Debate Academy
Think clearly. Argue fairly. Speak with confidence.
Learn how debate works, from building one strong argument to team strategy in World Schools and British Parliamentary debates. Then argue real motions, for and against, and get feedback from LVS instructors.
Motions open now
New motions are on their way
LVS publishes motions regularly. Meanwhile, start the course below.
Debate formats at a glance
World Schools (WSDC)
- Teams
- 2 teams of 3 speakers: Proposition and Opposition
- Speeches
- Six 8-minute speeches, then a 4-minute reply speech from each side (Opposition first)
- Good to know
- Used in schools competitions worldwide. Points of information are allowed after the first minute and before the last minute of the 8-minute speeches. Judges score content, style and strategy.
British Parliamentary (BP)
- Teams
- 4 teams of 2 speakers: Opening and Closing Government, Opening and Closing Opposition
- Speeches
- Eight 7-minute speeches
- Good to know
- Used at university level and the World Universities Debating Championship. Teams on the same side must agree with each other but compete to be the best of the four. Closing teams must add a new argument, called an extension.
Asian Parliamentary
- Teams
- 2 teams of 3 speakers: Government and Opposition
- Speeches
- Six 7-minute speeches, then a reply speech from each side
- Good to know
- Common in Asia and in many university leagues. Like World Schools, but with Government and Opposition benches and shorter speeches.
Debate etiquette
- Argue against ideas, never against people.
- Be fair to the other side: describe their view as they would.
- Use evidence you can name, and never invent facts.
- Respect every speaker's time. Keep points of information short and polite.
- Accept the result with grace, and thank your opponents.
LVS instructors read every argument. Arguments that break these rules are hidden, and the writer is told why.
Want to practise saying your case out loud? Try the Speaking Practice Lab.