Rules of Debate: Cross-Examination Format (Oxford-Oregon)

1. Number of Rounds

Elimination RoundsSemi-Final RoundsFinal Round

2. Team Members

A team shall be composed of two members: two (2) to act as Speakers (including the team captain) and the other member to act as Scribe. Each team shall submit the names of two (2) possible alternates to the Tournament Directors in the event of the unavailability of any member of the original team.

3. Propositions

The Tournament Committee shall determine the topics for each round of the tournament.

4. Sides

The two teams in this debate shall be referred to as the Affirmative, supporting the Proposition, and the Negative, opposing the Proposition. The side a team plays shall be determined by TOSS-COIN, unless another system is adopted by both teams and approved by the Tournament Director.

5. Order of Speakers

The speaking order is as follows:

First Affirmative Constructive 7 minutes

Interpellation by First Negative Speaker 3 minutes

First Negative Constructive 7 minutes

Interpellation by First Affirmative Speaker 3 minutes

Second Affirmative Constructive 7 minutes

Interpellation by Second Negative Speaker 3 minutes

Second Negative Constructive 7 minutes

Interpellation by Affirmative Speaker 3 minutes

BREAK (3 minutes)

1st Negative Rebuttal-Summation 4 minutes

1st Affirmative Rebuttal-Summation 4 minutes

1st Negative Rebuttal-Summation 4 minutes

2nd Negative Rebuttal-Summation 5 minutes

2nd Affirmative Rebuttal-Summation 5 minutes\

6. Speaking Time Allotment

Each speaker shall be allowed seven (7) minutes for his/her constructive speech. Interpellations, on the other hand, are allotted three (3) minutes. A bell indication the sixth minute shall be provided. After the seventh minute, a speaker is expected to finish his/her speech within a 30-second grace period. If a speaker fails to conclude his constructive speech within the grace period, he/she will be meted penalties.

7. Preparation

No grace period shall be allowed for debaters who come late during debates. The Tournament Director reserves the right to disqualify teams that fail to arrive on time.

Debaters are discouraged from reading from prepared speeches. The use, however, of a Speech Outline is allowed. The judges shall the discretion of adding points to debaters who do not read written speeches.

8. Definition

The Affirmative must define the proposition and establish the parameters for debate. The Right to Definition rests with the Affirmative, who is expected to define faithfully and reasonably the text of the proposition.

The Negative may challenge the definition if it is clearly and unequivocally unreasonable, creating an undue advantage for the Affirmative. In such cases, the Negative is expected to engage in an “even-if” argument.

9. New Matter

No new matter (i.e. new arguments) may be brought up during the rebuttal stage of the debate. Penalties will be meted out to teams who violated this rule. New examples raised in support of an old argument are not new matter and as such are exceptions to this rule.

10. Interjections

Interjections, which are short pertinent comments during an opposing speaker’s speech, are allowed provided that both teams agree on the use of interjections.

11. Interpellation

The Moderator shall compel all debaters to answer all relevant questions during the interpellation. A debater can ask the intervention of the Moderator on issues requiring clarification or on question of procedure.

12. Judging

In each debate, there shall be, as far as practicable, three (3) judges known for their integrity and competence. They shall be chosen on the basis of their knowledge of the rules of debate, their impartiality, and of their knowledge of the topic.

The winner of each debate shall be based on the “vote system”.

The following shall be the official criteria to determine the winner.

Argumentation and Evidence 50%

Interpellation-Attack 10%

Interpellation-Support 10%

Rebuttal 30%

TOTAL 100%

13. Protests

As a rule, the decision of the Board of Judges is final and unappealable.

Protest, however, may be heard by a three-person Tournament Tribunal, if said protest is filed a decision is announced, all protests are deemed dismissed for lack of merit.