Debate format

A debate consists of two teams of two. One argues for a measure and one against. They each try to convince the judge that they are correct in the allotted time (as follows).

• Both sides receive twenty minutes to prepare.
• The first speaker from the team for the measure (called the affirmative or aff) speaks for seven minutes.
• The first speaker from the team against the measure (called the neg) speaks for seven minutes.
• The second aff speaker speaks for seven minutes.
• The second neg speaks for seven minutes.
• The first neg does a five minute summary of their case.
• The first aff does a five minute summary of their case.