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TEAM DEBATE

What's Team Debate?

Team Debate is where you and your squad of three pull up and face off against another crew. Y’all ain’t just talkin'; you’re flexin’ arguments, cookin’ rebuttals, and keepin’ it scholarly while tryin’ to out think the other side in 3 rounds. Judges slide y’all the motion (the prompt) and call which side you’re on, affirmative or negative. Critical thinking, teamwork, and communication on full blast.

What to Bring

  • Your squad

  • Water bottle

  • Electronics (laptop, phone, or tablet) for research when the clock’s tickin’

  • Pen or pencil

  • Paper or notecards

  • Name tag 

  • Good teamwork​

what to note

  • Each round starts with 15 minutes to research and prep. Once the timer’s out, no more scrolling or Googling, it’s straight brainpower. Each speaker gets 4 minutes to talk. Go under or over, and judges dock you points, so keep it tight.

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  • Judges peep everything: clear points, strong rebuttals that clap back, confidence, organization, eye contact, and not just reading off that paper. The more persuasive and respectful you are, the more points stack. Wanna see the full rubric? 

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  • In WSC lingo, you don’t “lose,” you get lollipopped. Since 2015, they been sugarcoating the L so it’s about positivity and growth. It ain’t an L, it’s just candy where you learn, improve, and spin back harder.

What's happening?

  • Judge checks your squad’s name tag letters and assigns sides. Motion gets read. 15 minutes research time starts.

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  • 1st Affirmative Speaker (4 min) – lays out the motion, sets the tone, makes it clear

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  • 1st Negative Speaker (4 min) – claps back, sets their own terms, keeps it real

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  • Affirmative gets 1 min to huddle and prep rebuttal.

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  • 2nd Affirmative Speaker (4 min) – drops rebuttals, builds the case stronger

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  • Negative gets 1 min to huddle.

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  • 2nd Negative Speaker (4 min) – hits back at the aff squad, tries to flip their logic.

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  • Affirmative gets 1 min.

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  • 3rd Affirmative Speaker (4 min) – heavy hitter. Breaks down the neg squad’s arguments, closes with power.

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  • Negative gets 1 min.

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  • 3rd Negative Speaker (4 min) – same drill, last word before judge locks it in.

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  • Judge has each squad give 1 min of feedback to the other side (what you liked, how to improve).

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  • Judge calls the W, affirmative or negative. Squads move to their next room, map in hand.

Debate Map

→

example of WSC debate map

Roles and Responsibilities

Affirmative: 

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  • 1st Affirmative Speaker – “The Opener”
    The squad’s intro voice. Sets the motion, lays the groundwork, and makes that first impression on the judge. If the opener fumbles, the rest of the squad gotta work twice as hard.

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  • 2nd Affirmative Speaker – “The Engine”
    The backbone of the squad. Drops the hardest facts, keeps the argument movin’, and starts clappin’ back at the negative side. This speaker makes sure the squad doesn’t stall.

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  • 3rd Affirmative Speaker – “The Closer”
    The heavy hitter. Final word for the squad, dismantles the neg’s points, and leaves the judge with that mic drop moment. Needs confidence and clean delivery.

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Negative: 

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  • 1st Negative Speaker – “The Counter”
    Pulls up right after the opener and sets the squad’s terms. Challenges the aff’s framing, flips the script, and makes sure the judge sees there’s another way to read the motion.

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  • 2nd Negative Speaker – “The Bruiser”
    Comes in with rebuttals, facts, and strong arguments. Their job is to punch holes in the aff’s case and reinforce their squad’s side. Straight-up pressure player.

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  • 3rd Negative Speaker – “The Finisher”
    The squad’s last word. Shuts down aff’s case, picks apart their logic, and ties up all the neg’s points clean. Needs to leave the judge thinking: “Yeah, they bodied that.”

tips

  • Dodge fallacies and keep it facts and logic, no weak reasoning or shady tricks.

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  • Keep your notes light and don’t bury your face in paper; use bullets, keep eye contact, and let the judge feel your energy.

 

  • Share resources with your squad before rounds, trade facts, and stay united.

 

  • Write rebuttals live by jotting down what the other team says while they say it, not after.

 

  • Predict the other side by thinking ahead about what they might argue and preload your counters.

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  • Hooks matter, so start with a quote, a story, or some heat that grabs the judge’s ear.

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  • Twist the motion if it feels too broad and find the angle that favors you.

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  • Chill your nerves by taking a breath, slowing it down, and talking with confidence; if you slip, own it and keep moving.

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