Beetdigger Brawl

2026 — Sandy, UT/US

Big Questions

Abbreviation BQ
Format Debate
Entry Fee $4.00
Overall Entry Limit 25
Entry Teams of between 1 and 2 competitors

Event Description:

Speech Duration

Affirmative Constructive 5 minutes
Negative Constructive 5 minutes
Question Segment 3 minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes
Negative Rebuttal 4 minutes
Question Segment 3 minutes
Affirmative Consolidation 3 minutes
Negative Consolidation 3 minutes
Affirmative Rationale 3 minutes
Negative Rationale 3 minutes
Prep time (per side) 3 minutes

Big Questions Debate


In this debate, students discuss big ideas about life, religion, science, morality, and philosophy (ideas about the world).

  • One side argues for the resolution (statement).

  • The other side argues against it.

Debates can be individual (1 vs 1) or sometimes with partners (2 vs 2), depending on the tournament.
The debate has speeches and question times, where students explain their ideas and ask the other side questions.

The goal is to think carefully, explain clearly, and listen to others — it’s not just about facts, but about reasoning and ideas.