BEST OFFICIAL WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE RULES Adapted from official World Schools Debate Championship Rules *Please read this entire document thoroughly. CONTENTS I. Vocabulary II. Acceptable Team Structure III. Format Information IV. Speakers/Order Speaking Order and Speaker Times Speaking Responsibilities V. Points of Information VI. Judges VII. The Judging VIII. Marking Standards IX. Motions X. Language XI. Abusive Behavior During a Debate Round XII. Acceptable Observer Behavior During Round XIII. Research/Internet Use/Outside Help 1
I. Vocabulary Argument: A claim supported by evidence and linkage to the value which each side uses to show that the resolution is correct or incorrect. Barracking: An illegal tactic when members of the opposing teams use an excessive amount of points for their arguments, leaving the other team little time to cover all of them. (See Point of Order) Case: The main arguments of each side. Case Division: The arguments in the case that show the differences between the two sides. Definition: Explanations of most important words in the resolution, typically given by the Government and clarified, agreed to, or rejected (if definitions are out of scope, also called abusive definitions ) by the Opposition, which clarifies the scope of the debate. Dropped Argument: When an argument started by one side is not expanded upon fully throughout the entire debate, or not responded to by the other side. Judges consider dropped arguments in deciding which side has made a stronger case in the debate. If Speaker 1 introduces an argument, which is not mentioned and/or extended at all by speaker 2 of the same team, regardless of whether it was mentioned by speaker 3 or not, it is dropped. If Speakers 1 and 2 introduce and extend an argument, which is not mentioned by the third speaker, it is also dropped. In that case, the argument was dropped by their team as it was not carried out throughout the whole team line. If Speaker 1 of the Government introduces an argument which is not responded to by Speaker 1 of the Opposition, the argument is dropped. This means the other team wins that argument. The same can be said if Speaker 2 from the Government fails to respond to all of the arguments from Speaker 1 of the Opposition. Finals: Round in which the top two debate teams face each other. The third and fourth teams (the losing teams from the semi-final round) will also face each other to determine final tournament rankings. Government/Proposition: In favor of the motion. Motion/Resolution: The topic which is debated in the round. Opening: The first speeches, which present the main arguments of each side, set the definitions of the round, and make the value of each side clear. Point of Order: A time during a speech where a member of the other side may stand and tell the judge that a rule has been broken. For example, this may happen during barracking or if a speaker presents new points in the second rebuttal/final speech. Points of Clash: Summary of arguments, given by G3 and O3, which caused the most disagreement between the Proposition and Opposition sides during the debate. Preliminary ( Prelims ): Rounds that take place prior to the semi-finals or finals. Typically, BEST tournaments have two prelim rounds in interp events and three prelim rounds in debate. Semi-Finals ( Semis ): Round to which the top four debate teams advance. Semi-final breaks are determined by your scores from your prelim rounds. Speaker Points: Points, from 0-100, given to each speaker based on his/her performance. Speech: A chance for the affirmative or negative to express their viewpoints using outlines and 2
evidence, without using pre-written paragraphs. Tab Room: Where staff and volunteers review ballots and input student scores after each round. II. Acceptable Team Structure Debate teams must consist of only three students. Teams may not exchange team members or alternate students from a team during a tournament. After a registered team has completed a debate round, no changes to that team may be made. Only students from the VIII and IX classes may compete in the Novice Division. Students in X, XI, and XII classes MUST compete in the Varsity Division. Students from VIII and IX classes may choose to compete up in Varsity if students and their coaches believe it is appropriate to do so. If at least one student on a debate team is in X, XI, or XII class, the entire team must compete in the Varsity Division. Students cannot double enter with Debate during a tournament. III. Format Information Three speakers in each team/side (affirmative or Government/Proposition and negative or Opposition). Two teams face each other in each debate. After all speakers have spoken once, the first or second speaker for each side gives a reply speech, with the opposition reply going first and the proposition second. (See Speaking Order and Speaking Times below.) Speaking time for speeches is 8 minutes, and 4 minutes for reply speeches. The method of signalling timing for speakers is at the discretion of BEST. In addition to time signals referred to above, the team members may give time signals to a speaker provided that the signals are discreet and unobtrusive. Before a debate begins, each team must inform the chairperson of the names of their three speakers and the order in which they will be speaking. The only persons who may speak in a debate are the three speakers for each team announced by the judge at the start of that debate. During a debate, speakers may not communicate with their coach, other team members who are not speaking in that debate, or any person in the audience, except to receive time signals. At the end of the preliminary rounds, teams shall be ranked according to the number of wins. If teams are tied on the same number of wins, they shall be separated where practicable by elimination debates and otherwise on the following priority: number of adjudications in favour of the team; then average judges' scores for each team Prep time: There will be NO PREP TIME for a standard debate. Teams should be prepared with their evidence and cases to go into a round. The topic will be posted on 3
the schematic before the round begins to help students get ready. If they are IMPROMPTU debates, teams will have half an hour to prepare. IV. Speakers/Order There are three speakers for each side during a debate; three speakers for the Government and three speakers for the Opposition. Speaking Order and Speaker Times 1. First speaker of the Government (G1) (8 minutes) 2. First speaker of the Opposition (O1) (8 minutes) 3. Second speaker of the Government (G2) (8 minutes) 4. Second speaker of the Opposition (O2) (8 minutes) 5. Third speaker of the Government (G3) (8 minutes) 6. Third speaker of the Opposition (O3) (8 minutes) 7. Reply speaker of the Opposition, given either by first or second speaker (O4) (4 minutes) 8. Reply speaker of the Government, given either by the first or second speaker (G4) (4 minutes) Speaking Responsibilities All Speakers: Should stand in the center-front of the room and face judges when speaking. They should address everybody, not just the opposing team. During a speech, other team members should remain quiet or take notes. If it is necessary to communicate with one another, teams should be as quiet and as respectful as possible. If there is a need for a team member to communicate with the current speaker, they may silently pass notes to the current speaker. However, they can neither verbally interrupt nor help the current speaker during a speech. Judges have the right to punish disrespectful teams or interrupting teams by giving a verbal warning, then by lowering speaker points. First speaker of the Government: 8 minutes Must define the topic The Proposition may define the topic in any way provided that the definition: is reasonably close to the plain meaning of the topic allows the opposition team reasonable room to debate is not tautological or truistic is otherwise a reasonable definition Establish the issues for the debate (typically 4-6 arguments) Outline the proposition case Announce the case division between the speakers Present his or her part of the proposition case First speaker of the Opposition: 8 minutes Must challenge the definition if necessary 4
The first Opposition may challenge the definition only if it does not conform to standards mentioned above. If they challenge the definition, the first opposition must propose a new definition that conforms to the standards. If the first opposition does not challenge the definition, the opposition is taken to have accepted the definition and the opposition may not challenge the definition in any other speech unless the proposition significantly alters the definition in their subsequent speeches. Present an alternative definition if the definition is challenged Respond to the proposition case Outline the Opposition case Announce the case division, and present his or her part of the opposition case. The opposition team may produce a positive choice of its own, or merely attack the case presented by the proposition. If it chooses to produce a positive case of its own, it must in fact produce that case through its speeches, and not concentrate solely on attacking the case presented by the proposition. Second speaker of the Government: 8 minutes Must deal with the definition if it has been challenged If the second proposition does not challenge a re-definition of the debate made by the first opposition, the proposition is taken to have accepted the opposition's re-definition and no further challenges to the definition may be made. Respond to the opposition case Continue with the proposition case as outlined by the first speaker Second speaker of the Opposition: 8 minutes Must deal with the definition if it is still an issue Respond to the proposition case Continue with the opposition case as outlined by the first speaker Third speakers of both the Government and Opposition: 8 minutes each The role of both third speakers is to deal with the definition if it is still in issue, and respond to the other team's case The third speaker of either team may have a small part of the team's case to present, but this is not obligatory as the third speaker's primary role is to respond to what has gone before in the debate If the third speaker is to present a part of the team's case, this must be announced in the case division by the first speaker Reply Speeches: 4 minutes each Sum up the debate from the team's viewpoint, including a response to the other team's overall case and a summary of the speaker's own team s case The reply speaker may be either the first or second speaker of the team, but not the third The reply speakers are in reverse order, with the opposition reply first and the proposition reply last Neither reply speaker may introduce a new part of the team case. A reply speaker may respond to an existing argument by raising a new example that illustrates that argument, but may not otherwise introduce a new argument. 5
Other notes: The proposition team does not have to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, but merely that its case is true in the majority of cases or as a general proposition. The opposition team must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the proposition case fails to prove the resolution. Where the topic is expressed as an absolute, the proposition must prove the topic true in the significant majority of cases, but not in every single conceivable instance. Where the topic is expressed as an absolute, the opposition must do more than present a single instance where the topic is not true, and prove that it is not true for at least a significant minority of cases. V. Points of Information Between the first and seventh minutes of a speaker's substantive speech, members of the other team may offer points of information. The purpose of a point of information is to make a short point or ask a short question of the speaker. Points of information need not be addressed through the person chairing the debate, and may be in the form of a question. A point of information should be brief, and no longer than 15 seconds. Points of information are an important part of the clash between the teams, and enable speakers to remain a part of the debate even when they are not making a speech. A speaker should offer points of information both before and after that speaker has given his or her substantive speech. The speaker has the absolute right to refuse to accept a point of information, or to accept it only at the end of the next sentence. However, a speaker is obliged to accept some points of information, provided that they have been offered at reasonable times in the speaker's speech. As a general rule a speaker should accept at least 2 points of information in his or her speech. But a speaker who accepts a significantly greater number of points of information risks losing control of his or her speech. Members of the opposing team should not offer an excessive number of points of information to the point that they are barracking. As a general rule each team member should offer between 2 and 4 points of information per speech, and should not offer them within a short time of a previous point of information having been offered. The response by the speaker to a point of information should be included in the mark for that speaker's speech. The offering of points of information should be included in the mark for the speaker offering points. VI. Judges Judges shall not judge a team from their own school. A judge may judge the same competitor(s) more than once, provided that this occurs by chance and not be design. A debate is won by the team which has a majority of the votes of the judges. Any complaint about a judge in a particular round shall be made to Tab Room Staff as soon as possible after the alleged incident giving rise to the complaint. 6
We ask students always be accompanied by their Chaperone or Coach when reporting a complaint. Tab Room Staff may ask the complaint to be submitted in writing before further action is taken. Complaints shall include but are not necessarily restricted to one or more of the following: The judge has misdirected him/herself as to one or more of the rules of debate to a significant extent The judge has made remarks prior to, during or after a debate in a way that raises significant doubt as to his or her impartiality for that debate Upon receipt of a complaint, the Tab Room Staff shall determine: Whether the complaint can be resolved without further investigation How to resolve the complaint fully if it requires further investigation VII. The Judging Judges mark independently of each other, and should sit apart from each other during the debate so that they cannot see each other's ballots. At the end of the debate, the judges fill in their critique-sheets independently, and hand them to the person running the ballot table. If there is time between the beginning of the next round, judges may leave the room to confer about how to communicate feedback from the debate to the students and return to the room. The purpose of the conference is to brief one of the judges to give a short adjudication on behalf of all of the judges The adjudication should be short, and comment on significant matters of debate style or technique that were displayed in the debate The adjudication may offer to highlight each team s (and each member s) strengths and offer areas for improvement, as long as it includes specific examples and strategies of how to improve or mitigate noted weaknesses Adjudication should never, under any circumstances, reveal the results of the debate or the ranking of students To respect judges and students time, BEST advises adjudication to take between 3-6 minutes and never last longer than 10 minutes VIII. Marking Standards Each speaker's substantive speech is marked out of 100, with 40 for content, 40 for style and 20 for strategy. The reply speech is marked out of 50, with 20 for content, 20 for style and 10 for strategy Judges may not use any other marking standard or categories of marks. Content is the argument used by the speaker, divorced from the speaking style. 7
If an argument is weak it should be marked accordingly, even if the other team does not expose its weakness. In deciding the strength or weakness of an argument, judges should not be influenced by their own personal beliefs or specialised knowledge. Style is the way speakers speak. Judges should make allowance for different accents, speaking styles and debating terminology. In general, the use of palm-cards, lecterns, folders, notepads or other forms of speakers notes should not affect the mark a speaker is given. However, speakers should not read their speeches, but should use notes that they refer to only from time to time. Strategy covers two concepts: Whether the speaker understands what are the issues of the debate The structure and timing of the speaker's speech A speaker who answers the critical issues with weak responses should get poor marks for content but good marks for strategy IX. Motions BEST will select motions for each tournament BEST will release tournament motions at the beginning of each tournament year, no later than November Teams may access the selected annual motions on the BEST website and Facebook page Teams may access each tournament s motions on the Tournament Registration page via SpeechWire, as well as BEST s website and Facebook page after Tournament Registration opens Each tournament shall consist of both prepared and impromptu motions. The prepared motions will be specified at Tournament Registration. Students should have a well-rounded knowledge of international politics, social policy, governance, and ethics to prepare for impromptu rounds. X. Language All BEST debates shall be conducted in English only XI. Abusive Behavior During a Debate Round BEST wants both students and judges to be comfortable during a debate. Students should be assertive and challenge opponents arguments, but avoid doing so in a malicious or overly arrogant manner. Remember, the end goal is to promote a lively debate! If a judge believes that a debater is being abusive, the judge has the right to lower speaker points or give the debater s team a losing ballot. The following constitute abusive and unacceptable behavior: Laughing at, mocking, or taunting opponents for ANY reason. Use of excessive profanity or coarse language. 8
A d hominem attacks (i.e. labeling opponents as racist, sexist, etc.). XII. Acceptable Observer Behavior During Rounds Observers include coaches, students, chaperones, and other non-competing audience members. Other students and coaches may come and watch the round, but they are not allowed to help with research or participate in the debate in any form (other than timekeeping, if no others can be found for the job). Observers should not make hand motions, facial expressions, rude noises, or any other distracting gestures that may affect a debater s performance. These behaviors will not be tolerated, and judges have the right to ask an observer to leave, if it is felt the observer is hindering the debate. Students and coaches from one of the schools of the teams competing in a round MAY serve as timekeepers, but only as a last resort. Any distracting or disconcerting behaviors should be addressed promptly and firmly by judges. XIII. Research/Internet Use/Outside Help Students may NEVER use phones for anything other than keeping time during a debate Students may not consult non-team members for guidance, including other students, coaches, judges, chaperones, or debate observers at any point during the debate Students may not access the Internet during the round. All laptops, phones, or tablets should have their internet capability turned off (Airplane Mode). Teams accused of breaking the Internet-use rule are subject to disqualification or automatic loss in a round. While judges may present the issue, the tab room staff reserves the right to make the final call regarding accusations of rule-breaking Teams may bring notebooks, books, or other pre-printed or downloaded material on a laptop or tablet as part of their research. In order to avoid accusations of rule-breaking, students should show the judges any materials on laptops at the beginning of a round. As students' phones must be in Airplane Mode during a debate round, an audible incoming phone call (including vibration) will be viewed unfavorably by the judge, and may result in contributing to a team's loss in the round. Any complaint about Internet rule-breaking in a particular round shall be made to Tab Room Staff as soon as possible after the alleged incident giving rise to the complaint. We ask students always be accompanied by their Chaperone or Coach when reporting a complaint. Tab Room Staff may ask the complaint to be submitted in writing before further action is taken. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Tab Room Staff shall determine: Whether the complaint can be resolved without further investigation How to resolve the complaint fully if it requires further investigation Pre-written outlines are acceptable. However, pre-written FULL speeches will be docked points. 9
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