How a Debate Works
British Parliamentary debating is a team sport; it involves four teams of two people and a judging panel. A topic is given - usually inspired by current events - and the teams are randomly assigned to argue for or against the topic. The debate starts 15 minutes after the topic and team positions have been announced and each speaker has to deliver a speech of five, six, or seven minutes. After all speeches have been delivered, the adjudication panel deliberates and announces the team positions and gives feedback to each individual speaker.
British Parliamentary debating is a team sport; it involves four teams of two people and a judging panel. A topic is given - usually inspired by current events - and the teams are randomly assigned to argue for or against the topic. The debate starts 15 minutes after the topic and team positions have been announced and each speaker has to deliver a speech of five, six, or seven minutes. After all speeches have been delivered, the adjudication panel deliberates and announces the team positions and gives feedback to each individual speaker.
Watch a Debate