DEBATE TOPICS

The Energy Sustainability Debate Competition will focus on energy sources and their contribution to global warming. As such, students are expected to debate statements related to the following topics:
 

• Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, etc.)
• Energy Efficiency
• Alternative Fuels (CNG, Electric, etc.)
• Green Hydrogen
• Decarbonisation
• Climate Change

An information package is available for download under the Information Sources Tab.

COMPETITION RULES

• For the Preliminary Rounds, each team will be given a Topic Statement for preparation.
• On the day of the Preliminary Round, each team will be randomly selected to argue FOR or AGAINST the topic.
• Once the positions have been selected, each team will have five minutes to structure their argument and arrange their teams.
• All speakers will be given a minimum of three minutes, but no longer than five minutes to present their arguments.
• The timekeeper begins the stopwatch when Affirmative Speaker #1 opens the argument.
• A bell will be rung once at the end of the 4th minute. The bell will be rung twice to indicate time is up.
• Five points will be deducted for every minute beyond the speaking time allocated to each speaker.
• Speakers must wait their turn and should not interrupt others.
• Both teams will have a five-minute recess to prepare rebuttals.
• Prompting from team members is prohibited. Violation of this rule, or any other rule, will result in an automatic deduction of 10 points from the team’s overall score.
• Points of Interjections are prohibited.
• Students will be allowed to note-take during the Debate Competition.
• Cue cards and pens will be provided by National Energy.
• The Judges’ decision on any issue arising during the competition shall be final and binding.
• Top eight scoring schools from the Preliminary Rounds will advance to the Quarter Finals.
• Top four scoring schools from the Quarter Finals will advance to the Semi Finals.
• Top two scoring schools from the Semi Finals will advance to the Finals, while the two runners-up will advance to the 3rd Place Play-Off.

DEBATE FLOW

• Affirmative Speaker #1 presents arguments in support of the topic statement.
• Opposing Speaker #1 presents arguments refuting the topic statement.
• Affirmative Speaker #2 must:
  • present further arguments in support of the topic statement
  • identify and argue points for rebuttal made by the preceding Opposing Speaker
  • answer questions that may have been raised by preceding Opposing Speaker
  • provide any other convincing arguments (to strengthen/clarify previous points made by team member/s).
• Opposing Speaker #2 must:
  • present further arguments against the topic statement
  • identify and argue points for rebuttal made by the preceding Affirmative Speaker
  • answer questions that may have been raised by the preceding Affirmative Speaker
  • provide any other convincing arguments (to strengthen/clarify previous points made by team member/s).
• Both teams will have a five-minute recess to prepare summary arguments.
• Opposing Speaker #3 begins with the summary arguments against the points made by the Affirmative team without adding any new information and convincingly concludes their team’s position.
• Affirmative Speaker #3 begins with the summary arguments against the points made by the Opposing team without adding any new information and convincingly concludes their team’s position.  
   

INFORMATION SOURCES