Format reference

Debate Formats Explained

Every format runs a different round, and the differences decide real debates — who speaks when, how long they get, when you can interrupt, and what the judge is allowed to reward. Here is every format the app supports, each with its full speech order and times.

24 format guides

Beginner Debate

A simple format for students who are just starting out. One student on each side. Each side says what they think, then answers the other side, then finishes with a short ending. No teams, no question time, and no special words to learn.

6 speeches · 9:00 speaking · 2:00 prep

Public Forum

Two students on each side argue about something in the news. It is built to be judged by an ordinary adult with no debate background, so being clear and convincing matters more than being fast or technical.

11 speeches · 35:00 speaking · 3:00 prep

Lincoln-Douglas

One student against one student. Instead of arguing about a specific plan, they argue about what is right and what matters most — things like fairness, safety, or freedom. Each side argues that their view protects that better.

7 speeches · 32:00 speaking · 4:00 prep

Policy Debate

Two students on each side argue about whether a specific plan should actually be put into action. This format uses more research than any other, and students often speak very fast.

12 speeches · 64:00 speaking · 8:00 prep

Parliamentary Debate

Fast team debate where the topic is announced only a short time before the debate starts. There is no time to research, so quick thinking matters more than prepared facts. While someone is speaking, the other team is allowed to stand up and briefly interrupt.

6 speeches · 40:00 speaking · 15:00 prep

World Schools

Three students on each side. Some topics are handed out weeks ahead so teams can research them; others are given just one hour before. Each side gives three main speeches, plus a short closing speech that sums up the whole debate.

8 speeches · 56:00 speaking · 60:00 prep

Student Congress

Students act like a group of lawmakers. They take turns giving speeches for and against proposed laws, then vote on them. Instead of two teams facing off, a whole room of students debates each proposal together.

4 speeches · 10:00 speaking · 3:00 prep

ESPDP

A first team-debate format for elementary students, run the same way as the middle school version but with a shorter last speech. Three students on each side. Elementary debate is organized by individual school districts rather than by one national office, so a few details can differ from place to place — check with your coach.

6 speeches · 26:00 speaking · 20:00 prep

MSPDP

A middle school format with three students on each side. While someone is speaking, the other team may stand up and ask to make a quick point. It is built to teach organized arguing and polite interrupting.

6 speeches · 30:00 speaking · 20:00 prep

HSPDP

The high school version of MSPDP, with longer speeches and more developed cases. Three students on each side, and the other team may stand up and ask to make a quick point while someone is speaking.

6 speeches · 34:00 speaking · 20:00 prep

British Parliamentary

Four separate teams of two debate at the same time — two teams on each side, one pair opening and one pair closing. Every team is ranked 1st through 4th, so even the two teams on the same side are competing with each other.

8 speeches · 56:00 speaking · 15:00 prep

Karl Popper Debate

Three students on each side, with a strong focus on clear logic and on questioning each other directly. All the research happens before the debate — nobody looks anything up once it starts.

10 speeches · 46:00 speaking · 8:00 prep

Moot Court

Students act as lawyers arguing a case in front of judges, the way a real appeals court works. They argue about what the law means — not about what happened — and the judges interrupt them with questions.

5 speeches · 43:00 speaking · 60:00 prep

Mock Trial

Students act out a whole trial. Some play lawyers and some play witnesses, all working from a prepared case file. There are opening statements, questioning of witnesses, and closing statements, in front of a judge.

6 speeches · 70:00 speaking · 60:00 prep

Socratic Debate

This one is not about winning. Everyone explores a topic or a reading together, testing ideas by asking real questions instead of trying to score points against each other.

4 speeches · 26:00 speaking · 10:00 prep

Extemporaneous Speaking

A student draws a question about something in the news, gets 30 minutes to prepare using articles they collected beforehand, then gives a 7-minute speech answering it.

1 speeches · 7:00 speaking · 30:00 prep

Impromptu Speaking

The fastest speaking event there is. A student draws a topic — often a quote or a single word — gets about two minutes to think, then speaks for five minutes.

1 speeches · 5:00 speaking · 2:00 prep

Australs (AUDC Style)

Three students on each side. Each team gets a full half hour to plan once they hear the topic, then gives three main speeches plus a short closing speech at the end.

8 speeches · 56:00 speaking · 30:00 prep

Asian Parliamentary

Three students on each side. Each side gives three main speeches, then a short speech at the end that sums up the whole debate.

8 speeches · 50:00 speaking · 30:00 prep

CNDF

A Canadian high school format that mixes prepared research with the chance to interrupt the other side while they are speaking.

6 speeches · 40:00 speaking · 15:00 prep

CEDA Policy

A college format where two students on each side argue about whether a specific plan should be put into action. Similar to NDT, with a bit more focus on real-world consequences.

12 speeches · 72:00 speaking · 10:00 prep

NDT Policy

The oldest college debate circuit in the United States. Two students on each side argue about a specific plan, using heavy research. Expect very fast speaking.

12 speeches · 72:00 speaking · 10:00 prep

SPAR

The quickest debate format there is. Draw a topic and start almost right away. Good for quick practice or warming up before a tournament.

5 speeches · 8:00 speaking · 1:00 prep

Town Hall Debate

Built for public discussion rather than competition. Two opening statements set up the issue, then the audience asks questions for a long stretch, and each side finishes with a closing statement.

5 speeches · 20:00 speaking · 5:00 prep

Your league runs something else?

Describe your league or classroom format in the app and the timer, Case Builder and flow sheets adapt to it.

Prep for your format, not a generic one

The Debate Prep adapts every tool — timers, case structure, judging notes — to the format you actually compete in. Free to start.