Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

What is SuperDebate?

Accepted Answer

SuperDebate is where people show up, get a topic, and debate. Judges score you on four core criteria: arguments, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. Think competitive sport, but for arguing. Anyone can join. No experience required.

Question 2

What makes SuperDebate different?

Accepted Answer

SuperDebate is a league, not just an app. You get a topic, 5-10 minutes to prep, then you debate in front of judges who score you on four core criteria. Clubs run regular nights, results go on your record, and it all builds toward tournaments. Timed rounds, real judges, a winner on the merits.

Question 3

Do I need debate experience to join?

Accepted Answer

No. Most people at a SuperDebate night have never debated before. Show up, pick a side, jump in. Watch one round if you want. By the second, you'll wish you were in it.

Question 4

Is SuperDebate free to use?

Accepted Answer

It's free to join, compete in debates, and build your profile. Debating is free.

Question 5

How can I get started with SuperDebate?

Accepted Answer

Sign up, find a club or event near you, and show up. You can watch a debate first if you want to see how it works. But honestly, just jump in.

Question 6

What can I do without an account?

Accepted Answer

Quite a bit. Without signing in you can watch live and recorded debates and browse clubs, events, and topics. A free account adds the rest: voting on who won, creating or joining a debate, joining a club, judging with a full ballot, training, and building a profile.

Question 7

What are SuperDebate's limits?

Accepted Answer

Debates run from 1v1 up to 5v5, with up to 10 debaters on stage, and can go as long as 180 minutes if you want a marathon. Clubs hold up to 100 members. Comments and posted arguments can be up to 5000 characters, uploads up to 10 MB, and invitations last 30 days before they expire.

Question 8

How do I join a debate event?

Accepted Answer

Find events on our Events page, show up, and compete! Topics and sides are assigned at the event. You get 5-10 minutes of prep once the topic drops. Come ready to think fast.

Question 9

How do debates work?

Accepted Answer

Debates range from 15-60 minutes, and a standard round runs about 28 minutes. Each debate includes opening statements, cross-examinations, rebuttals, and closings. Fast, fair, and scored.

Question 10

How does debate scoring work?

Accepted Answer

Debaters are scored on four core criteria: arguments, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. The standard judge scorecard expands those into six line items: argument quality, refutation, evidence and research, delivery, organization, and persuasiveness. Each line is scored 1-5 stars and weighted equally, for a total out of 30 points. Organizers can adapt the criteria for their events. These scores decide who wins and go on your record.

Question 11

What are Community Points?

Accepted Answer

Community Points are fun engagement rewards you earn for being active on the platform - posting practice arguments on topic pages, rating others' ideas, and organizing events. They're like Reddit karma - purely for online engagement, not related to actual debate competition scores.

Question 12

Do I need to prepare topics?

Accepted Answer

Most events give you 5-10 minutes of prep time once your topic is revealed. Topics and sides are assigned at the event. Some events share topics in advance for deeper preparation. It's about quick thinking combined with solid argumentation.

Question 13

What if I lose?

Accepted Answer

Losing is part of the game! Every debate makes you sharper. Stick around after to discuss with opponents and judges. The community aspect is as important as the competition.

Question 14

What debate formats and lengths are there?

Accepted Answer

SuperDebate runs one flexible format with team sizes from 1v1 up to 5v5. Online you can pick 1v1, 2v2, or Relay, and set the pace to short (about 4 minutes), standard (about 10 minutes), long (about 20 minutes), or custom rounds. We do not run Oxford, Lincoln-Douglas, or Policy style formats, just our one flexible format.

Question 15

Can I find someone to debate right now?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use Find an Opponent: pick a topic and your side, and we match you with someone who wants the other side, then drop you both into a live 1 on 1 room. You can also jump into an open debate that already has a free seat.

Question 16

Can I watch recorded debates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you do not need an account to watch. SuperDebate has featured recorded debates on big questions, like Jordan vs LeBron, that you can watch any time. Sign in and you can also score the debaters yourself and see how the community voted.

Question 17

How do online video debates work?

Accepted Answer

Start one in one tap from the go live page: pick a topic, side, format, and pace, then share the link to bring in an opponent and an audience. The debate runs in a live video room with a speaking timer. Recording is on by default so it can become a watchable replay, and the host can turn it off.

Question 18

What technology do I need to participate?

Accepted Answer

A computer or phone with a stable internet connection, a microphone, and ideally a camera. A headset and a quiet room make a big difference.

Question 19

How do virtual debates work?

Accepted Answer

Virtual debates take place in our debate rooms, which include video conferencing, timer tools, and moderator controls. The platform ensures speaking times are enforced and provides spaces for judges to score and provide feedback.

Question 20

Is my personal information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your information is protected under our Privacy Policy, you control what shows on your public profile, and we don't share your data with third parties without your consent.

Question 21

Can I use SuperDebate on my mobile device?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Mobile is great for browsing topics, voting, and following events. For a live debate, use a desktop: bigger timer, steadier video, room to think.

Question 22

How do I start a club?

Accepted Answer

Starting a club is easy! Create a Club page, set your location and schedule, then promote it to build your local community. We provide tools for event creation, member management, and growth tracking.

Question 23

How do I become a judge?

Accepted Answer

There's no certification hoop. Learn the scorecard, do the quick onboarding on our How It Works: Judges page, and you can judge at your first event. Good judges are always in demand!

Question 24

Can I host events in my city?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Create a club, find a venue, and start hosting. Cafes, libraries, and community centers all work. We handle the tech. You make it happen.

Question 25

How do rankings work?

Accepted Answer

Two separate systems. Competition scores come from judges and decide who wins: those make your record. Community Points are karma for showing up: posting arguments, organizing events, being a regular. One builds your record, the other builds your reputation.

Question 26

How do invitations work?

Accepted Answer

Organizers can invite you to a club or event by email or link, and you accept or decline from your email or your dashboard. Invitations expire after 30 days. For a live debate, a host can invite you to a seat, or you can request to join or challenge someone, and the host approves it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Format Comparisons

vs Oxford-Style Debate

vs Policy Debate

vs Lincoln-Douglas Debate

vs Public Forum Debate

vs Parliamentary Debate

Still Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Format Comparisons

vs Oxford-Style Debate

vs Policy Debate

vs Lincoln-Douglas Debate

vs Public Forum Debate

vs Parliamentary Debate

Still Have Questions?