The exact wording of the motions will not be released until 25 minutes before the start of each debate round. However, the five topic areas are:
Single Sex Education
CO2 Emissions
National Service
The Arctic
Torture
It should also be noted that this is not necessarily the order in which the topics will be debated. Furthermore, participants will not know which side they will be debating until 25 minutes prior to the round.
So, what does this really mean? Or, what is the difference between announcing a topic area and an actual motion for debate? To answer those questions, here are two examples that will not be debated at our tournament.
Topic Area 1: Tax Rebates
Motion 1: This house believes tax rebates are the wrong way to stimulate the economy
Topic Area 2: Beijing Olympics
Motion 2: This house would boycott the Beijing Olympics
While announcing the topic areas in advance does not truly conform to the World's Style of debate, which is extemporaneous in nature, we believe that providing some predictability will enhance the overall quality of debates during this first year of the Annual Northern Lights Open. In short, we recognize that all of the debaters will be competing in this format for the very first time. Thus, we hope to aid their ability to make the most out of this first experience. In future years, we hope to compete using a truly extemporaneous form of debate.
