each speaker?

Proposition Overview

  • Your job is to show why we should follow a specific idea or take a certain policy. Pretend you're suggesting a new rule for a group.

Opposition Overview

  • Your job is to explain why the other team's idea isn't good enough and why we shouldn't follow their rule or policy.

Proposition 1st Speaker

  • Explain what the debate is about and why it's important.
  • Make sure everyone understands the main words and ideas.
  • Tell us what your team needs to prove.
  • List your team's arguments and explain them.

Opposition 1st Speaker

  • Talk about what the other team might have missed.
  • Tell us why your team disagrees.
  • List your team's arguments and explain them.

Proposition 2nd Speaker

  • Respond to the other team's arguments and defend your own.
  • Remind the audience of your team's main points.
  • Explain new arguments that support your team's position.

Opposition 2nd Speaker

  • Respond to the other team's arguments and defend your own.
  • Remind the audience of your team's main points.
  • Explain new arguments that support your team's position.

Proposition 3rd Speaker

  • Defend your team's points and respond to the other team's arguments.

Opposition 3rd Speaker

  • Defend your team's points and respond to the other team's arguments.

Can you interrupt your opponents?

Yes, we call this a Point of Information (POI). You can ask the speaker a question or introduce a new idea for them to engage with. Stand up and say, “Point of Information” and wait for the speaker to decide if they will accept or decline your POI.
You cannot offer a POI in the first or final minute of a speaker’s speech.
keep the interruption civil
Be polite
per Point of Information (POI)
15 seconds
recommended per speech
2 POIs