The Middle School Public Debate Program Format

(MSPDP)

  • Topics are announced 2 – 4 weeks before debate is held.
  • While most topics are extemporaneous (ones you can prepare for), impromptu (ones you don’t know beforehand) topics can also be given.
  • Two teams make up the debate: the proposition and the opposition.
  • Each team has 3 students.
  • One student is first speaker, one is second speaker and the third is the team’s rebuttal speaker.

Speaking Order and speaking time limits:

First Speaker, Proposition Team – 5 minutes

First speaker, Opposition Team – 5 minutes

Second Speaker, Proposition Team – 5 minutes

Second Speaker, Opposition Team – 5 minutes

Rebuttal Speaker, Opposition Team – 3 minutes

Rebuttal Speaker, Proposition Team – 3 minutes

The first four speeches are called constructive speeches. In these, each team will construct, or build, its arguments. The final two speeches (rebuttals) are summaries in which the debaters make the best case for their side and eliminate the major points of the other team. No new arguments are permitted in the rebuttal speeches.

Debate Materials

During prep time, students may review any information that would help them prepare for a debate. Once the debate begins, students may not review or use any materials that were not prepared during the prep period. Students may not read prepared speeches in a debate.

Points of Information (POI) and Heckling

POI: A request to the speaker to surrender some of his/her speaking time for a comment or question by the opposing team.

The speaker may accept or reject a POI. If accepted, a POI cannot last longer than 15 seconds. The person making the POI must not interrupt the speaker’s answer or make follow-up questions or comments unless the speaker agrees to another POI.

Heckle: An interruption of a speaker during his/her presentation.

MSPDP encourages responsible heckling. Students can heckle to applaud teammates and opponents before and after their speeches. Heckling is done by slapping one’s hand on the table 3-4 times. It is like applause and shows respect for all participants. They may also shout “Hear! Hear!” when they agree with a statement or “Shame!” when they strongly disagree with a statement.

*Use POIs and heckling strategically, not as a constant interruption.