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Home > Debate formats

Learn more about some of the different formats for competitive debates

Competitive debates give your students the chance to meet debaters from other schools and from around the world, and to speak in exciting venues. Who knows – your class may contain the next member of your national World Schools’ Debating Team! Find out more about some of the formats here…

MACE

This is a competitive format for teams of two used in the ESU Schools’ Mace Debating Competition.

Download the guide

EXTENDED MACE

This is a simple format for teams of three (and structured audience participation) used both in the classroom and in competitions.

Download the guide

BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY

This is a competitive format commonly used in university-run competitions.

Download the guide

Related programmes

Competition

Public Speaking Competition

Largest public speaking competition for schools in England and Wales, for students in Years 9 to 11.
Competition

Schools’ Mace

The oldest and largest debating competition for schools, for students in Years 7 to 13.
Programme

London Debate Challenge

Debating competition for Year 7, 8 & 9 students from London state/maintained schools


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