Debate Formats
There are numerous formats for debate and all are stimulating, challenging and interesting for
young people to debate in the classroom.
The two most popular debating formats in the UK are:
-
Mace Format
British Parliamentary Format
Both are explained in detail in this section. The Mace Format is the easiest format to understand
and the easiest to introduce to a classroom.
The British Parliamentary Format is also explained in depth – many competitions are contested
in this format, and can be a fun alternative to the Mace Format in debating society meetings.
Different formats of debate emphasise different strengths and are all worth trying!
Mace Format
Mace Format is arguably the easiest debate format to organise and understand. It is the format
used for the English-Speaking Union Schools’ Mace Competition and The Law Society of
Scotland’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.
Rules
There are 3 speeches on each side of the debate. The order of the speeches in a Mace Format
debate is:
-
First Proposition Speaker
First Opposition Speaker
Second Proposition Speaker
Second Opposition Speaker
Floor Debate
Opposition Summary Speaker
Proposition Summary Speaker
Although, there are three speeches on each side of the debate, in competitive debates one of
the speakers speaks twice (i.e. one of the main speakers also performs the Summary Speech.)
However, in Classroom Debating it is possible to include a third speaker on each side to do the
Summary Speech.
The reason the Opposition Summary Speaker speaks before the Proposition Speaker is to allow
the Proposition side an equal chance to rebut arguments. This promotes ‘clash’ between the
teams and leads to a much better debate.
The Floor Debate can last anywhere between 2 minutes and 10 minutes. The Summary Speakers
should write their speeches during the Floor Debate. If there are few contributions from the
Floor, the Chairperson should give the Summary Speakers a few minutes to write their speeches
(Summary speeches cannot be prepared in advance and have to be written during the debate).
Speakers are encouraged to offer and accept Points of Information during the main speeches
but Points of Information are not allowed during the Summary Speeches.
Speech Length
The length of speeches in a Mace Format Debate can be adjusted to fit the experience of the
debaters in question or to fit the time available for the debate.
Whatever the length of the speeches, some rules always apply. The four main substantive
speeches (First Proposition, First Opposition, Second Proposition, Second Opposition) should
have a set amount of time at the beginning and end ‘protected’ from Points of Information. The
start and end of unprotected time (i.e. the time when Points of Information can be offered)
should be signalled by a knock on the table or ring of a bell by the timekeeper.
For example, if the main substantive speeches are 3 minutes long, the first 30 seconds and the
last 30 seconds of the speech should be protected from Points of Information.
A double knock on the table is given by the timekeeper at the end of the allotted time (in this
example, 3 minutes). This is repeated if the debater is still speaking after a further 15 seconds.
After 30 extra seconds, the timekeeper should signal repeatedly and the Chairperson may ask
the speaker to conclude his or her speech.
If the main substantive speeches are 3 minutes long, the Summary Speeches should be 2
minutes long.
During the Summary Speeches no Points of Information may be offered, but a signal is still given
30 seconds from the end of the speech to indicate to the debater that they should begin to close
their remarks.
The table below provides a rough guide to suitable speech lengths:
Suitable For Years
Main Speech
P7-S1
S1-S3
S3-S5
S4-S6
2 minutes
3 minutes
5 minutes
7 minutes
Protected time at
each end
30 seconds
30 seconds
1 minute
1 minute
Summary Speech
1 minute 30 seconds
2 minutes
3 minutes
4 minutes
This is a rough guide as to a degree it is dependent on experience. Many S1-S3 pupils will be
able to speak for 5 minutes.
Role in the Debate:
Each team and each person has a specific role in the debate.
Chairperson(s) – The Chair welcomes the audience, briefly introduces the motion (the topic the
speakers are going to debate about) and introduces the speakers.
Timekeeper(s) – The Timekeeper’s role is to time each speech, signalling the start and end of
unprotected time and to note down the amount of time each speaker spoke for.
The Proposition Team – The proposition team has the job of persuading the audience why the
motion being debated should be supported.
The Opposition Team – The Opposition team has the job of persuading the audience why the
motion being debated should not be supported by critiquing the arguments put forward by the
proposition.
The Audience - The audience’s role in a standard Mace Format debate is to take part in the
Floor Debate. For Classroom Debating, there are a number of ways to get the audience involved
in other ways.
British Parliamentary Format
British Parliamentary Debate is the most common form of competitive debate in the UK. It is
used for the ESU Juniors’ Competition and for most University Union Schools Competitions. It is
slightly more nuanced than Mace Style and is a good challenge for more experienced debaters.
There are four teams in the debate – two on the proposition side, two on the opposition side.
Occasionally there will be six teams in a debate, three on each side.
Rules
Each of these teams is comprised of two speakers and each team has a very distinct role on the
table. The four teams are labelled
-
First Proposition (Comprising the First Proposition Speaker and Second Proposition
Speaker)
First Opposition (Comprising the First Opposition Speaker and Second Opposition
Speaker)
Second Proposition (Comprising the Third Proposition Speaker and Fourth Proposition
Speaker)
Second Opposition (Comprising the Third Opposition Speaker and Fourth Opposition
Speaker)
There are 4 speeches on each side of the debate. The order of the speeches in a British
Parliamentary is:
-
First Proposition Speaker
First Opposition Speaker
Second Proposition Speaker
Second Opposition Speaker
Third Proposition Speaker
Third Opposition Speaker
Fourth Proposition Speaker
Fourth Opposition Speaker
Speech Length
Like a Mace Format Debate, the length of speeches in a British Parliamentary Debate can be
adjusted to fit the experience of the debaters in question or to fit the time available for the
debate.
Whatever the length of the speeches, some rules always apply. All 8 speeches should have a set
amount of time at the beginning and end ‘protected’ from Points of Information. The start and
end of unprotected time should be signalled by a knock on the table or ring of a bell by the
timekeeper.
For example, if the main substantive speeches are 3 minutes long, the first 30 seconds and the
last 30 seconds of the speech should be protected from Points of Information.
A double knock on the table is given by the timekeeper at the end of the allotted time (in this
example, 3 minutes). This is repeated if the debater is still speaking after a further 15 seconds.
After 30 extra seconds, the timekeeper should signal repeatedly and the Chairperson may ask
the speaker to conclude his or her speech.
The table below provides a rough guide to suitable speech lengths:
Suitable
For Years
S1-S3
S3-S5
S4-S6
Main Speech
3 minutes
5 minutes
7 minutes
Protected time at
each end
30 seconds
1 minute
1 minute
This is a rough guide as many S1-S3 speakers will be able to speak for longer (for example,
speech lengths in the ESU Juniors competition are 5 minutes) but pupils new to debating will
cope better with shorter speeches.
Role in the Debate:
Each team and each person has a specific role in the debate.
Chairperson(s) – The Chair welcomes the audience, briefly introduces the motion (the topic the
speakers are going to debate about) and introduces the speakers.
Timekeeper(s) – The Timekeeper’s role is to time each speech, signalling the start and end of
unprotected time and to note down the amount of time each speaker spoke for.
Audience - The audience’s role in a standard British Parliamentary debate is to take part in the
Floor Debate.
Explanation of Team Roles in a British Parliamentary Debate
Each team has a defined role on the table. British Parliamentary Debate is somewhat nuanced
because, in Competitive Debates, not only are the First Proposition team competing against the
two opposition teams but they are also competing against the Second Proposition team.
That isn’t to say that the teams on the same side are directly arguing against each other or
offering points (both of these are against the rules) but means that teams have to think
strategically about their role on the table.
First Proposition – The First Proposition team should define the motion (tell the audience and
judges what the debate is about) and put forward a number of arguments why the motion
should stand. The arguments should be divided equally between the two speakers. The second
Proposition speaker should include some rebuttal in their speech.
First Opposition – The First Opposition team should challenge the arguments put forward by the
proposition and present their own arguments telling the audience and judges why the motion
should fall. Arguments should be divided equally between the two speakers. Both First
Opposition speakers should rebut arguments put forward by the First Proposition speakers.
Both of these teams should keep involved in the debate by asking Points of Information to their
opponents further down the debate.
Second Proposition – The Second Proposition team should introduce an ‘extension’. This simply
means material that is new to the debate. The new material should not contradict anything that
the First Proposition team have said but should back up and extend upon their points. They
should also rebut some of the arguments put forward by First Opposition.
Second Opposition – The Second Opposition team should respond to the extension and
arguments put forward by the Second Proposition team. They should not contradict anything
that First Opposition team have said.
All speakers, except the First Proposition speaker, should attempt rebuttal and all are
encouraged to offer Points of Information to all speakers on the opposite side of the debate.