Debate teams must have 3 to 5 members from the same school, but only three can speak. Each gives an 8-minute constructive speech in the order of P1, O1, P2, O2, P3, and O3. Afterward, each team delivers a 4-minute Reply speech, starting with the Opposition and concluding with the Proposition.

Motions in debate will follow the format “This House” and typically use verbs like “would,” “believes that,” “supports,” or “regrets.” One team proposes the motion while the other opposes it. Events must include at least one impromptu motion in preliminaries for state qualification points, and elimination rounds must have at least one impromptu round if multiple elimination rounds are held.

*For the TFA State Tournament, half of the preliminary rounds and at least one fewer than half in elimination rounds must be impromptu.

Students can bring an English dictionary, a bilingual dictionary, and a single-volume encyclopedia or almanac to the debate. Other printed materials are allowed, but electronic devices are prohibited (except for mobile phones used for timing). Using electronic devices will result in a round loss.

Teams have one hour to prepare for impromptu motions after they are released. All members can participate, but they must work independently without outside help or internet access. Only a dictionary and a one-volume encyclopedia or almanac are allowed as resources.