Most debates impose time limits on answers to ensure that all candidates have equal opportunity to respond. Topics may focus on a wide range of issues or may be on a particular theme such as education or the economy. General election presidential debates usually divide the time between foreign and domestic topics. Candidates may have an opening statement, or a moderator may introduce each candidate and begin questioning immediately. In most debates candidates have closing statements.
Questions guide the content of debates.
Initial questions get the debate started by asking candidates to explain or defend a position or compare it to an opponent's. Follow-up questions are directed at a candidate after an answer is given. Their purpose is to probe the original response by asking for elaboration or clarification. Some follow-up questions are on an unrelated topic. Follow-up questions may be asked immediately after an initial response is given or after all candidates have answered the initial question.