Embedded Files
Middle School EXTEMP DEBATE
The Middle School Program is open to all students grades 6-8
with a parent who resides in Centerville or Washington Township,
not just the Centerville City School system.
To access most documents,
you will need to log in with your Centerville Google Account
An Introduction to Extemp Debate.mp4What is Extemp Debate?
What is Extemp Debate?
A video explanation of what we'll be doing in November and December as you prepare to compete in MS Tournaments.
WHAT IS EXTEMP DEBATE?
MIDDLE SCHOOL
COMPETITION RULES
AND FORMS
EXTEMP DEBATE
FROM THE CITRON ONLINE DEBATE DISTRICT
EXTEMP DEBATE HANDOUTS, EXPLANATIONS, AND EXAMPLES
Extemporaneous Debate is a one-on-one format where debaters are given a resolution shortly before the round begins, typically one hour prior. Participants are assigned to either the affirmative or negative side and must quickly prepare arguments without access to outside resources. The format consists of constructive speeches, cross-examinations, rebuttals, and closing arguments, all with strict time limits. Extemp Debate emphasizes critical thinking, quick analysis, and the ability to articulate arguments concisely. Success requires broad knowledge of current events, logical reasoning skills, and the capacity to adapt arguments on the fly.
Typical Round Length: 20-25 minutes
Typical Number of Students: 2 (one affirmative, one negative)
What is Extemp Debate?
What is Extemp Debate?
Are you good at thinking on your feet and brainstorming? Are your comfortable researching on a computer? Are you good at speaking and listening . . . without the use of notes?
RULES and TOPICS
ms_extemp_debate_osda_cem.pdfOSDA RULES FOR EXTEMP DEBATE
Extemp Debate NSDA Competition Guide.pdfNSDA COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Middle School Extemporaneous Debate
extemp_debate_sample_topics.pdfOSDA Past Topics for Middle School Extemporaneous Debate
Flowing ExplainedFlowing Explained
Flowing Example in Extemp Debate
SPARDebateonFlowSheet16.09.01Flow Template
Click on the bottom for Pro or Aff
Preparing for Extemporaneous Debate.pdfPreparing for Extemporaneous
Debate
Extemp_Debate__Your_First_Case.mp4Beginner's Guide to
Extemporaneous Debate:
Strategy and Structure
Beginner's Guide to
Extemporaneous Debate:
Strategy and Structure
Persuasion
Tips for writing a persuasive speech
Types of Arguments Deontology
Improve Your Mechanism
Types of Arguments Utalitarianism
How to Flow Video
Types of Arguments Meritocracy
Video Archive
National Champions Extemporaneous
Debate
Check the bottom of each video page and you can follow the text of the debate.
Types of Arguments Libertarianism
V I D E O S
How to Flow
How to Flow
Cross X and Rebuttals
Cross X and Rebuttals
These cover Lincoln Douglas, too.
Unbreakable_Arguments.mp4Making Arguments in Debate
Deductive Argument
Inductive Argument
Argumentative Fallacies
Exercises in Argumentation
SPLEEEMM A Secret Weapon for Brainstorming Arguments.mp4Terminology, Argumentation and
Logical Fallacies
Terminology, Argumentation and
Logical Fallacies
These cover Lincoln Douglas, too.
But Don't Worry So Much about
Value Premise!
But Don't Worry So Much about
Value Premise!
SPLEEEMM
A Secret Weapon for Brainstorming Arguments
Debate TerminologyDebate Terminology Quiz!
MUST ACCESS WITH SCHOOL CHROMEBOOK
Extemp Debate Finals Video
Extemp Debate Finals Video
This is the 2016 High School Final Round, but the concepts depicted are the same. The students had a little bit more time to prepare, and their format is slightly different, but you can watch the video to learn about arguments, rebuttals, evidence and cross examination.
Hey, you can try flowing this debate!
Video Debate to Watch and Flow
Compare to your flow to this one
Learn from the Round Ballot
Coming Soon! Guide to Extemp Debate Ballots
In mid-March 2026, the Middle School Extemp Debate Coaches were asked to watch an NSDA Extemp Debate Final Round, flow the debate, and then write a ballot. As soon as they complete my request, I will post their documents here.
Middle Schoolers, here is YOUR task:
Watch and flow a debate.
Create your own "ballot." What coaching would you give to the two debaters? Note the strengths and weaknesses of the competitors.
AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED STEPS ONE AND TWO, open the links in order to see what the coaches say about the debate.
Now, learn from the process!
How were your flowing notes? Did you pick up on the details and include all of the arguments?
Did you notice if any arguments were dropped? Were the same arguments repeated without additional, new support?
Did you note any use of Ethos, Pathos or Logos? Logos is the easiest to insert into a debate, but Pathos and Ethos can be very effective persuasive techniques--especially in your opening.
Coach Debate to Watch Flow Link Ballot Link
Rohan NSDA Extemp Debate 2024 Final Round
Vidhi NSDA Extemp Debate 2025 Final Round Vidhi's Flow 2025 Round Vidhi's Ballot for NSDA Final Round
Shobhit NSDA Extemp Debate 2023 Final Round
Vasakan NSDA Extemp Debate 2022 Final Round
Dharmendra NSDA Extemp Debate 2019 Final Round
Coach, I want to be really GOOD at Extemp Debate! I know that 90 minutes of practice each week is probably not enough to move me ahead of the other competitors,
so how can I prepare at home?
How do
* general knowledge,
* speaking practice,
* and listening skill development
🤯interrelate for extemporaneous debate success?
Yes, use the links above to watch debates, flow the arguments & compare your analysis to that of some of our coaches. Take the time to listen to a news podcast on the bus each day, watch and read the news, but how about playing some debate games??
Hint: Meet up online with a debate friend and play this debate game!
OR
Practice your argumentation skills with this online debate game!
If you like a little more "reality," debate against folks from history!
Can you recognize logical fallacies if your opponent tries to use them?
How well would you do making political decisions for your people?
I haven't tried this one out, but it's a HUGE website of debate activities to play online vs AI or against others.
If you are looking for unbiased news sources, Reuters and Associated Press are the best.
A Super-Easy Way
to Learn the News
A Super-Easy Way
to Learn the News
You're on the bus. You're in the car. You're eating lunch. You're walking your dog.
Why not learn something from the news through this podcast
widen your knowledge in preparation for Extemp Debate?
Yes, there are actually apps you can put on your phone that will time your rounds for you! Click above for iOs and Android options.
Top Debate Apps
so much better to do during tournament downtime!
Debate - Party Game (MWM): Focuses on group interaction for parties or friends. It assigns random sides (white/black) to a topic, encouraging fast, often humorous arguments
Debate Arena (dev367): An educational app focusing on rhetoric, allowing users to debate AI opponents. It teaches techniques like identifying "straw man" or "ad hominem" attacks
Debate Master AI: Features real-time AI-powered research, helping users find facts for arguments, specifically catering to creating concise arguments for social media
Physical/Hybrid Debate Games
Arguable Truths: A card-based party game where players use 30-second timers to debate topics using objection and rebuttal cards
Debatable: A party game where players receive modifier cards (e.g., specific roles/traits) that alter how they must debate the topic, with a judge determining the winner
Key Features of Debate Game Apps
Randomized Sides: Often force users to argue against their personal beliefs to improve critical thinking
AI Opponents: Used in apps like Debate Arena to provide instant, structured feedback
Timer-Based Arguments: Encourage fast thinking and concise speech.
Topics: Range from lighthearted ("cats vs. dogs") to serious political or philosophical issues
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