Some notes on how to organise a debating society style debate

Debate Structure
Reading of the proposition
Initial vote
Possible votes:
in favour of the proposition
against the proposition
abstention
Vote is taken by a show of hands
Table speeches (max 28 mins)
1st speech for the proposition (max 7 minutes)
1st speech for the opposition (max 7 minutes)
2nd speech for the proposition (max 7 minutes)
2nd speech for the opposition (max 7 minutes)
Floor speeches (max 20 mins)
Each speech (max 3 minutes)
Summation speeches (max 10 mins)
speech for the opposition (max 5 minutes)
speech for the proposition (max 5 minutes)
The vote
Possible votes:
in favour of the proposition
against the proposition
abstention
Victory can be absolute or relative. It is relative if the winning team has less than 50% of
votes, or if they have fewer votes than in the initial vote.
Summing up

Debate officers and debaters

Chairperson
Time keeper
1st proposer
2nd proposer
1st opposer
2nd opposer

Some notes on how to organise a debating society style debate

Speaking & intervening

Table speeches
The proposition speech should not only explain the reasons for the proposition but also
explain something of how it would work in practice.
The task of the opposition is to explain why the proposition is wrong. It can offer an
alternative or argue in favour of the status quo.
Floor speeches
These may be in favour of the proposition or of the opposition, or they may dissent with
one or both. They may be a question for one or both sides. A prize is given for the best
floor speech.
Summation speeches
Summation speeches summarise the case and answer any questions left unanswered
during the floor debate.
Protected time
All the speeches have a protected time:
table speeches and floor speeches have 1 minute at the beginning and 1 minute at the
end.
summation speeches are protected for their duration.
During the 'protected time' questions and points of information are not allowed, but 'points
of order' are allowed.
Points of information
A point of information can be used to inform the debate of a fact. You can interrupt any
speech (except during 'protected time') with a point of information but this should not last
more than 15 seconds.
Points of order
A point of order is used to interrupt debate when the rules or conventions of debate are
broken. The chairperson must intervene to resolve the problem.
Making a point of information or order
Stand up and say point of information / order!. Then wait for the Chairperson to indicate
that you may speak.

Notes
These rules are my personal adaption of the standard rules of debating for use in my ELT
classes at CLA Roma Tre University. My sources were:
UCLU Debating Society | Rules of Debating
The Oxford Union - Forms of the House in Debate
Debate - Wikipedia