Win a MacBook Air, iPhone, iPod touch and iPod

Debatewise is a new site with big ambitions; our aim is to be the Wikipedia for debate. Wikipedia succeeds because it harnesses the power of collective intelligence; people know if they contribute a little everyone benefits a lot. The problem with sites like this is how to get them going? How do you create the momentum necessary to make contributing worthwhile?

Which is where you come in.

Our goal is to seed Debatewise with 500 debates and we would love it if you'd create one. It doesn't need to be a long debate, and it can be on any subject under the sun; something you care about perhaps, something you know about, something you wish other people knew about, or something else entirely.

To reward you for your effort we've got some fantastic prizes to give away, prizes like a gorgeous MacBook Air, an iPhone, an iPod or an iPod touch.

We are looking for 500 debates in total. If more meet our eligibility criteria by the closing date of 8th June we'll come up with more prizes. In fact, for every additional 300 debates we accept we'll provide another MacBook Air (up to a maximum of five).

We're doing this because we believe our site is greatly needed. We believe people have had enough of one-sided reporting and want a place where they can compare the pros and cons of an argument. The best way to get the best pros and cons is by encouraging contributions from as many different thinkers as possible. And to get us going we want to encourage your contribution now.

Will you help?

How you enter

Entering is simple. Once you've thought of the topic and given it a title, the next stage is to write a short introductory paragraph of a sentence or two and then come up with three points for and three points against the argument You'll also need a counter-argument for each point.

When you've got those click Start a New Debate, above, and follow the instructions.

In summary, you'll need:

• A debate title
• An introductory paragraph
• Three points for the debate
• Three points against the debate
• A counter-argument for each for and against point

There are some other terms and conditions and you can find those to your right.

How you win

Ultimately, the wining debates will be those which best meet our overall objective here at Debatewise; namely to give people the information they need to make up their mind. So your debate should be eloquent, passionate and persuasive. It should include points for and against the proposition and it should ensure both sides are represented.

The other important thing we're looking for is participation. The more people edit your debate or add to it the better. Also important is the number of votes your debate gets and the number of people who visit your page.

In summary, the debates will be judged on the following criteria:

• The strength of debate (quality of for and against arguments, persuasiveness and succinctness)
• Contributions to the debate (how many additions, edits, strengthens have been made)
• Number of votes on the debate (regardless of which side voted for)
• Number of visits to the debate
• Contributions you've made to other people's debates

What you win

First Prize: The glorious MacBook Air.
The thinnest and sexiest laptop on the market. Win this and you'll be the envy of all your friends and vastly more attractive to other people too.

The model you could win is the 13″ 1.6GHz with Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Second Prize: 16Gb iPhone
This is quite simply the best phone out there, ask anyone who's got one. If you don't want to use it on 02 the unlocking process is very straightforward these days.

Third Prize: iPod 160Gb
The creator of the third best debate will win an iPod, the one with 160Gb of storage, a 2.5″ colour screen and which weighs a tiny 162 grams.

Special Prize: iPod Touch
As a debate creator you will earn points if you tidy up, add to or vote on other people's debates. However, the person who helps the most will also win a gorgeous 16Gb iPod touch.

News

• By popular demand we've extended the competition close date to the 8th June. Hopefully this will make it easy for those of
• New debate judges include the World Debating Champion of 2008 and the Chair of the English National Universities Debate Council
• More info in our newsletter. Start a debate and you'll get the next edition

Tips

• Don't worry about getting both sides of the debate going right-away and don't wait for the debate to be perfect before submitting it either. You can add points and improve your arguments later; whenever you wish in fact.
• Do start your debate early. The more contributions to it, votes on it or visits to it the more chance you've got of winning.
• Participation is key, encourage your friends to join in by telling them what you're doing on Facebook or MySpace or Bebo or just when you're with them down the pub.
• To find other people who might disagree with your proposition go to technorati.com and search for bloggers talking about your subject. When you've found them, ask them to put their point of view on your debate.
• Are there any pressure groups which argue for or against your position? Tell them about your debate and invite their participation.
• Enter as many times as you wish the more debates you create the more chance you've got of winning.
• Contribute to other people's debates you'll get points for that too and could win an iPod Touch if you're the most helpful contributor.
• Find a topic no-one else is covering. If two debates cover the same topic the amount of participation in them is bound to be split.
• Make sure you enter your email address correctly when registering. Imagine if you win and we can't contact you!

Terms and Conditions

• Enter as many times as you like.
• All entries must be unique and legal. Any plagiarism or copyright issues will result in disqualification, as will any libellous remarks.
• Each entry must confirm to the criteria listed above in order to be eligible for the prize.
• We accept entries from any country in the world but entries must be in English.
• All debates created after 23rd March 2008 and before 14th May 2008 will be automatically entered into the competition. If you don't want your debate entered please email us at stating the name of your debate and the email address you used when registering.
• All entries to the competition will automatically appear on the site. If you would like your entry removed please email us at stating the name of your debate and the email address you used when registering.
• Winners will be announced on this page and by email, on or before the 1st June 2008. The judges' decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• By entering the competition the you agree to participate in such promotional activity and material as we may require. Don't worry, we're not going to get you to dress up in a chicken suit. Well probably not anyway.
• The panel of judges for each competition will be comprised of the directors of Debatewise and leading members of UK debating societies, such as Jonathan Leader Maynard from Kings College. The names of whom will be announced here soon.
• No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
• This competition is organised by Debatewise Ltd, 77 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4QS.
• We will endeavour to get the prizes to you within a month of the competition end date.
• We may have to change the rules from time to time, any such changes will be announced on this page as and when they take place.