Q&A
All you need to do before you participate in your first round!
HOW DO THE CALLS/ ROUNDS TAKE PLACE?
We use the online video conference platform Zoom to host all of our debate rounds. Before you sign up for your first debate round, you will need to download the software either from the App Store or on a computer.
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HOW DO I JOIN THE ZOOM CONFERENCE CALLS?
After creating an account, you will see "Join a meeting" in the top right hand corner of your screen (this is for computers). Each debate round will have its own chat organised by the adjudicator/ admin facilitating. Before the call begins, the admin will send a code to the group chat that participants will enter in. They should then automatically be able to connect to the call.
ZOOM HAS A 40 MINUTE LIMIT FOR CALLS. HOW WILL THAT BE DEALT WITH?
The instructions and motion will be given in an all together chat (apprx. 5 mins). Afterwards, both teams will have 15 minutes to prepare in separate calls. Then both teams will meet on a whole new call (still organised by the adjudicator) and debate for 24-32 minutes and have feedback for about 5 minutes. This way, none of the calls will take longer than 40 minutes. If for some reason the debate drags on for longer than 40 minutes, the adjudicator is responsible for organising a new call. While debating, all debators must have their group chat on Facebook open.
WHAT DO I NEED BEFORE I CAN SIGN UP FOR MY FIRST ROUND?
You need to have a Facebook profile and a Zoom (video conference platform) account. The rounds are organised through Facebook and take place over Zoom. Also, you need to know your time zone in terms of GMT.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR ROUNDS?
WSC Debate Practice will actively post potential debate rounds on Facebook. If you want to request a specific round at a specific time, you need 2 other people to also be willing to participate and state their names in the request message. To sign up, just simply state your name and priority level (this will be made clear in the posts) in the comment section of our Facebook posts. After priority is sorted out, actual participants will be contacted immediately through "first come first serve".
WHAT IS THE SYSTEM OF PRIORITY?
Because so many scholars want chances to practice debating, it is necessary that each round have a unique system of priority to match the needs of each individual scholar. In the Facebook updates and posts for each round, we will state a system of priority,
e.g. "This round is primarily for individuals who qualified but will not attend ToC, secondly, then for those attend Toc, and lastly for those who did not qualify."
WHAT ROLE DOES THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR DIVISION PLAY?
Sometimes the system of priority may contain specific instructions but generally speaking, the debates will be open to scholars of all ages.
WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY DEBATE TEAM?
Some rounds are hosted to help teams grow as a debating unit, others are for individuals to improve. As soon as we have the teams sorted out, we will give you each other's Facebook profiles/ names so you can get to know each other, sort out the speaking order, give each other tips, and grow more comfortable. But feel free to chat/ communicate through other social media platforms!
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON EACH TEAM?
For rounds that are less in demand, we will have 3 speakers per team to save time, since debates can drag on for quite long. But for rounds that seem to be high in demand, we will consider having 4 speakers per team. When signing up for a debate, always make sure your schedule allows you 15-30 minutes for flexibility.
IS THE DEBATING STRUCTURE THE SAME AS WSC?
Yes. There will be 3-4 speakers per team and speeches still must still be between 3-4 minutes. (There may be exceptions for some beginner rounds.) Feedback will still be given by the opposing team, and depending on time limits and the adjudicator, he/she may also give feedback.
HOW WILL I DISCUSS AND PLAN WITH MY TEAM WITHOUT THE OTHER TEAM HEARING?
After receiving your motion and instructions from the adjudicator, the proposition/ affirmative team will stay on the same call as the adjudicator and the opposition/ negative team will create their own call and prepare from there. After 15 minutes, both teams must stop and re-join the chat with the adjudicator and team Affirmative.
WHO ARE THE ADJUDICATORS?
WSC Online Debates has admins stationed all over the world who will be facilitating the debates and acting as adjudicators. They will introduce the motion, announce winners, and in some cases, deliver feedback. Prior to requesting a debate, you may contact one of the adjudicators and arrange to have them facilitate your debate round. Debate requests with a pre-planned adjudicator will almost always work out.
WHAT DO THE ADMINS DO AND HOW CAN I BECOME ONE?
The admins find 1-2 hour slots in their own free time and post this on the WSC Online Debate Facebook group. Once sign ups have been completed, they will contact all participants and connect teammates. During the debate, they must host the call and conduct it just as a WSC adjudicator would. They are also responsible for coming up with a motion.
To become an admin, contact Savanah James, the founder of WSC Online Debates, who will then give you more information.
Have a question that wasn't answered? Don't hesitate to send savanahrj2022@student.cis.edu.hk an email and an answer will be given within 24 hours and may be posted on the website.