Oxford-Style Debate Format

Format

The debate will be “Oxford Style” and follow this format:

1. Opening Poll: We’ll start by polling the group to see how many people agree and disagree with the prompt.
2. Opening Arguments: The affirmative team will have up to 10 minutes for opening arguments. The negative team will then have up to 15 minutes to respond. Finally, the affirmative team will have up to 5 minutes to respond. Each team should prepare these remarks ahead of time. 
3. Audience Questions: Members of the audience will have 10 minutes to ask questions or respond to arguments made by either team. 
4. Closing Poll: We’ll conclude by polling the group to see if people have changed their position over the course of the debate.

Grading

The debate is worth 35% of your course grade. You are graded on the quality of your contribution — not on which side “wins” the poll. You may be assigned the harder position, and arguing a difficult side well earns full marks.

Component	Points	What earns full marks
Preparation & research	25	Prepared remarks show real research; arguments are grounded in evidence, cases, and the assigned readings — not just opinion.
Argument quality & structure	25	Clear thesis; logically organized points; anticipates and addresses the strongest counterarguments.
Rebuttal & responsiveness	20	Directly engages the other team’s points and audience questions, rather than repeating prepared talking points.
Use of evidence	15	Specific, accurate facts and precedents; clearly distinguishes evidence from assertion.
Delivery & engagement	10	Clear, persuasive, and professional; shares speaking time with teammates.
Teamwork & participation	5	Coordinates with teammates; contributes during the audience-question period.

The opening and closing polls are part of the format, not the grade — they exist to make the discussion lively, not to reward the “winning” side.