Big Cat Swing at Cy Fair High School
2023 — Cypress, TX/US
Creek World Schools Debate (Sat In Person)
Event Description:
World Schools Debate
World Schools Debate features a dynamic form of debate combining the concepts of “prepared” topics with “impromptu” topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specified issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. This highly interactive style of debate allows debaters to engage each other, even during speeches. This challenging format requires good teamwork and in-depth, quality argumentation.
1. Team: A team shall have at least three (3) and no more than five (5) members, all of which must be from the same school. Only three students may speak in any given debate. Each speaker gives only one 8-minute constructive (substantive) speech. The Proposition team (P) speaks first and the Opposition team (O) speaks second. Constructive speeches alternate as follows: P1, O1, P2, O2, P3, O3. After each speaker has spoken, the first or second speaker for each team gives a 4-minute Reply speech with the Opposition going first, and the Proposition reply concluding the debate.
2. Motions: Motions shall take the format befitting debate in a House of Parliament, always beginning with the phrase, ‘This House,’ which will often – but not exclusively – be followed by the verbs, “would,” “believes that,” “supports," or “regrets.” One team proposes the motion (resolution) in each debate; the other team opposes it. Some motions will be impromptu motions and others will be prepared motions. In order for
events to receive state qualification points, IQTs must offer at least one improptu motion in prelims. In elimination rounds, IQTs must offer at least one impromptu round if there are multiple elimination rounds happening; if the touranment advances straight to finals, tournament directors may choose if the final round will be prepared or impromptu. The TFA State Tournament will schedule impromptu motions for half of the
preliminary rounds (or 1/2 minus 1 if there are an odd number) and at least 1/2 minus one in elimination rounds. For example - if the TFA State Tournament has five preliminary rounds, then at least two must be impromptu motions. If the TFA State tournament breaks to quarter-finals, at least one of the motions must be an impromptu motion. A list of prepared motions for IQTs will be released on this schedule:
August: 1 - 10 motions for use from August-November
November: 1 - 10 motions for use from December-February
February: 1 - 6 motions for use at TFA State - one being designated for finals
Prepared motions will be chosen by tournament hosts from these lists. Hosts may create their own impromptu motions using the prepared motion list as a guide. The motions for debates will be written by officers of the Texas Forensic Association (or their designees) taking into consideration subject, variety, and other qualities as appropriate.
3. Format: The format of the debate shall model the following:
Opening Government / Proposition 1 – 8 Minutes
Opening Opposition / Opposition 1 – 8 Minutes
Proposition 2 – 8 Minutes
Opposition 2 – 8 Minutes
Proposition 3 – 8 Minutes
Opposition 3 – 8 Minutes
Opposition Reply (Speaker 1 or 2) – 4 Minutes
Proposition Reply (Speaker 1 or 2 ) – 4 Minutes
Unlike other formats, there is no preparation time during the debate.
The judge may provide time signals for each speech. Speakers may also time themselves. In addition to the time signals that may be provided by the judge(s), team members (even those not speaking in that round) may give time signals to a speaker provided that the signals are discreet and unobtrusive. Any use of the internet or any verbal or written communication with anyone not among the three team members speaking in the round (other than time signals given by one of the other team members observing) may result in the loss of the round.
4. Materials: During the debate students are permitted to bring with them an English language dictionary, a bilingual dictionary, and a single volume encyclopedia or almanac. Other printed materials referred to during the course of prepared speeches, may also accompany a team into the room. Students may not use electronic storage or retrieval devices (except the use of mobile phone for timing. Use of electronic devices during
debates (or in preparation in the impromptu preparation period) will result in the loss of a round.
5. Preparation Time and Procedure for Impromptu Motions: For both preliminary and elimination rounds with impromptu motions, both the team supporting the motion, and the team opposing the motion shall have one hour from the time the motion is released until the beginning of the impromptu round. All members of the three to five-member team – both those who will be speaking in the round and any other members who will speak in other rounds – may participate in preparation. During the one-hour impromptu
motion prep period, team members must prepare without consulting coaches or anyone outside their 3 to 5-person team. They may not access the internet or any previously-prepared materials. The only materials allowed in the impromptu prep process are a dictionary and a one-volume encyclopedia or almanac.
6. Winning a Debate: In preliminary rounds, a debate is won by the team who receives the highest team score from the judge. There are no low point wins or ties in team points. In elimination rounds or any rounds with a panel of judges, the debate is won by the team who receives a winning ballot from a majority of judges in the round. The sum of team scores determines a winning ballot.
7. Interruptions: During a substantive speech (an 8-minute speech) a competitor from the opposite team may rise to offer a Point of Information. A Point of Information may be a question or a statement. The first full minute of a substantive speech and the last full minute of a substantive speech are considered protected time. No Points of Information may be given during this time. The speaker may choose to accept a Point of Information or to reject or waive down a Point of Information. Rejection can take the form of an obvious hand gesture or a verbal comment from the speaker. POIs should not exceed 15 seconds in length. Judges should consider the strength or weaknesses of POIs and the answers given in awarding points to individual team members. Failure to ask or accept POIs should also be considered by judges in awarding individual scores.
8. Communication: During a debate, speakers may not communicate with persons not speaking in any given debate, with the exception of a non-speaking team member offering time signals.
9. Judging Criteria: The judging criteria will follow that of the standards/rules of the National Speech and Debate Association.
10. State Qualification: To qualify for the TFA State Tournament students must compete together as a team of a three to five-member roster at an IQT, but students will earn qualification points individually. In order to earn qualification points each member of the roster submitted on an IQT entry form must participate in at least half (or 1/2 minus 1) preliminary rounds. Coaches may use any combination of three-five students
accumulating the required qualification points to enter the state tournament. World Schools Debate will be listed as a debate event for the TFA State tournament schedule.
11. Minimum IQT requirements and qualification numbers for World Schools Debate: The minimum number of WS entries for an IQT to award qualification points is 6 teams.
12. Round Requirements: IQTs must offer a minimum of 3 preliminary rounds (one being an impromptu motion) with the following required elimination rounds:
6-9 teams - minimum break - finals
10-15 teams - minimum break - semis
16-50 teams - minimum break - quarters
50 plus teams - minimum break - octos