MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 ON 3 DEBATE
TOPICS, TIMES, SPEAKER DUTIES, RULES

 

 

1 Middle School Topics
2025-2026

NOVEMBER TOPICS
Round 1 and 2:  Paper Towels are better than Hand Dryers.

Round 3 and 4 Topic: Impromptu Topics.

 

 

JANUARY TOPICS
Round 1 and 2: The United States should significantly increase regulations on cryptocurrency.

Round 3 and 4 Topic: Impromptu Topics.

 

 

MARCH TOPICS
Round 1 and 2: The AI race between China and United States  is more harmful than beneficial.

Round 3 and Finals Topic: Impromptu Topics.

 

 

MAY/CHAMPIONSHIP TOPIC Round 1 and 2:
TBA

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.

 

3. Middle School Speaker Duties

 

 

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

 

1^st Opp speaker: 5 minutes
(respond to prop case and present opp case)
OPP CASES SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 3 MINUTES. Spend a significant amount of your time responding.

 

2^nd Prop speaker: 5 minutes
(defend prop case, respond to opp case, if time, add to prop case)
Spend at least 3 minutes of your speech responding to the Opp Case and defending your Prop case. NEW PROP CASE CONTENTIONS SHOULD NOT TAKE LONGER THAN 2 MINUTES.

 

2^nd Opp speaker: 5 minutes
(defend opp case, defend responses to opp case, respond to new points)
Spend at least 3 minutes of your speech defending the Opp Case and defending your responses to the Prop case and any new points raised by the 2^nd Prop. ADDITIONAL NEW OPP CASE CONTENTIONS SHOULD NOT TAKE LONGER THAN 2 MINUTES UNLESS THERE IS A MAJOR NEED TO BOLSTER THE OPP CASE.

 

3^rd Opp speaker: 5 minutes
(show partners’ won the opp case and defeated the prop case)
AVOID MAKING NEW ARGUMENTS. Stick to defending your partners’ arguments and showing why they are stronger than their opponents.

 

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

AVOID MAKING NEW ARGUMENTS EXCEPT FOR NEW ARGUMENTS PRESENTED BY THE 2^ND AND 3^RD OPP. Stick to defending your partners’ arguments and showing why they are stronger than their opponents.

 

4. 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 view any materials 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 at any point during prep time.
You CANNOT get argument help from coach(es) or parent(s) at any point during prep time.

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

Debating in Person?
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 may NOT attach/tape pre-prepared notes to your flow paper.

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 can use a cell phone as a timer BUT you cannot use it for any other reason except in an emergency.

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 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.