During public debate, pro and con speeches are designed to construct sound arguments either for or against the topic issue. Typically, the debate will feature multiple rounds of pro and con speeches, with each round featuring one pro speech and one con speech. During the first round, each speech must contain a brief introduction to frame the particular side's point of view regarding the issue. Subsequent pro and con speeches must build arguments with the goal of directly opposing the speeches made by the other side.
Crossfire takes place between rounds of constructive speeches. During the crossfire round, debaters from each team engage in direct question-and-answer interaction with the other team. Crossfire sessions taking place between rounds of constructive speeches will involve only the speakers involved in the crossfire round. Some debates may contain a grand crossfire round including all members from both teams.
Summary speeches take place following the final round of constructive speeches. The summary speech must effectively wrap up everything that has taken place in the previous sections of the debate while adhering to a time limit. The summary speech must also accurately represent the team's argument. The team making the final summary speech has the option to include additional refutation based on the first team's summary speech.
The final focus round of a public forum debate allows each team to make a case regarding why they "won" the debate. No new arguments can be introduced in the final focus speech, but new evidence may be included to further build the existing argument. Strategies for effective final focus speeches include focusing on the team's strongest argument, selecting the argument that most likely will appeal to the audience or judges, and turning an argument from the opposing team into support for the speaking team's argument.