PHS Novice Practice Tournament
2026 — Pocatello, ID/US
Lincoln-Douglas
Event Description:
World Schools Debate (WS) is a three-on-three debate format combining prepared and impromptu motions. While teams may include up to five members, only three compete in any given round. Students are assigned either the proposition (government) or opposition side each round and debate motions that focus on real-world issues. Debaters deliver speeches, respond to questions, and actively engage with opposing arguments, all during speeches. This format emphasizes collaboration and in-depth argumentation. Since students must prepare for both rehearsed and surprise topics, World Schools Debate requires flexibility, quick thinking, and a wide range of knowledge. Debaters must work seamlessly as a team and communicate ideas clearly across cultural and ideological lines.Successful WS debaters are logical, analytical, and persuasive. They value teamwork, stay informed about global events, and bring cultural awareness and curiosity to every round.
Ballot Scoring (vote for the team that scores the most points)
Style: 40% of the total score. Speakers should communicate clearly using effective rate, pitch, tone, hand gestures, facial expressions, etc. The use of notes should not be penalized unless it hinders delivery; however, speakers should not read their speeches. Notes are to be used only for reference.
Content: 40% of the total score. This portion of the score should focus on the argumentation used by the speaker, divorced from the style. Weak arguments should be marked accordingly, even if the other team does not expose a weak argument. Judges should not be influenced by their own personal beliefs or specialized knowledge when making this decision.
Strategy: 20% of the total score. Strategy consists of whether or not the speaker understands the importance of the issues in the debate and the structure/timing of the speech. Debaters should identify the most substantive issues and allocate their time to covering issues based on the relative importance. Strategy may also consider answers to points of information and choosing when/how to address them. Strategy is not content: a speaker who answers the critical issues with weak responses should get poor marks for content but good marks for strategy.