MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 ON 3 DEBATE
TOPICS, TIMES, RULES

1 Middle School Topics (July and August 2025)

JULY TOPIC Round 1 and 2:
Social media influencers should be punished for spreading harmful and/or false information.

Round 3 and 4 Topic: Impromptu Topics.

AUGUST TOPIC Round 1 and 2:
Visuals are more important than text when it comes to communication.

Round 3 and 4 Topic: Impromptu Topics.

2. Middle School Debating Times

Topic announce in Rounds 1 and 2 (prepared topic),
then 20 minutes of Preparation Time
(may view files/documents—NO use of the internet).

Topic announce in Round 3 and 4 (impromptu topics),
then 30 minutes of Preparation Time
(with NO viewing of any files/documents--printed/computer/internet).

The tournament may announce where you are expected to go for your Preparation Time.
Tournament provided flow paper may be required.
Follow that guidance.

Prop 1st speaker: 5 minutes
(present prop case)

Opp 1st speaker: 5 minutes
(respond to prop case and present opp case)

Prop 2nd speaker: 5 minutes
(defend prop case, respond to opp case, if time, add to prop case)

Opp 2nd speaker: 5 minutes
(defend opp case, defend responses to opp case, respond to new points)

Opp 3rd speaker: 5 minutes
(show partners’ won the opp case and defeated the prop case)

Prop 3rd speaker: 5 minutes
(show partners’ won the prop case and defeated opp case)

3. Middle School Debating Rules

AT ALL TIMES—TREAT EACH OTHER RIGHT—WITH SUPPORT.

Middle School Debaters can be aged 10 to 14; exceptions to this require Jim Hanson’s approval.

Prep Time Rules

You CAN view materials you researched/prepared before prep time started EXCEPT you cannot do this if it is an impromptu topic.
You CAN talk with your debate partners
You CAN hand write notes/flow arguments for your speeches.

You CANNOT research online during prep time.
You CANNOT get debating help from coach(es) or parent(s) during prep time.

NOTE YOU CANNOT USE typed items during the debate except for ADA reasons.

Debating in Person on a Saturday in the fall or winter?
Use the Tournament provided colored flow paper.

During the Debate

You CAN use HAND WRITTEN notes prepared during Prep Time. In Person?
The notes must be on the tournament provided colored flow paper.
You CAN pass notes or text message/chat with your debate partners.
You CAN quietly speak with your debate partners who are not speaking.

You CANNOT view nor use materials during the debate that were prepared before prep time.
You CANNOT use materials on your computer/tablet/phone during the debate except for ADA reasons. Use handwritten notes ONLY and use your computer only for Zoom.
You CANNOT research during the debate.
You CANNOT get help from coach(es) or parent(s) during the debate.
You CANNOT speak to teammates who are speaking.

No heckling.

POIs (questions/short arguments) allowed in ALL speeches for the middle 3 minutes of the speeches.

Each speaker must take two POIs except they do not take POIs requested less than 30 seconds after taking a POI.

When there is an impromptu topic for a debate, logic and reasons should be given just as much weight as a debater citing a study/statistic/fact.