CM 227: Public Advocacy and Argumentation Fendrich R. Clark
Debate Formats
Academic debate is the carrying-out of argumentation in a formal setting. Within the context of academic
debate there exist rules and procedures which govern how the argumentative process is to be conducted.
Some of these rules concern the format and sequence of speeches. Others concern the responsibilities of
each debater. The following details the format, sequence, and time allotments for two standard American
team debates—Oxford debate and Cross-examination (Oregon style) debate.
Oxford Debate format Host (time limits) College Academic (time limits)
First Affirmative Constructive (1st AC) Speech 7 minutes 10 minutes
First Negative Constructive (1st NC) Speech 7 minutes 10 minutes
nd
Second Affirmative Constructive (2 AC) Speech 7 minutes 10 minutes
nd
Second Negative Constructive (2 NC) Speech 7 minutes 10 minutes
Preparation time 6 minutes 10 minutes
First Negative Rebuttal (1st NR) Speech 4 minutes 5 minutes
First Affirmative Rebuttal (1st AR) Speech 4 minutes 5 minutes
Second Negative Rebuttal (2nd NR) Speech 4 minutes 5 minutes
nd
Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2 AR) Speech 4 minutes 5 minutes
Total time 50 minutes 70 minutes
Cross-Examination (Oregon Style) Debate format Host College Academic
st
1 AC Speech 6 minutes 8 minutes
Cross-Examination of 1st AC by 2nd NC 2 minutes 3 minutes
1st NC Speech 6 minutes 8 minutes
st st
Cross-Examination of 1 NC by 1 AC 2 minutes 3 minutes
nd
2 AC Speech 6 minutes 8 minutes
Cross-Examination of 2nd AC by 1st NC 2 minutes 3 minutes
2nd NC Speech 6 minutes 8 minutes
nd nd
Cross-Examination of 2 NC by 2 AC 2 minutes 3 minutes
Preparation time 6 minutes 10 minutes
1st NR Speech 3 minutes 5 minutes
st
1 AR Speech 3 minutes 5 minutes
nd
2 NR Speech 3 minutes 5 minutes
2nd AR Speech 3 minutes 5 minutes
Total time 50 minutes 74 minutes