How to DebateSpeaking Order in a debate

Speaking order in a Debate
Last updated Dec-98 by Colm Flynn

Please note that these guidelines are for British Parliamentary Style

The speaking order depends on whether it is individuals or teams, or both, and the style being used in the competition but it generally follows either "Times" or "Mace" format;

Individuals:

(1.) Opening Prop.

(2.) Opening Opp.

(3.) 2nd Prop.

(4.) 2nd Opp.

(5.) 3rd Prop.

(6.) 3rd opp.

(7.) Last Prop.

(8.) Last Opp.

Teams:

Times:

(1.) 1st speaker from opening prop.

(2.) 1st speaker from opening opp.

(3.) 1st speaker from 2nd prop team.

(4.) 1st speaker from 2nd opp team.

(5.) 2nd speaker from opening prop.

(6.) 2nd speaker from opening opp.

(7.) 2nd speaker from 2nd prop.

(8.) 2nd speaker from 2nd opp.

Mace/Worlds:

(1.) 1st opening proposition.

(2.) 1st opening opposition.

(3.) 2nd opening proposition.

(4.) 2nd opening opposition.

(5.) 1st closing proposition.

(6.) 1st closing opposition.

(7.) 2nd closing proposition.

(8.) 2nd closing opposition.

If there is a mixture of teams and individuals (e.g. in Times final) the Individual speakers are inserted in the middle of the debate i.e. after the first speaker for the last team and before the last speaker for the for the first team.

(1.) 1st speaker from opening prop.

(2.) 1st speaker from opening opp.

(3.) 1st speaker from 2nd prop.

(4.) 1st speaker from 2nd opp.

(5.) 1st proposing individual.

(6.) 1st opposing individual

(7.) 2nd proposing individual.

(8.) 2nd opposing individual.

(9.) 2nd speaker from opening prop.

and so on.

Naturally the actual order depends on the number of teams/individuals debating.

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