Denver Urban Debate League
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Big Question Debate (BQ)

As Stated on the NSDA Website

Big Questions is a debate format supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. High
school and middle school students debate complex worldview questions. Big Questions debate format
involves opposing contestants debating a topic concerning the intersection of science, philosophy, and
religion. Students can compete as individuals or as a team, this means rounds can be 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, or 1
vs. 2. Topics will address deeply held beliefs that often go unexamined. Students are assigned a side of
the topic before each round and present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and participate in a
question period.
​

The topic this year

Resolved: Objective morality exists.

Time Limits of BQ Debate


Speech
Time
General Purpose
Affirmative Constructive
5 Minutes
​Present the affirmative case
Negative Constructive
5 Minutes
​Present the negative case
Question Segment
3 Minutes
Aff asks the 1st question. Following the 1st question, both speakers ask each other questions freely
Affirmative Rebuttal
4 Minutes
​“Attack” the negative case
Negative Rebuttal
4 Minutes
"​Attack” the affirmative case
Question Segment
3 Minutes
​A asks the 1st question. Following the 1st question, both speakers ask each other questions freely
Affirmative Consolidation
3 Minutes
​Debaters reduce the debate to core elements and identify areas they are winning and
strengthen the analysis and argumentation
Negative Consolidation
3 Minutes
​Debaters reduce the debate to core elements and identify areas they are winning and
strengthen the analysis and argumentation
Affirmative Rationale
3 Minutes
​Summary of central argument(s) and show
they have proven them in this debate. No new arguments.
Negative Rationale
3 Minutes
​Summary of central argument(s) and thow
they have proven them in this debate. No new arguments.
Prep Time
3 Minutes
​Both teams receive 3 minutes of prep time to be used at any time.

Office Location

University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. 2255 East Evans Avenue Suite 406, Denver, CO 80210

     contact US

Executive Director, Jessica Clark
JessicaClark@urbandebate.org

Program & Communications Manager, Gillian Breuer
GillianBreuer@urbandebate.org

Media Coordinator, Timothy Rubio
Timothy.Rubio@du.edu



​


​
Phone: 303-871-6575

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  • Home
  • About
    • History and Mission
    • DUDL Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Participating Schools
    • Tournament Events
  • Resources
    • For Coaches
    • For Students
    • For Judges
    • Middle School Debate
    • Self-Paced Modules
  • Media
    • Impact Stories
    • Articles
    • Blog
    • Photos
    • Social Media
  • Volunteer
    • Sign up for Shifts
    • Resources for Volunteers
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Sponsors
    • Partners
    • Season Sponsors
    • In Memoriam
  • Winter Workshop