Rules & Regulations

Potential participants are requested to refer to the EU-IDC’s “Guide for Debaters”. The text below is summarised information only.

The EU-IDC tournament will comprise 2 phases:

1. Phase 1: Elimination Rounds (5 May 2010)
2. Phase 2: Knock-Out Rounds (6 May 2010)

Phase 1 will incorporate a maximum of 10 rounds of debating (20 teams). At the conclusion of phase 1, the top 8 ranked teams will advance to phase 2 (teams which are not in the top 8 are eliminated).

Phase 2 is the finals' series and will be strict knock-out format (only winners will advance).

Each team has three debaters (speakers), who each speak once.

Each round of debate has two teams:

1. affirmative team
2. negative team

The affirmative team must speak for the motion. The negative team must speak against the motion.

Motions have been announced in advance (see Chapter 4 of the “Guide for Debaters” for a list of motions). However, the motion which each team will debate on (as well as the team’s position – affirmative or negative) will only be known during the pairings or coin toss sessions (see Chapter 2 of the “Guide for Debaters” for the schedule).

Speeches occur in the following order and for the following duration:

Scores are awarded to the team as a whole (not to individual speakers).

Each round will be judged by a panel of adjudicators who individually will give a score to each team based on the strength of the arguments (matter), the presentation and delivery style of the speakers (manner) and the structure and timing of the speeches (method).

The tournament shall be run under the auspices of a chairperson.

For the complete EU-IDC’s “Rules & Regulations” download the “Guide for Debaters”.