The Procedure
The Main Rules
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Two schools will take part in each debate.
Each debate will take about 30 to 40 minutes.
One school will propose the motion.
The other school will oppose the motion.
Each school will have a debating team of four pupils, if possible two girls and
two boys.
Each school will have two main speakers on the platform – the 1st speaker
and 2nd speaker.
Each school will have two additional speakers on the platform – the 3rd speaker
and the 4th speaker.
How the debate will proceed with 1st and 2nd speakers
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The school proposing the motion (school A) will begin the debate.
The 1st speaker will propose the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to 3 or 4 minutes.
After 3 minutes a yellow light will appear followed one minute later by a red
light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The school opposing the motion (school B) will then follow.
Their 1st speaker will oppose the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to 3 or 4 minutes.
After 3 minutes a yellow light will appear followed one minute later by a red
light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The 2nd speaker (from school A) will second the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to 3 or 4 minutes.
After 3 minutes a yellow light will appear followed one minute later by a red
light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The 2nd speaker (from school B) will oppose the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to 3 or 4 minutes.
After 3 minutes a yellow light will appear followed one minute later by a red
light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
How the debate will then proceed with 3rd and 4th speakers
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The 3rd speaker (from school A) will speak for the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to one minute.
A yellow light will appear after thirty seconds, followed 30 seconds later by a
red light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The 3rd speaker (from school B) will speak opposing the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to one minute.
A yellow light will appear after thirty seconds, followed 30 seconds later by a
red light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The 4th speaker (from school A) will speak for the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to one minute.
A yellow light will appear after thirty seconds, followed 30 seconds later by a
red light which signals that the speaker is required to finish and sit down.
The 4th speaker (from school B) will speak opposing the motion.
They may speak from the platform without interruption.
They may speak for up to one minute.
A yellow light will appear after thirty seconds, followed 30 seconds later by a
red light which signals that the speaker must finish and sit down.
How the debate will further proceed – with contributions from the
floor
At the discretion of the Chair and depending on the time available the Chair will invite
any additional contributions from the floor of the house.
Vote
If time permits the chair will call for a vote which may be made with a show of hands
or by the use of voting counters.