Format
Square Off debates are in modified Policy format, with only two speakers, three-minute constructive speeches, 30-second one-question cross-examination periods, and 1.5-minute rebuttal speeches. However, episodes leading to WUDC 2008 use a modified form of the British Parliamentary format, with only the first four speakers of the opening sides of the house participating, although speeches still remain at the standard seven minutes. Episodes broadcast in the run-up to the Asian Universities Debating Championship used a modified Asian Parliamentary format, with five-minute speeches. Currently, as part of the CVC Law Debates, Square Off uses a modified Policy format with five-minute constructive and 2.5-minute cross-examination speeches.
At the end of each debate, an adjudicator (for Policy format) or a panel of adjudicators (for British Parliamentary format) determine the winning speaker or, in British Parliamentary debates, the best speaker and the winning team. An audience poll conducted via text messaging also determines the "audience's choice" for the winning speaker or best speaker of the debate, although the audience poll does not affect the final result of the debate.
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