Karl Popper debate format

# of people in the debate: 6
# of people in a team: 3
# of teams in the debate: 2
Duration of the speeches: 5 minutes

Order of the speeches:

1. Affirmative Speaker 1 [6 minutes]
2. Negative Speaker 3 responds to Affirm. Speaker 1 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross-questioning)]
3. Negative Speaker 1 6 minutes
4. Affirmative Speaker 3 responds to Neg. Speaker 1 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross-questioning)]
5. Affirmative Speaker 2 6 minutes
6. Negative Speaker 1 responds to Affirm. Speaker 2 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross questioning)]
7. Negative Speaker 2 6 minutes
8. Affirmative Speaker 1 responds to Neg. Speaker 2 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross questioning)]
9. Affirmative Speaker 3 [5 minutes]
10. Negative Speaker 3 [5 minutes]

Questions format: Cross examination

Short description: Special in this format is the prep time, where the teams can use 8 minutes, that they need to divide for all three speeches, and prepare before they go and make a speech. 

First aff speaker will outline a case, present a plan, if needed and present arguments/benefits. First opp speaker will challenge the definitions (if needed, but normally not) and negate the arguments of 1st aff. She also needs to present her own constructive arguments against the motion. 2nd aff speaker has to re-establish the aff arguments presented in the 1st speech, and develop them, and add (mostly one) new argument. He also has to negate the arguments that were presented by the 1st opp speaker. 2nd opp speaker has to do the same. Re-establish own arguments, present new arguments and  

Used in: High school and primary school in Europe and United states of America.

3.5/5 (2 Reviews)

7 thoughts on “Karl Popper debate format

  1. Have a debate topic like this…TODAY’s FAMOUS ROLE MODELS ARE NOT GOOD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE…..can i have points on the aff 3rd speaker

  2. Using the Karl Popper style for the topic; school prefects are a liability to a school can I have points for the first aff side

    1. here you only need to give areasons if your affim as to why do you think that schooll prefects are reliabilty…..

  3. one of the sloppiest descriptions of a debate format I have ever seen. It is a messy debate format, and hard to describe clearly.

    1) Affirmative Speaker 1 [6 minutes]
    2) Negative Speaker 3 responds to Affirm. Speaker 1 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross-questioning)]
    3) Negative Speaker 1 6 minutes
    4) Affirmative Speaker 3 responds to Neg. Speaker 1 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross-questioning)]
    5) Affirmative Speaker 2 6 minutes
    6) Negative Speaker 1 responds to Affirm. Speaker 2 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross questioning)]
    7) Negative Speaker 2 6 minutes
    8) Affirmative Speaker 1 responds to Neg. Speaker 2 [3 minutes (rebuttal/cross questioning)]
    9) Affirmative Speaker 3 [5 minutes]
    10) Negative Speaker 3 [5 minutes]

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