Debatní klub Olomouc

Area of comparison

Karl Popper

WSDC

Number of debaters

3 debaters per team

3 debaters per team

Number of speeches

3 speeches per team – 1^st and 2^nd are argumentative speeches; 3^rd speech is a summary speech

4 speeches per team – first 3 speeches are argumentative; reply speech[i] (4^th speech) is a summary speech

Length of speeches

1^st – 6 minutes

2^nd and 3^rd – 5 minutes

1^st – 3^rd – 8 minutes

Reply speech – 4 minutes

Order of speakers

Order of speakers is announced to the chair before the start of the debate

Order of speakers is announced to the chair before the start of the debate

Cross – examination

After first and second speeches there are cross-examinations 3 minutes long

No cross-examinations take place in this format

Points of Information

No points of information (POIs) take place in this format

It is possible to give a POI during each of the opponents argumentative speeches. POI must be given after the first minute and prior to the last minute of the speech.

It is recommended that you accept 1-2 POIs in your speech and offer 4-5 POIs per speech.

POIs are not allowed during reply speeches.

Role of first speakers

First Affirmative (Prop.) speaker has to introduce and define the topic, present the arguments. After the first Aff. speech position and case of the Aff. team needs to be clear enough for the debate to be able to continue.

First Neg. (Opp.) speaker has to accept or reject the definitions presented by prop, react to the Aff. arguments and present their own counter-arguments. Position and case of Neg. team should be clear after the first Neg. speech

The role of the first speaker of the proposition is to define the topic, establish the issues for the debate, outline the proposition case, announce the case division between the speakers[ii], and present his or her part of the proposition case.

The role of the first speaker of the opposition side is to challenge the definition if necessary, present an alternative definition if the definition is challenged, respond to the proposition case, outline the opposition case, announce the case division, and devote most of his or her time (about six minutes) to presenting his or her part of the opposition case.

Role of second speakers

Primary role of the second speaker of Affirmative team is to rebuild and elaborate on their arguments (their case) and react to the arguments presented by the Negative team

Primary role of the second speaker of Negative team is to react to the arguments and rebuttals of the Affirmative team, especially the second speaker. He should also rebuilt and elaborate the arguments of the Neg. team

The role of the second speaker of the proposition is to deal with the definition if it has been challenged, respond to the opposition case, and devote about four minutes to continuing with the proposition case as outlined by the first speaker.

The role of the second speaker of the opposition is to deal with the definition if it is still in issue, respond to the proposition case, and devote about four minutes to continuing with the opposition case as outlined by the first speaker.

Role of third speakers

Third speakers should summarize the debate from their team’s viewpoint. Third speeches should identify and analyze the main areas of clash.

The roles of both third speakers is to deal with the definition if it is still in issue, and respond to the other team's case, so these speakers are similar to second speakers in Karl Popper.

Role of Reply speeches

Non-existent

The role of the reply speeches is to sum up the debate from the team's viewpoint, including a response to the other team's overall case and a summary of the speaker's own team's case, so these speeches are similar to third speeches in Karl Popper.

Definitions

Definitions provided should be based of a common sense understanding of the motion. The have to provide reasonable room for opposition (i.e. there must be clear controversy) so that a debate can take place.

No variation from the Slovak version of Karl Popper.

Definitions – case where the teams agree on the proposed definitions

If the Negative team agrees with the definitions presented by the Affirmative team, then the debate is judged within the boundaries of these proposed definitions. This applies even if these definitions are not in line with a common sense understanding of the motion.

No variation from the Slovak version of Karl Popper.

Definitions – case where the teams disagree on the proposed definitions

If the Negative team disagrees with the definitions presented by the Affirmative team and presents their own (providing adequate explanation), then the debate is judged based on the definitions that are more in line with a common sense understanding of the motion.

No variation from the Slovak version of Karl Popper.

Types of motions and cases

All types of motions or cases (value, policy, comparative, cause and effect, etc.) can be used

No variation from the Slovak version of Karl Popper.

The scope of motions and cases.

Some motions are about general principles, while others are about particular situations in particular countries.

Because the format was developed in an international setting, motions are rather general than particular. Even policy motions are rarely about particular solutions; policies are rather defended as general “models.”[iii]