Mavericks Message Tournament
2025 — Pensacola, FL/US
Big Questions Rules
About Big Questions Debate
Big Questions Debate is a debate format that allows students to debate with a partner or as an individual. Debates may be one-on-one, two-on-two, or two-on-one. Topics last all year and concern the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion. Students are assigned a side of the topic before each round and present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and participate in a question period.
Time Limits Speech Time Limit Purpose
| Affirmative Constructive | 5 minutes | Present case |
| Negative Constructive | 5 minutes | Present case |
| Question Segment | 3 minutes | Alternate asking and answering questions |
| Affirmative Rebuttal | 4 minutes | Refute the opposing side’s arguments |
| Negative Rebuttal | 4 minutes | Refute the opposing side’s arguments |
| Question Segment | 3 minutes | Alternate asking and answering questions |
| Affirmative Consolidation | 3 minutes | Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round |
| Negative Consolidation | 3 minutes | Begin crystallizing the main issues in the round |
| Affirmative Rationale | 3 minutes | Explain reasons that you win the round |
| Negative Rationale | 3 minutes | Explain reasons that you win the round |
*Each team is entitled to three minutes of prep time during the round.