Toronto Debating Society
By following a strict timetable, debaters learn to refine their thoughts into professionally-delivered presentations with crisp and polished arguments. The essence of a good debate is arguments that are clear, concise and cogent.
The Time Keeper makes possible the smooth running of a fair debate by ensuring that debaters are kept informed of the established time limit for their presentation. If speech continues after time has elapsed, the Speaker will intervene.
A participant may take a moment upon arriving at the podium to arrange their notes or to initialize a personal time piece. In general, the time keeper should begin the stopwatch once the first word is spoken.
Timing specifications
| Impromptu | Time elapsed One bell |
||
| Impromptu participant | 1:00 | ||
| . | |||
| Debate | If POI Permitted One bell |
Warning One bell |
Time Elapsed Two bells |
| Prime Minister | 1:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
| Leader of the Opposition | 1:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 |
| Member of the Government | 1:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 |
| Member of the Opposition | 1:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 |
| Opposition summation (LO) | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| Government summation (PM) | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| . | |||
| Cross Examination Debate | Warning One bell |
Time Elapsed Two bells |
|
| Prime Minister | 4:00 | 5:00 | |
| Leader of the Opposition questions the PM Leader of the Opposition |
1:00 4:00 |
2:00 5:00 |
|
| Member of the Government questions the LO Member of the Government |
1:00 4:00 |
2:00 5:00 |
|
| Member of the Opposition questions the MG Member of the Opposition |
1:00 4:00 |
2:00 5:00 |
|
| Prime Minister questions the MO | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| Opposition summation (LO) | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| Government summation (PM) | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| . | |||
| Mini-Debate Marathon | Warning One bell |
Time Elapsed Two bells |
|
| Prime Minister | 1:00 | 2:00 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | 2:00 | 3:00 | |
| Prime Minister | 1:00 | ||
| . | |||
| Floor participation (while Adjudicator is out) | Time Elapsed One bell |
||
| Comments and observations | 1:00 | ||
| . | |||
| Adjudication verdict | Warning One bell |
Time Elapsed Two bells |
|
| Adjudicator | 6:00 | 7:00 | |