Prepared Motion

General Definition: A topic announced days or even weeks prior to a tournament where students are given time to prepare their cases, research, and strategies.

• Public Forum: Not a common phrase in PF, although all PF motions are announced in advance of a tournament and debated for a period of one or two months. See also “Resolution“.
• World Schools Debate: In WSD, a prepared motion is a motion typically given weeks in advance for a tournament. External research is allowed, though it should be limited. Prepared cases are written and planned in advance and are made for both sides of the topic.
• British Parliamentary: Not used in BP, where all motions are “Impromptu“.
• Canadian National Debate Format: see general definition.