• Overview
• Rules and Regulation

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Are you great at winning arguments? Do you have the poise of a public speaker and the convincing tone of a scholar? Join debate to compete with others who are just like you.

Procedures:

1. Competitors will be involved in a one on one, extemporaneous style discussion against one another.
   
2. The competitors will debate with one another on one of the selected “debate topics,” which consists of a definitive statement (ex. “Affirmative Action provides a fair chance for students applying to colleges”).
   
3. One of the competitors assumes the role of Affirmative, who argues in support of the debate topic, and the other competitor assumes the role of Negative, who argues against the debate topic.
   
4. Both competitors are allowed structured timed slots to state their arguments, question one another, offer rebuttals, and then express their final thoughts on the topic.
   
5. During the final rebuttal speeches, debaters may not bring up any new arguments or new evidence except in direct refutation of material which has already been presented.
   
6. Competitors may use notes and outlines to the competition, which may be referred to at any point during the debate, and should be used to provide factual data and information that will enhance one's argument.
   

a. Searching the internet for any form of information during the round is not permitted.

1. Debaters will speak only when called upon by the judges
   
2. Debaters shall not use profane or offensive language.
   
3. The debate topics will be available at www.getmistified.com.
   

Round Structure:
Preliminary Round 1
1. All debaters are matched up with one another, one-on-one.
a. In the event that an odd number of debaters are present at the very first preliminary round of the Debate Tournament, even-numbered pairs will be made, with a randomized odd competitor given an automatic advancement to Preliminary Round 2.
2. All debaters regardless of round results advance to Preliminary Round 2.
Preliminary Round 2
1. Preliminary Round 2 will include all of the same debaters as Round 1, with no eliminations made from the previous round.
a. In the event that an odd number of debaters are present, the competitor who did not compete in Preliminary Round 2 will compete, and another competitor will be randomized to sit out.

1. Debaters will be paired up with different opponents, and offered a new debate topic.
   
2. Using the scores from both preliminary rounds, the top 8 scoring competitors will advance to the Quarter Finals Round.
   

Quarter-Finals Round

1. The Quarter-Finals Round will consist of 4 simultaneous debates between the top 8 competitors who advanced from the previous round.
   
2. A new debate topic will be given.
   
3. Upon the conclusion of this round, the winners of each debate will advance to the Semifinals Round.
   

Semi-Finals Round
The Semi-Finals Round will be held between the advancing competitors from the previous round, and will consist of 2 simultaneous debates between the 4 semifinalists.

1. Similarly, a new debate topic will be given for this round.
   
2. The 2 winners from this round will advance to the Final Round.
   

Final Round

1. The Final Round is held between the final 2 competitors from the previous round
   
2. The Final Round is the only round of Debate that is showcased to a general audience.
   

Competition Logistics:

1. This competition will be conducted in-person.
   
2. MIST ID and order of competition will be pre-assigned on a random selection basis.
   
3. Competitors shall report at the appropriate time to the designated place. Competitors shall be introduced to the judges by their MIST IDs.
   
4. The performance will be judged according to the Debate Detailed Ballot