Debate Styles

In 2009 ASD introduced a new style of debating known as ‘advised topic rounds’. This style will be used again in 2012 in addition to the usual prepared rounds and impromptu rounds.

Prepared Rounds

In a prepared round the moot and sides are announced in advance (at least a week in advance for preliminary rounds).  Teams are encouraged to research and prepare their case but to also rebut the case of the opposition team during the debate.

Moots will be advised via our website and via an email to coaches that have supplied their contact details.

Prepared rounds are more common at younger levels but often lead to debates filled with ‘prepared speeches’ rather than two teams engaging with each other. This has led to the introduction of the advised topic style as discussed below.

Advised Rounds

In this style of debating we will announce (at least a week in advance) the general topic of that round. However, the final moot (and sides) will not be announced until one hour before the start of the debate. Teams use that one hour to finalise their case.

For example:

• One week before Senior Open Round Two we announce that the debate will be about ‘animal rights’
• An hour before the debate is scheduled to start we will announce the moot and sides. It could be:
  • This house would impose harsher penalties on animal abusers, or;
  • This house would ban the factory farming of chickens, or;
  • This house would ban animal testing.

The advised topic will generally be specific enough to allow teams to undertake useful research but be wide enough to allow a few possible moots to be announced. This style of debating makes impromptu debates more approachable for younger debaters without resulting in the ‘prepared speeches’ scenario.

If there are any questions about this style please contact the Committee.

Impromptu Rounds

In an impromptu round, the moot and sides will be announced at the venue one hour before the debate is scheduled to start.