2v2 Modified Mace Format

This is a well structured format based on the Mace debate format with some Oxford Debate format elements. This consists of two teams of two people. There are 4 separate topics. Each team presents two topics. Each team rebuts the other team’s topics. There is a discussion for each topic and the original presenter of a topic gets a summary of the topic.

Format

  • Introductions with no presentation of evidences.
    • Simple intro and short non-debate topics
    • Intentions for the debate
    • Website links or other contact information
    • ~2 minutes per team

  • Topic 1:
    • Team 1, Speaker A:
      • 6 minute presentation of evidence
      • Uninterrupted, except for Point of Information requests, see below
    • Team 2, Any speaker
      • 6 minute rebuttal
      • Uninterrupted, except for Point of Information requests, see below
    • Questions
      • Questions must be ready to go immediately when this section stars to respect the schedule
      • Questions from audience:
        • Questions are selected from the audience
        • 2 questions directed to the team making the claim (Team 1 in this round), no immediate response from the team
        • 1 minute maximum to ask each question
        • Questions selected by moderator or representative of opposing team
        • If no questions are asked or the format doesn’t allow for audience questions, format is adjusted to allow opposing team more questions
      • Questions from opposing team:
        • 1 or 2 question from opposing team, no immediate response from the team
    • Team 2, Any speaker summary
      • 4 minutes
      • Speaker should not introduce any new material, but should rebut their opponents’ case, and summarize their own case
    • Team 1 summary
      • 4 minutes
      • Speaker should not introduce any new material, but should instead respond to questions, rebut their opponents’ case, and summarize their own case

This repeats a total of 4 times. Teams alternate presenting topics. The timing proposed gives 30 minutes per topic. The total time is 2 hours, but there will be inevitable delays, and other things that interrupt the flow. This will likely be 2.5 hours total total.

Timings and number of questions can be adjusted to suit the venue and schedule.

Point of Information

During the presentation speech, but not during the summary, the opposing side may request at most 2 Points of Information. During the first and last minute of the speech a POI is not allowed.

To request a POI, interject by saying “POI”. The speaker will quickly complete their thought and allow the POI to be stated. At most 15 seconds are allowed, the speaker will immediately explain the answer to the POI.

For more information on POI: