The debate format we use at The Argue Brothers is a variation of the Oxford Union debate style. The Oxford Union debate format provides a balance between structure, with its formal series of steps and time limits, and audience participation. The audience is normally encouraged to ask questions of both sides in the debate and determines the outcome of the debate by voting.
The use of a dual voting system with a pre-debate vote and the post-debate vote not only helps to determine the winner of the debate, it also requires the audience to exercise their own internal debate. Audience members need to use critical thinking to determine the veracity and logic used by the debaters as well as question their own stance on the subject. They use the arguments presented to question their own beliefs and to come to a determination if the debaters have swayed them to their positions.
Or, at least away from their own presuppositions.
In addition to the polls provided to the audience, we encourage you to get involved in other ways. We encourage you to interact with the Argue Brothers and each other by fully utilizing the comment section to engage us – and each other – in conversation. Let us know what you thought of are debates – style, content, and substance. Did we miss something or is there an expansion you would like to make on one of the points? Keep it civil and respectful at all times as we reserve the right to monitor and moderate the comment section. Part of the point is to disagree civilly.
Pre debate:
- Results of vote from previous debate are announced
- Results of vote regarding debaters actual position on the topic are announced
- Actual position of debaters is revealed
- Announcement of who will be taking the proponent and opposition positions for the present debate
- Results of pre-debate vote on the proposition is announced
Debate:
- Proposition is restated for the audience
- Proponent for the proposition will be allotted a maximum of 10 minutes to present their argument
- Opposition to the proposition will be allotted a maximum of 10 minutes to present their argument
- The opposition will be allowed a maximum of 10 minutes to question the proponent on their argument
- The proponent will be allowed a maximum of 10 minutes to question the opponent on their argument
- The proponent will be allowed a maximum of 5 minutes to make closing arguments
- The opponent will be allowed a maximum of 5 minutes to make closing arguments
- Audience is directed to vote on their reaction to the debate in one of three categories (they may vote the same as in the pre debate vote or they may change their position):
- For the proposition
- Against the proposition
- Undecided about the proposition
- Audience is directed to vote on their perception of the debaters actual position on the proposition:
- Ryan supports the position he defended
- Ryan opposes the position he defended
- Bill supports the position he defended
- Bill opposes the position he defended
Post-debate:
- Debate topic for next debate is randomly chosen
- The audience is presented with the topic in the form of an affirmative proposition (i.e. “Mom says we should give all prisoners the right to vote)
- Audience is given a chance to cast a pre-debate vote for the proposition in one of three categories:
- For the proposition
- Against the proposition
- Undecided about the proposition
- Debater for and debater against the proposition is assigned randomly and secretly
The Argue Brothers 