1. World Schools Debate: an Introduction
Cindi Timmons – USA Debate Team Manager/Coach, Texas
Aaron Timmons – USA Debate Team Coach, Greenhill School, Texas
Christina Tallungan - Notre Dame HS, California

2. Why World School? International context
Mix of prepared and impromptu motions
Easy transference from other events
Low resource requirements

3. Domestic Tournaments, International Tournaments and the World Championship
Domestic Events
Greenhill, Holy Cross, Damus (ND), Blake,
Harvard-Westlake, Harvard, NDCA, NSDA
International Events
How does the World Championship work?

4. How is it different from other formats?
POI’s
Team members
Evidence usage
Style
Scoring
Judging

5. Background Origin of World Schools format Participating countries
World Championship
Tournaments
Training opportunities

6. The Motion
This House … would, believes, should, regrets … etc. Determined by the motion.
Types of motions – value and policy t
Prepared vs. Impromptu

7. The Sides Side government (proposition) Side opposition
Roles of each side

8. USA Debate
Application process
Timeline for selection of team

9. Mechanics: The Format Two teams of three speakers
Constructive speeches – 8 minutes
Reply speeches – 4 minutes
Points of information – given in constructive speeches only, between minutes 1 and 7
Reply speech is given by either 1st or 2nd speaker, never the 3rd

10. Speech Order 1st Proposition – 8 minutes 1st Opposition – 8 minutes
2nd Proposition – 8 minutes
2nd Opposition – 8 minutes
3rd Proposition – 8 minutes
3rd Opposition – 8 minutes
Opposition Reply – 4 minutes
Proposition Reply – 4 minutes

11. The Substantive Arguments
The two first speakers typically present at least two substantive arguments
The second two speakers typically refute the opponents’ arguments before presenting a third argument
Substantive arguments typically number between 2-4

12. The Third Speech Unique in this format
Distills arguments to purest form and clarifies issues in round
Weighing of competing claims
Clashes directly with opponents’ arguments
Structure may vary

13. The Reply NOT a repetition of the 3rd speech
Crystalizes round into key points, focus is on the more important arguments
“A biased summary”
Dropped smaller points/issues not as relevant as in other American formats

14. Points of Information
May be given between minutes 1 and 7 in constructive speeches
Can be questions or statements
Convention limits POIs to 15 seconds
Traditionally speaker should accept/answer two POIs
Delivery – stand up, say “sir” or “ma’am” – wait to be recognized
More than one member of the opposing team may stand at a time. Speaker will choose which to recognize.
Speaker may “wave down” opposition as they stand for POIs.

15. Delivery and Use of Evidence
Delivery is conversational in pace and tone with an emphasis on persuasive appeals. Appropriate for a lay person.
Evidence is referred to in a general sense. Anecdotes, examples and statistics are used. “Cards” are NOT read in rounds. Evidence is NOT looked at after rounds.
Refutation is generally holistic.
Impromptu round preparation – only a dictionary and almanac may be used. No internet. No coaching.

16. Judges and the Decision
Constructive speeches: point range (out of 100)
Reply speeches: point range (out of 50)
Points given in 3 categories: Content (40%), Style (40%) and Strategy (20%)
Content – the matter; Style – the delivery of the matter; Strategy – how the matter is used
No low point wins, team with most points wins the round

17. The Ballot

18. The Ballot

19. Words and Phrases The Principle The Model The Team Line Moving it down
the table

20. Integrating Into the Curriculum
Teach as a unit – start with bridge from prior activity
Current events research
Impromptu practice
POI Drills

21. Welcome to World Schools Debate!
Q&A
What can I find resources? Check out the National Speech & Debate Association website!
For more information contact Cindi Timmons at
Welcome to World Schools Debate!