Individual competitors are assigned either the affirmative or negative side of each topic. Debate students involved in individual competitions will follow this format:
|
Affirmative |
Negative |
|
Construction: 4 minutes |
4 minutes |
|
1st Rebuttal: 2 minutes |
2 minutes |
|
2nd Rebuttal: 1 minute |
1 minute |
The competition begins with the affirmative side arguing the construction fo four minutes and the sides alternate until the debate finishes with the negative side making their second rebuttal for one minute.
The team competition consists of four team members on each side. Team competitors follow a similar format to the individual competition, except that there are two constructions and the rebuttals are two minutes each.
| Affirmative |
Negative |
| Construction One: 4 minutes |
4 minutes |
| Construction Two: 4 minutes |
4 minutes |
| 1st Rebuttal: 2 minutes |
2 minutes |
| 2nd Rebuttal : 2 minutes |
2 minutes |
Following each debate, the students are given critiques by a panel of three judges in the areas of presentation, construction and rebuttal. The judging criteria may be found at: http://www.tcdebate.org/Judging.htm . Each judge may award up to ten points fro a total of 30 points for each side. The hightest total out of 30 points wins the debate. |