Random motion generator

How to use the random motion generator

Press “Draw a motion” to pick a debate topic at random. Filter by motion type to practise a particular kind of motion: policy motions (This House would), value motions (This House believes that), regret, support or oppose, preference and actor motions, or American-style “Resolved:” topics from NSDA. You can also pick a theme, choose school or university tournaments, or draw only motions that came with an info slide. Tournament motions come from real competitions in the Motion Bank, and the info slide appears under the motion when there is one. Sides are assigned at random; press “Flip sides” to swap them. When you are ready, “Start prep timer” opens the timer in prep mode.

What the wording of a motion means

• This House would… asks whether a policy should be carried out. The Proposition usually gives a short plan for how it would work.
• This House believes that… asks whether a statement is true or right. No plan is needed; both sides argue about values and evidence.
• This House regrets… asks whether the world would be better if something had not happened, such as the rise of a technology or a trend.
• This House supports / opposes… asks whether a movement, idea or trend is good overall.
• This House, as X, would… asks you to argue from the point of view of a particular person or group, judged by their own interests.

How to prepare a motion in 15 minutes

1. Minute 0 to 2: define it. Agree on what the motion means and what each side has to prove.
2. Minute 2 to 5: list stakeholders. Who is affected? Think of the people, the state, businesses and the wider world.
3. Minute 5 to 10: build two or three arguments. For each, write the claim, why it is true, and why it matters most.
4. Minute 10 to 13: predict the other side. Write down their strongest argument and your answer to it.
5. Minute 13 to 15: split the speeches. Decide who says what, so you do not repeat each other.

Questions