Club Debate Guide

Manhattan Chowder & Debate Society


A debate in your club, or between your club and another, varies and enlivens your program. A good debate, whether impromptu or prepared, satisfies participants and audience alike. A bad debate, however, disappoints everyone, particularly those who orga nize and promote it. So, how do you do a good debate?

This guide will help you to succeed, but of course, it offers no magic formulas. It can only help you to set up your debates, manage them, and learn from them. Your success depends mostly on your own diligence and imagination.

None of the material in this guide is copyrighted; you are welcome to use and reproduce it freely. However, we worked hard on it and ask that you credit us and notify us of its use. Also, we want your suggestions as to how we can improve the Club Debate Guide.