Resources · Quick reference
The World Schools format, on one page
Everything a debater, parent, or first-time judge needs to follow a round: who speaks when, for how long, what each speech is for, and how the round is scored. For the full explanation, read What is World Schools Debate?
Speech order and speaking times
| # | Speech | Time | The job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proposition 1 | 8 min | Definitions, stance, split, metric, first 1–2 arguments |
| 2 | Opposition 1 | 8 min | Challenge set-up if needed, opposition case, first rebuttal |
| 3 | Proposition 2 | 8 min | Rebut, rebuild, one new argument |
| 4 | Opposition 2 | 8 min | Rebut, rebuild, one new argument |
| 5 | Proposition 3 | 8 min | Clash-by-clash comparison and weighing (no new arguments) |
| 6 | Opposition 3 | 8 min | Clash-by-clash comparison and weighing (no new arguments) |
| 7 | Opposition Reply | 4 min | “Biased judge’s summary,” given by speaker 1 or 2 |
| 8 | Proposition Reply | 4 min | Same, but proposition gets the true last word |
Junior divisions commonly halve these times (4-minute substantive speeches, 2-minute replies). Note the reply order flips: opposition replies first, so proposition, which carries the burden of change, closes the debate.
Teams and the reply speech
- Three speakers per team: each delivers one substantive speech; teams may register a fourth who can be subbed in between rounds at many tournaments.
- The reply is a summary, not a speech: a “biased judge’s adjudication” of the round in your favor. It is comparative, big-picture, and free of new arguments.
- Reply speaker is 1 or 2: the third speaker never gives the reply, so one teammate speaks twice in every round.
Prep time (impromptu motions)
- One hour: from motion release to the round, for impromptu motions. Prepared motions are released weeks in advance.
- No internet, no devices: during the prep hour. The case comes from your team’s heads.
- Printed materials allowed: case files, almanacs, and pre-written briefs may come into the prep room, which is why strong teams build them all season.
At the World Schools Debating Championships itself, teams debate eight preliminary rounds (four on prepared motions, four impromptu) before elimination rounds. At NSDA Nationals' World Schools event, prepared motions are released May 1 and impromptu motions one hour before each round. Run the hour on a schedule: see the 1-hour prep planner.
Points of information
During substantive speeches, opponents may rise to offer short points of information (POIs). The speaker chooses whether to accept. The first and last minute of each substantive speech are protected (no POIs), and reply speeches take no POIs at all. Convention: offer regularly as a team, and accept one or two per speech at moments you control.
How it's scored: 40/40/20
40%
Style
Delivery: clarity, engagement, presence, persuasion
40%
Content
Substance: logic, evidence, rebuttal, completeness
20%
Strategy
Choices: issue priority, structure, timing, role fulfillment
Judges assess arguments as an “ordinary intelligent voter”: informed and open-minded, but unmoved by jargon and empty rhetoric. Full breakdown in our judging guide.
Official rule documents
- WSDC rules & adjudicator guides: the international championship’s official resource library
- NSDA: How to Judge World Schools Debate: the official US primer for new judges
- USWSDI Manual: the full rules for the World Schools event at NSDA Nationals
Individual tournaments occasionally vary timings and POI rules. When in doubt, the invite and the tab room outrank any reference, including this one.
Know the format. Then train it.
Every element on this page (roles, replies, POIs, the criteria) is a drill in our weekly training cycle.
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