World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a three-on-three international debate format competed across dozens of countries worldwide. It combines prepared and impromptu motions, structured Points of Information (POIs), and a unique reply speech system. This guide covers the complete speech order, POI rules, and how to time a WSDC round.
Automatic POI window signal, all 8 speeches preloaded, two-device sync. No signup.
Open WSDC timer →| # | Speech | Side | Time | POI Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 2 | 1st Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 3 | 2nd Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 4 | 2nd Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 5 | 3rd Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 6 | 3rd Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 7 | Opposition Reply | OPP | 4:00 | None |
| 8 | Proposition Reply | PROP | 4:00 | None |
No prep pool. Speeches run back-to-back. The Opposition reply is delivered before the Proposition reply.
POIs are one of the defining features of World Schools debate. During each 8-minute main speech, the opposing team may offer POIs between the 1-minute and 7-minute marks — the first and last minute are protected time.
To offer a POI, a debater stands and says "Point of information" or "On that point." The speaker may accept or decline. A speaker who accepts a POI allows the opposing debater to ask a brief question or make a short interjection (maximum 15 seconds). The speaker's clock continues running during an accepted POI.
Good speakers accept 1-2 POIs per speech. Accepting too few is considered evasive. DebateClock shows an amber POI badge on the debater display that appears at 1:00 and disappears at 7:00, signaling when POIs may be offered.
World Schools debate is used at national and international championships across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) brings together national teams annually, with each country fielding a team of three speakers. Many national circuits — including those in Singapore, Australia, South Africa, the Philippines, and the UK — use the World Schools format as their primary competition style.
Tournaments typically use a mix of prepared motions (announced weeks in advance) and impromptu motions (announced one hour before the round). Prepared motions allow deeper research and case construction, while improknowledge.
Reply speeches are 4 minutes each and are delivered by either the 1st or 2nd speaker — not the 3rd speaker. The reply speech is a biased adjudication of the round: the speaker summarizes why their team won without introducing new arguments. The Opposition replies first, then the Proposition has the last word.
World Schools Debating (WSDC) is a three-on-three international debate format used at national championships and the World Schools Debating Championships. Two teams of three speakers — Proposition and Opposition — compete across eight speeches including six constructives and two reply speeches. The format combines prepared and impromptu motions, Points of Information, and a unique reply speech system where the Opposition replies before the Proposition.
World Schools is the dominant international format across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australasia. Countries including Singapore, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, the Philippines, India, and over 50 others compete in WSDC-affiliated tournaments.
WSDC tournaments use a mix of two motion types:
The ratio of prepared to impromptu motions varies by tournament. Major international competitions like WSDC typically use a mix, with preliminary rounds often being impromptu and elimination rounds being prepared.
WSDC judges evaluate matter (content and arguments), manner (delivery and presentation), and method (structure and strategy). Each criterion is weighted equally in most WSDC circuits.
Practical judging notes:
WSDC and BP are the two dominant international formats but differ significantly in structure:
WSDC and Asian Parliamentary share the same basic structure (2 teams of 3, reply speeches) but differ in speech length and motion style:
Full Asian Parliamentary vs WSDC comparison →