British Parliamentary Style Debating - OVERVIEW (1)

8/12/2019 British Parliamentary Style Debating - OVERVIEW (1)

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BRITISH

PARLIAMENTARY

STYLE DEBATING


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RULES OVERVIEW

Speaking times

Points of information

Motions, definitions & extensions

Matter the content of a speech

Manner the structure and style of a speech

The roles of different teams in the debate

Adjudication, Marking scheme, Oral Adjudications


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Speaker Times

MINUTE SPEECHES 0-1min Protected from POIs

1min One Knock/bell

1-6min Open to POIs 6min One Knock/bell

6-7min Protected from POIs

7min Two Knocks/bell

Generally the Chair Judge will ask one ofthe panellists to keep the time.


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POINTS OF

INFORMATION(POIS)


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Points of Information

first and last minutes of speech areprotected

time signal to indicate these points

member offering POI should stand

speaker may accept or decline


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POIs should not exceed 15 seconds

The speaker may ask the offering member to sit

where the offeror has had a reasonable chance

to be understood. Members should attempt to answer at least 2

POIs in their speech. General rule is 0 is

unacceptable ,1 is just about too few, 2 is ideal,

3 is just about too many, 4+ and you areanswering questions more than giving a speech.

There are no points of order or points of

personal privilege



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POIs may take any form the offeror wishes questions, clarification, facts, challenges, rebuttal, even jokes

POIs should be assessed as matter

In very rare events a speaker will notbe offered any points and this should benoted by the judges so as not to

penalise the speaker. You cant taketwo points if you arent offered any.This will count against the other side

rather than the speaker.



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Assessing Points of Information

Effectiveness and persuasiveness of the point

Member offering point of information How did it benefit their overall case

Speaker answering point of information How did they deal with it

Participation in debate as a whole Is the point relevant to the debate. Did a speaker offer points throughout the

debate.


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MOTIONSAND

DEFINITIONS


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Motions

Open Motions

e.g. This House believes the glass is half full

Semi-closed Motions

e.g. This House would alter its genetic code

Closed Motions

e.g. This House would bomb Iran


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Definitions

The definition should state theissue(s) for debate arising from themotion, stating the meaning of anyterms in the motion which requireinterpretation.

PM should provide the definition atthe beginning of his/her speech.


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Definitions

The definition must:

(a) have a clear and logical link to the motion

(b) not be self-proving/truistic

(c) not be time-set

(d) not be place-set unfairly


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(a) clear and logical link

average reasonable person wouldaccept the link between motion anddefinition as explained by the speaker

semi-closed motions: treat the motion as anissue for debate

e.g. This House would alter its genetic code

closed motions: take stricter approache.g. This House would bomb Iran


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Squirrels will be shot on sight

Squirrels are deliberate

attempts to gain an

advantage by changingthe topic away from

the motion.

(a) clear and logical link


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(b) No self-proving definitions

x should / should not be done, andthere is no reasonable rebuttal

e.g. were going to argue that

murder should be illegal

x is already the case, and so there is noreasonable rebuttal

e.g. were going to argue that themurder rate in the US is higher thanin Scotland


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(b) No self-proving definitions

status quo cases are notnecessarily unreasonable

e.g. were going to argue that the US

should remain in Iraq

its a fair definition, because there

is a reasonable rebuttal


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(c) No time setting

NOT ACCEPTABLE: ...its 1936. Youreabout to be introduced to Adolf Hitler,

youve got a gun in your pocket, and

youre not particularly pleased to seehim. Were going to argue that youshould shoot him and save millions oflives...

all debates must take placein the present


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(d) No unfair place setting

The members should debate themotion in the INTERNATIONAL spirit ofthe motion and the tournament. Do

not define a motion in terms of localevents from your home country.

Have regard to the issue being

debated. The adjudication team haveselected motions that should bedebatable around the world.


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EXTENSIONS


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Extensions

Consider benches as coalitions.Both teams support theproposition but for different yetcomplimentary reasons and thesecond team/party must makethis difference clear in order toattract the publics (i.e. thejudges) attention and survive.


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Extensions

Extensions are one way for the 2nd

team to distinguish itself from the1st team.

Teams dont have to call it an

extension. The onus is on theJudge to pick up what (ifanything) they have done to

differentiate themselves.


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Extensions

Not OK to change the the definition

OK to expand minor arguments andmake them your own.

OK to narrow broad arguments and doa specific case study.

OK to present a new perspective.

Ok to broaden the debate intoTheoretical analysis.


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MATTER


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Matter

Matter is the content of a speech.

Matter includes arguments and

reasoning, examples, case studies,facts and any other material thatattempts to further the case.

Matter includes points of information.


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The Elements of Matter

Matter should be:

relevant to the debate

logical

consistent within their speech, withtheir partner, and also with the otherteam on their side of the debate


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The Elements of Matter

All members (except the last two in thedebate) should present positive matter.

The govt whip may choose to do so

The opp whip may not do so

All members (except the PrimeMinister) should present rebuttal


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Assessing Matter

Matter should be persuasive

Adopt the viewpoint of an average

reasonable person disregard anyspecialist knowledge you may have

Judge should not allow bias ordiscrimination to influence theirdecision


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MANNER


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Manner

Manner is the Presentation ofthe Speech

Style

Structure


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Style

Style includes any element whichaffects the overall effectiveness ofthe speakers presentation.

eye contact

voice modulation

hand gestures

clarity of language and expression

use of notes

etc.


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Structure

Structure of the speech should:

include an introduction, conclusion,

and a series of arguments

Use the allotted time properly

Allow for teamwork


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Assessing Manner

When evaluating manner youare in effect evaluating theoverall effectiveness of

presentation.

There are many styles which

are appropriate.


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ROLES IN A DEBATE


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Positions in the Debate

1. Prime Minister 2. Leader ofOpposition

3. Deputy Prime 4. Deputy Leader of

Minister Opposition

5. Member of Govt 6. Member of Opp.

7. Govt Whip 8. Opposition Whip


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Role of Teams in the Debate

1st govt: Definition

Justification Of Case

Rebuttal Of 1st Opp (Deputy Prime Minister)

Prime Minister: Define, Outline,

Present Argumentation.

Deputy PM: Defend, Rebutt, expandcase.


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1st opposition: Rebuttal

Alternative where appropriate

Leader Opp: Rebut, PresentAlternative Argumentation.

Deputy LO: Rebut, Defend,Expand alternative case



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2nd govtanything which makes them stand

out from the debate

job is simply to be better than 1st govt

how does a team do this? Extention.

Member Gov: Backup, Extend Governmentcase & Rebut

Gov Whip: Defend, Sum up & Rebut.Allowed new positive material



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2nd govt

introduce new material consistentwith 1st govt

e.g. new lines of argument

e.g. different focus to the case

e.g. widening / narrowing of debate

repetition of 1st govt isnt enough



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2nd opposition: rebuttal

Member Opposition: Rebut, backup &extend opposition case.

Opposition Whip: Rebut, Rebut, Rebut,Sum Up opposition case, NO newpositive material



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Shafting/Knifing

The extent to which the shaft will effect yourscore depends on the severity of the shaft.

Shafting the definition will almost

certainly impact on your rank

Contradicting major arguments will impacton the persuasiveness of your matter

The shaft does not have to be highlighted bythe opposing team to be assessed.


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Summary Speeches

Last two speakers

Summary of debate as a whole, withparticular emphasis on own team

responsive to dynamics of debate - spendmore time on the more important issues

no one correct way of doing this speaker by speaker

issue by issue

thematic


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British Parliamentary Style Debating - OVERVIEW (1)

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