Academic Debate Script
This House will come to order. I am pleased to welcome you all to the ____ round of the
____________________________ Debating Tournament.
The topic being debated today is: (Read resolution)
eated on my RI!HT representing the "ffirmati#e ide are the $irst "ffirmati#e pea%er
(read name)
and the econd "ffirmati#e pea%er (read name)
pea%ing for the &egati#e ide will be its $irst pea%er (read name)
and the econd &egati#e pea%er (read name)
'n behalf of the House( I e)tend a special welcome to our *udges (read their names)
The cler% of the house is (read name)
"nd I( (your name)( am your +oderator.
The debaters will ha#e , minutes in which to deli#er their remar%s. There will be a brea%
of - minutes after which the debaters will ha#e - minutes each for Rebuttal.
The .ler% will indicate how much spea%ing time is remaining by raising the time cards.
/ill the timer please e)plain the method of timing0 (Timer e)plains) "fter each debater
sits down( I will immediately call on the ne)t debater to begin his or her address.
Hec%ling and $ormal 1uestions will be permitted( though *udges are to penali2e any
debater who interrupts another thoughtlessly or e)cessi#ely or who lowers the le#el of
debate. *udges should not confer with one another until after they ha#e scored the debate.
"re there any 3uestions regarding the rules0
I call upon the $irst "ffirmati#e pea%er to deli#er the resolution( define its terms( and
outline the "ffirmati#e4s case.
("fter the $irst "ffirmati#e4s speech say:)
I than% the $irst "ffirmati#e pea%er for his5her remar%s and remind the *udges that they
should not finali2e any debater4s score until they ha#e heard all the speeches. /e shall
now hear the $irst &egati#e4s speech.
("fter the $irst &egati#e4s speech( say:)
Than% you for your remar%s. I now call upon the econd "ffirmati#e pea%er to deli#er
the final constructi#e speech in support of the resolution.
("fter the econd "ffirmati#e4s speech( say:)
Provided by Judith Schurman of the Quebec School Debating Association (QSDA)
Than% you. The econd &egati#e will now deli#er the last speech opposing the
resolution. It is his5her responsibility to complete the attac% on the "ffirmati#e4s case and
to defend and summari2e the position of the &egati#e.
("fter the econd &egati#e4s speech( say:)
I than% the econd &egati#e and now declare a -6minute recess during which the debaters
are to prepare their rebuttals.
("fter recess( say:)
I now call upon the $irst &egati#e to present the &egati#e ide4s 'fficial Rebuttal.
("fter the $irst &egati#e4s Rebuttal( say:)
I than% the $irst &egati#e and now call upon the $irst "ffirmati#e to present the
"ffirmati#e ide4s 'fficial Rebuttal
("fter the $irst "ffirmati#e4s Rebuttal( say:)
I than% the $irst "ffirmati#e and now call upon the econd &egati#e to present the
&egati#e ide4s $inal Rebuttal.
("fter the econd &egati#e4s Rebuttal( say:)
I than% the econd &egati#e and now call upon the econd "ffirmati#e to present the
"ffirmati#e ide4s $inal Rebuttal
("fter the econd "ffirmati#e4s Rebuttal( say:)
I than% the econd "ffirmati#e for concluding the debate. /ould the 7udges please gi#e
me the score sheets as soon as they ha#e completed them. Debaters are as%ed to remain
until that time after which the *udges may address comments to them.
'n behalf of the House( I than% the *udges and the .ler% for their assistance8 I
congratulate all the debaters on their performances8 and( I than% the members of the
!allery for their attenti#eness. This debate is now concluded.
Provided by Judith Schurman of the Quebec School Debating Association (QSDA)
