Question 1

How does MinuteDebate work?

Accepted Answer

MinuteDebate pairs you with an anonymous opponent for a one-minute structured debate. You're given a random topic and assigned a stance (for or against). The match follows Oxford cadence format: 15-second openings, four alternating 10-second bursts, and 10-second summations. An AI judge evaluates your performance across five axes and provides detailed feedback.

Question 2

What is cadence-gated typing?

Accepted Answer

Cadence-gated typing pauses your clock only while you're actively typing at a steady cadence (≥1 character every ~350ms). If you stop typing for more than 600-800ms, your time resumes. You get a hard 4-second pause reserve—once exhausted, thinking burns time no matter what. This mechanic rewards continuous argumentation over slow, deliberate typing.

Question 3

How does the AI judge evaluate debates?

Accepted Answer

The AI judge evaluates each debate across five axes: logic (soundness of reasoning), evidence (quality of support), relevance (addressing topic and opponent), rhetorical clarity (precision and structure), and civility (respectful engagement). The judge identifies specific moves like burden shifts, reductio ad absurdum, and equivocation fixes, providing detailed explanations of what worked and why.

Question 4

What are topic packs?

Accepted Answer

Topic packs are daily rotating collections of debate topics organized by theme: Tech, Ethics, Absurdism, and Sports Trash Talk. Each pack has curated topics and rewards specific move goals. For example, the Tech pack emphasizes reductio and burden shifts, while Ethics focuses on distinctions and equivocation fixes.

Question 5

How do achievements work?

Accepted Answer

Achievements unlock when you execute distinctive argumentation moves during matches. Examples include 'Win via Reductio' (winning by showing opponent's position leads to absurdity), 'Clean Burden Transfer' (shifting proof obligation to opponent), and 'Spot & Fix Equivocation' (identifying and correcting ambiguous terms). Achievements track your mastery across different packs.

Question 6

Is MinuteDebate free to play?

Accepted Answer

Yes, MinuteDebate is completely free to play. No registration required—just join the queue and start debating. All features including AI judging, achievements, and leaderboards are available at no cost.

One minute. One topic. One winner.

Put your debating skills to the test — Play now!