The Types of Debates

There are a two main of ways of dividing up the Types of Debates: 1 - Types of Resolutions, 2 -Formats/Rules used, 

1- Types of Resolutions. 

There are a few categories of debate resolutions that are used. The main ones are are Policy debates, Factual debates, Regrets debates, and Value debates. 

In Policy debates, the side in favour is arguing in favour of a particular policy, e.g. Canada needs to spend more on defence, or cell phones should be banned in schools. Typically the side in favour has to come up with a plan or method to achieve that policy. 

In Factual debates, the side in favour is arguing that something is true, e.g. human activity is causing climate change, or UFO's are real. 

In Regrets debates, the side in favour needs to prove that we would be better off if the thing that is mentioned had never happened, e.g. In the resolution We regret the discovery of nuclear energy, the proposition is arguing that we would be better off if we had never discovered nuclear energy.  They are not suggesting changing the situation now or even that it could have been stopped, merely that it is a shame that it happened.

In Value debates, the side in favour is arguing for a value statement, e.g. Safety is more important than security, or Loyalty is good. 

2 - Formats/rules: 

There are several styles of debate used in Canada, and they are explained below. The rules vary but the approaches are similar. Do not get too concerned with the details and terms. The vast majority of debates in Canada use a version of Canadian National Debate Style or British Parliamentary (BP).

Canadian National Style: 

Canadian Parliamentary Style: 

British Parliamentary Style: 

World Schools Style: 

Cross-Examination Debate: 

American Styles: