Oxford-Style
Two sides, timed speeches, audience vote before and after. Works well for clubs and public events.
Structured Discussion Guide
Run better debates on the Enhanced Games
Balance autonomy, safety, fairness, and spectacle. Use this kit for club nights, classrooms, or podcast segments that want more substance than headlines.
Debate Workspace
Pick a preset or build your own. Everything saves in your browser.
Presets
Scenario Card
Sport: Sprinting (100m)
Stakes: World record attempts under enhanced conditions
Key tension: Spectacle vs. athlete safety
Moderator Script
Opening remarks
"Welcome. Tonight we are discussing whether the Enhanced Games should be allowed as a separate category. We will hear arguments for athlete autonomy and scientific freedom, and arguments about safety, fairness, and the spirit of sport. Each side will have equal time."
Mid-debate check
"Let us pause. Can each side summarize the other side's strongest point? This helps us make sure we are engaging with real arguments, not strawmen."
Closing prompt
"Audience, you have heard both sides. Use your scorecards to rate which argument was most convincing and why."
Argument Cards
For
0 points
Against
0 points
Logical Fallacies to Watch
Strawman
Misrepresenting the other side's argument to make it easier to attack.
Appeal to Fear
Using scary outcomes as the only evidence without data.
False Dilemma
Presenting only two options when more exist.
Slippery Slope
Claiming one step will inevitably lead to extreme outcomes.
Audience Scorecard
| Criteria | For | Against |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Quality | ||
| Logical Consistency | ||
| Safety Consideration | ||
| Fairness & Access | ||
| Spectacle & Interest | ||
| Total | 15 | 15 |
Both sides are tied.
Move the sliders to reflect the audience's view.
Debate Formats
Three ready-made structures you can run tonight.
Fishbowl
Inner circle debates, outer circle listens and rotates in. Good for large groups and workshops.
Classroom Roundtable
Short prompts, small groups, then a full-class share. Designed for 45-minute lessons.
How to Run a Good Debate
Most conversations about doping and the Enhanced Games get stuck in two corners. One side says it is all cheating. The other side says it is all freedom. The truth has more layers, and a good debate helps people see them.
Start by setting ground rules. Everyone gets to finish their point. No one has to agree at the end. The goal is to understand the arguments, not to crush the other side. Use the moderator script excerpts above to keep things on track.
Pick a scenario card that fits your group. Sprinting and weightlifting raise different questions than team sports. If your audience is new to the topic, use the classroom preset with shorter prompts. For experienced groups, the standard Oxford format pushes deeper.
Watch for common mistakes. People often attack a weaker version of the other side's argument instead of the real one. That is called a strawman, and it makes the debate less useful. Another mistake is pretending there are only two options. In reality, there are many middle paths (separate leagues, stricter monitoring, age limits, or outright bans).
Use the scorecard to capture what the audience actually thinks. Sliders are better than a simple raised hand because they show strength of feeling. After the debate, compare the before and after numbers. Did anyone change their mind? Did the evidence shift the room?
Export or print your work when you are done. Teachers can save a kit for each class. Podcast hosts can share the argument list in show notes. Club organizers can build on last time's scorecard instead of starting from zero.