- 3 vs 3Proposition and Opposition
- 8 speeches6 main speeches and 2 replies
- 8 mineach main speech
- 4 mineach reply speech
- 1 hourprep for impromptu motions
Speech order
The sides take turns, Proposition first. After the six main speeches comes a reply speech from each side, and here the order flips: Opposition replies first, so Proposition has the last word.
- 1st Proposition8 minutes
- 1st Opposition8 minutes
- 2nd Proposition8 minutes
- 2nd Opposition8 minutes
- 3rd Proposition8 minutes
- 3rd Opposition8 minutes
- Opposition reply4 minutes, by the 1st or 2nd speaker
- Proposition reply4 minutes, by the 1st or 2nd speaker
Bells: a single bell (or knock) at 1:00 and 7:00 marks the window for points of information, and a double bell at 8:00 means time is up. Speakers usually get a short grace period, around 15 to 20 seconds, to finish their sentence.
What each speaker does
1st Proposition
- Defines the motion and explains what the team is proposing (the model).
- Sets out what Proposition has to prove.
- Presents the first one or two arguments.
- Says what the 2nd speaker will cover (the team split).
1st Opposition
- Accepts the definition, or challenges it only if it is unfair.
- Rebuts the 1st Proposition's arguments.
- Sets out Opposition's stance and the first arguments of its case.
2nd Proposition
- Rebuts Opposition, starting with their strongest point.
- Rebuilds anything of their own case that was attacked.
- Adds the rest of the team's arguments.
2nd Opposition
- Rebuts Proposition's case so far.
- Defends and extends Opposition's case with new arguments.
3rd Proposition
- Mostly rebuttal, organized around the main clashes of the debate.
- Shows why Proposition is winning each clash.
- Brings no big new arguments; new examples and deeper analysis are fine.
3rd Opposition
- Same job as the 3rd Proposition: clash by clash, why Opposition is ahead.
- This is the last chance to answer Proposition's material in depth.
Reply speeches
- Given by the 1st or 2nd speaker, never the 3rd.
- A look back at the whole debate: what the key questions were and why your side won them.
- No new arguments. A fair, calm comparison usually scores best.
Points of information
A point of information (POI) is a short question or comment offered to the speaker from the other side. The person offering it stands and says "Point of information" or "On that point". The speaker can accept it or decline it with a word or a wave.
- POIs can only be offered between the 1st and 7th minute of a main speech. The first and last minute are protected time.
- There are no POIs in reply speeches.
- A good speaker takes one or two POIs per speech. Refusing them all looks evasive; taking too many loses control of the speech.
- A POI should be short, about 15 seconds. It is a question or a sharp point, not a speech.
Prepared and impromptu motions
World Schools tournaments use two kinds of motions. Prepared motions are announced weeks before the tournament so teams can research them. Impromptu motions are announced one hour before the round, and teams prepare on their own, without coaches or the internet.
Motions come in a few common shapes. "This House would" (THW) asks for a policy or action. "This House believes that" (THBT) asks for a judgment. "This House regrets" (THR) looks back at something that happened. "This House supports" and "This House opposes" ask for a stance on a trend or movement. Browse real ones in the WSDC motions by year or the Motion Bank.
How judges score
Judges score each speech in three parts, then decide which team won. At the World Schools Debating Championship the marks are split like this:
| Category | Weight | What it covers | Main speech range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | 40% | How it is said: clarity, pace, eye contact, persuasion | 24 to 32 |
| Content | 40% | What is said: strength of arguments, evidence and rebuttal | 24 to 32 |
| Strategy | 20% | Structure, timing, understanding the key issues, POIs | 12 to 16 |
| Total | 100% | A main speech is marked out of 100, but in practice scores run from 60 to 80, with 70 as average | 60 to 80 |
Reply speeches are marked the same way at half the size, out of 50, with scores from 30 to 40. The team with the higher total wins, and a panel of judges decides by majority.
Tips and common mistakes
- Engage, don't just read. Style is 40% of the mark. Look up from your notes and talk to the judges.
- Answer the best version of the other side. Rebutting a weak point you made up wins nothing.
- Third speakers: organize by clash. Two or three big questions beat a list of everything that was said.
- Reply speakers: be fair. A reply that sounds like a fourth rebuttal, or brings new arguments, loses marks.
- Use your hour. In impromptu prep, agree on the definition and the split first, then build arguments.
Key terms
- Model
- Proposition's plan for how the motion would work in practice.
- Burden
- What a side must prove to win the debate.
- Team split
- How a team divides its arguments between its speakers.
- Clash
- A point where the two sides directly disagree.
- Protected time
- The first and last minute of a main speech, when no POIs are allowed.
- Squirreling
- Defining a motion in an unfair way to avoid the real debate.
Where it is used
The World Schools Debating Championship has been held every year since 1988, with national teams from countries around the world. The format is also used by many national school championships and international invitationals, such as the Harvard College World Schools Invitational, and many schools use it in class because every student on a team gets to speak.