World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a three-on-three international debate format competed across dozens of countries worldwide. It combines prepared and impromptu motions, structured Points of Information (POIs), and a unique reply speech system. This guide covers the complete speech order, POI rules, and how to time a WSDC round.
Automatic POI window signal, all 8 speeches preloaded, two-device sync. No signup.
Open WSDC timer →| # | Speech | Side | Time | POI Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 2 | 1st Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 3 | 2nd Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 4 | 2nd Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 5 | 3rd Proposition | PROP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 6 | 3rd Opposition | OPP | 8:00 | 1:00 – 7:00 |
| 7 | Opposition Reply | OPP | 4:00 | None |
| 8 | Proposition Reply | PROP | 4:00 | None |
No prep pool. Speeches run back-to-back. The Opposition reply is delivered before the Proposition reply.
POIs are one of the defining features of World Schools debate. During each 8-minute main speech, the opposing team may offer POIs between the 1-minute and 7-minute marks — the first and last minute are protected time.
To offer a POI, a debater stands and says "Point of information" or "On that point." The speaker may accept or decline. A speaker who accepts a POI allows the opposing debater to ask a brief question or make a short interjection (maximum 15 seconds). The speaker's clock continues running during an accepted POI.
Good speakers accept 1-2 POIs per speech. Accepting too few is considered evasive. DebateClock shows an amber POI badge on the debater display that appears at 1:00 and disappears at 7:00, signaling when POIs may be offered.
Reply speeches are 4 minutes each and are delivered by either the 1st or 2nd speaker — not the 3rd speaker. The reply speech is a biased adjudication of the round: the speaker summarizes why their team won without introducing new arguments. The Opposition replies first, then the Proposition has the last word.