Australia-Asia debating/Debate structure

Every debate consists of two teams with three speakers. The three speakers from each team are referred to respectively as the first speaker, the second speaker and the third speaker. Each team takes it in turns to speak, with the first affirmative speaker going before the first negative speaker, then the second affirmative speaker and so on.

Speaker roles

The first speakers are tasked with setting up the debate, as well as presenting their own arguments. The first affirmative presents definitions for keywords in the topic, conducts a team split (where they state what their team's arguments will be) and proposes a model (how they propose what they are arguing for will be carried out). The first negative speaker usually does not present definitions and proposes a counter-model (where they argue against the affirmative team's model and give their own model aligning with their side of the debate). The first negative also rebuts the first affirmative's arguments, and presents their own arguments.

The second speakers have the most simple tasks in the debate. Their role is to present arguments as well as rebut those of the opposing team.

The third speakers are primarily tasked with rebutting the opposition's arguments. Most of their speaking time should be taken up with rebuttal, and they are not allowed to present any new material, including arguments. After they have completed their rebuttal, their role is to summarise their team's arguments.

Speaking order

• First affirmative
• First negative
• Second affirmative
• Second negative
• Third affirmative
• Third negative