Getting started

Does my child need any debate experience?

None at all. This is a novice event with simplified rules and free training resources. Most participants will be doing this for the first time.

What grades and ages can participate?

All Indiana middle-school and high-school students are eligible, including students enrolled in private schools or homeschooled. There are separate divisions for Middle School (Novice) and High School (Novice and Varsity).

How much does it cost?

Entry fees are waived through the generous support of The Walter Center for Career Achievement, and complimentary food and beverages are provided through the same support. Schools and/or families provide their own transportation.

How do we register?

Registration is through SpeechWire.com. The deadline has been extended: enter as soon as possible; adds and drops are accepted until October 5 at 5 p.m. Most students register with a teacher or coach; teachers can find the full set of dates on the For Teachers page.

What is Congressional Debate, in one sentence?

Students role-play as legislators, giving short speeches for and against proposed bills and questioning each other, under simple parliamentary rules — like a friendly, fast-moving model Congress. See the Overview.

What the day is like

How long is the day?

The day runs 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with awards from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Congressional Debate has three sessions, plus a lunch break and shorter breaks. See the full Schedule.

How much will my child speak?

A lot — that’s by design. Chambers are kept small, so most students give several speeches across the day, plus questioning. No one sits silent.

What should my child bring and wear?

Their prepared notes for both sides of the docket bills, something to write with, and a water bottle. Laptops and tablets are allowed under ISSDA rules; printed notes work just as well. Business attire is encouraged but not required, and judges will not factor wardrobe into rankings — comfortable and respectful is perfect. Full list on the Schedule page.

Will my child be prepared?

Yes, if they work through the Student Guide and prepare a couple of bills from the docket. The four-part speech is something a beginner can deliver on day one.

Is lunch provided?

Yes — complimentary food and beverages are provided, and students are welcome to bring their own food and snacks too. If your child has dietary needs or allergies, please note them at registration; we will try to accommodate dietary restrictions.

My child gets nervous speaking. Is that okay?

Completely okay, and common. Nearly every student entered in Novice is doing this for the very first time, judges score kindly against a novice standard, and a calm two-minute speech is a success. The Student Guide has tips for nerves.

For parents and observers

Can I watch my child debate?

Yes. Sessions are open to observers (after showing a government-issued photo ID at check-in); please enter and exit between speeches so you don’t interrupt a speaker. A warm, quiet presence is perfect.

Will photos or video be taken?

Photographs and/or video will be taken at this event. By taking part in this event, you grant the event organizers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform an event organizer.

Can I judge? I don’t know anything about debate.

Yes, please! No experience is needed. There’s a short briefing, and the Judge Guide walks you through the simple 1–6 rubric. Parents, teachers, and invited civic leaders all judge. Judges should arrive at 8:00 a.m. and bring a government-issued photo ID.

Can I judge my own child?

To keep things fair, judges are seated in chambers other than where their own student is competing. Just let the tournament office know of any connection.

Where do we park, and where do we go?

The tournament is at Ballantine Hall, 1020 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington. Free car parking (including ADA-accessible spaces) is available in the nearby Sycamore surface lot and the Atwater garage; free bus parking is available at the Stadium. Specific directions and room assignments will be posted by early October on the event page.

What is the Founding Documents Forum?

An optional, all-are-welcome gathering in Woodburn Hall 100 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. while results are tabulated and Varsity debaters finish their final rounds: short remarks and an open Q&A with Honorary Chief Judge Dawn Johnsen, introduced by Interim Executive Dean Caroline Chick Jarrold. A nice way to spend the time before awards.

Topics, fairness, and viewpoints

What will the bills be about?

Questions connected to the founding ideas of liberty, equality, and religious freedom — chosen to be relevant to young people today. The official docket is posted; the Sample Legislation page shows the style of a balanced brief.

Will my child be pushed toward a political viewpoint?

No. The core of this format is that students prepare and may be asked to argue both sides of every question — they don’t choose a side and aren’t advocating their own. Judges score the quality of reasoning, never the position. The goal is skill in fair, evidence-based argument, not any particular conclusion.

How do you keep judging fair across different beliefs?

Judges are explicitly instructed to reward clear reasoning, solid evidence, responsiveness, and courtesy — and not whether they personally agree (see the Judge Guide). Several independent judges score each student across the day, which keeps any one perspective from carrying undue weight.

Are the topics age-appropriate?

Yes. Bills are written for students and framed around civic principles, with balanced arguments on each side. Middle school debate is gentler still.

Scoring and awards

How are winners decided?

Each speech is scored 1–6 (6 is best), and judges rank the speakers each session (1st is best). Rankings combine across all three sessions to decide placements, with points and number of top rankings as tiebreakers. Details on the Format & Rules page.

What can my child win?

Top finishers in each division are recognized with premium awards. Every participant receives a commemorative keepsake; no one leaves empty-handed.

Does presiding (being the chamber leader) help or hurt?

It helps. The student Presiding Officer is scored for running a fair, smooth chamber, so volunteering to lead counts toward awards just like speaking.

Access and support

My child needs an accommodation. What should we do?

Please let us know as soon as possible so that we can do our best to meet your needs. Email Professor Candy Brown at [email protected] or text 812-269-2710. See the Accessibility page for what’s available.

Is the venue accessible?

The event is at Ballantine Hall, and we want it to work for participants, families, and judges. How to request support, and the accommodations we can offer, are on the Accessibility page.

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Still have a question? Check the Format & Rules for the mechanics, the Glossary for any unfamiliar word, or email Professor Candy Brown at [email protected] or text 812-269-2710.