How to Structure a Debate Speech
A debate speech works best in four parts: an opening that tells the judge your side, a short roadmap of what you will cover, your arguments one at a time, and a close that says why you should win. Say where you are as you go (“my first point”, “on their second argument”) so the judge can follow your flow.
The four parts of a speech
1. Opening
Get the judge’s attention, state your side in one sentence and say what you will prove. Keep it short.
2. Roadmap
Tell the judge the order: “I will answer their two points, then give you my own two.” It helps them write it down in the right place.
3. Arguments, one at a time
Label each, then give the claim, the reasoning, the evidence and the impact. Finish one before you start the next.
4. Close
Recap the points that matter and give the judge a reason to vote for you. Do not add new arguments here.
Signpost the whole way
Short phrases like “first”, “their next argument” and “moving to impacts” are how a judge keeps their notes in order.
How the app builds a speech with you
- Introduction Builder: hook the judge, state your side and preview your case.
- Case Builder: the arguments, each checked against its own job as you write it.
- Conclusion Builder: recap your points and close with a reason to vote.
- Speech Assembler: click your introduction, arguments and conclusion into one speech.
- Speech Feedback marks up the finished speech line by line.
Assemble a speech
Free to start. No credit card needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do you structure a debate speech?
Open with your side, give a short roadmap, make your arguments one at a time, and close with a recap and a reason to vote. Signpost at each step.
What is signposting?
Signposting is telling the judge where you are in your speech, with phrases like “my second point” or “on their first argument”. It helps the judge write your points in the right place.
Does every format use the same structure?
The shape is similar, but what each speech is for changes by format and by speech. A first speech builds, a later one answers and compares. The format pages show each speech’s job.
How long should each part be?
Keep the opening and close short and spend most of the time on arguments. Practice at real speech length on the timer to see what fits.
Put your speech together
Build the opening, arguments and close, then click them into one speech. Free to start.