This type of debate is used in university settings, and consists of two debaters on each side, as well as the Speaker. The Speaker acts as judge, ensuring all rules are applied to the debate. One team represents the Government, while the other team represents the opposition. The government team consists of a main debater called the Prime Minister who speaks twice, and a Member of Government who speaks once. The opposing team is called the opposition, whose job is to disprove the Government's arguments. The Speaker decides which team has won the debate.
Two contestants debate topics with a focus on moral issues. Also called a value debate, the name derives from a debate on slavery between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in an Illinois election, in the mid 1800s. Public or private schools enter into these types of debates periodically, with the debate topic chosen by local public school debate organizations.
Also called a policy debate or team debate, two teams of two students represent affirmative and negative positions, focusing on topics pertaining to government or public policy. Private and public schools enter into these debates, typically lasting all year long.
The Academic debate is structured with two teams, with one team holding an affirmative viewpoint on a topic, and the other team holding the opposing viewpoint. Both sides offer reasons for and against the topic. The two teams communicate with each other, but also with an audience. The job of both teams is to persuade the audience to adopt the team's viewpoint. In some cases, the audience gives its decision at the end of the debate as to which viewpoint it has adopted.