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Ateneo Debate Education Program

This document provides an overview of the basics of a British parliamentary debate. It discusses the structure of debates with 4 teams of 2 speakers each, the types of motions debated, and the roles and order of the different speakers. It also outlines the key components of a debate, including matter (arguments, rebuttals, and points of information), manner (presentation style), and method (speech organization and team coordination).

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Kristian Caumeran
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157 views

Ateneo Debate Education Program

This document provides an overview of the basics of a British parliamentary debate. It discusses the structure of debates with 4 teams of 2 speakers each, the types of motions debated, and the roles and order of the different speakers. It also outlines the key components of a debate, including matter (arguments, rebuttals, and points of information), manner (presentation style), and method (speech organization and team coordination).

Uploaded by

Kristian Caumeran
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ateneo Debate

Education Program

Basic Debate Seminar


Why debate?
Part One:
MECHANICS

What a British
Parliamentary Debate
Looks Like
The Basics
 There are 4 teams per round,  A point of
with 2 teams per side information lasts
(Government and Opposition) for a maximum of
 Each team is composed of 2 15 seconds
speakers  Motions are given
 Each speech lasts for about 7 15 minutes prior
minutes, with the first and last to the debate
minute uninterrupted
 In the remaining 5 minutes,
members from the opposing
teams can raise POINTS OF
INFORMATION
Structure

Opening Gov’t Opening Opp’n


Prime Minister Leader of Opp’n

Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of Opp’n

Closing Gov’t Closing Opp’n


Member of Gov’t Member of Opp’n

Gov’t Whip Opp’n Whip


Part Two:
RULES

The Technical Stuff


Motion
• it is the proposition • Motions must
which the Government be defined by
side is supposed to the Prime
defend Minister
– More on this
later under
• there are three types of Speaker Roles
motions:
– Open motions
– Semi-closed motions
– Closed motions
Definitions
Each definition MUST: Unfair
– Have a direct link to the
definitions:
motion
Bad or illegal definitions
– Be fair and debatable are usually challenged
– Identify the issues to be (more on this later)
debated and the scope of
the debate (criteria or – Truisims
standard) – “Squirrels”
– Include parameters when – Time/Place
necessary Sets
– Tautologies
Points of
Information
• Must be no more than 15
seconds long

• It is the discretion of the


person speaking whether to
recognize the point or not

• Each speaker must accept


at least two points of
information per speech
Team and
Speaker Roles

An Overview
Opening
Government
provide a clear and reasonable definition
establish the issues and scope of the debate
advance a substantive case

the Prime Minister the Deputy Prime


must: Minister must:
• introduce the • rebut the points of
definition and provide the LO
a link to the motion • Support the
• introduce the case of arguments of the
the OG PM
• introduce substantive • Introduce
material to support substantive
his/her side of the material to support
split his/her side of the
split
Opening
Opposition
Examine the definition of OG
Challenge or accept the definition
Rebut the arguments of OG
Advance a substantive case
the Leader of the Deputy Leader
Opposition must: of Opposition must:
• Accept or reject the • rebut the points of
definition and provide a the DPM
link to the motion • Support the
• Rebut the points of the arguments of the
PM LO
• introduce the case of the • Introduce
OO substantive
• introduce substantive material to support
material to support his/her side of the
his/her side of the split split
Closing
Government
Rebut the arguments brought up by the
Opening Opposition
the Government
Support the stand of the Opening Government Whip must:
Advance a substantive case • rebut the points of
Summarize the debate for the Government the MO
the Member of Government • Summarize the
must: debate
• Rebut the points of the DLO • Reiterate and
• EXTENSION: Develop a support the points of
new case line (which must the entire gov’t side
still be consistent with the • Introduce fresh
original points of the OG) examples to
• introduce substantive support/rebut
material to support the CG’s previously
new line mentioned
arguments
Closing
Opposition
Rebut the arguments brought up by the
Closing Government
the Opposition Whip
Support the stand of the Opening Opposition must:
Advance a substantive case • rebut the points of
Summarize the debate for the Opposition the GW
the Member of Opposition • Summarize the
must: debate
• Rebut the points of the MG • Reiterate and
support the points of
• EXTENSION: Develop a the entire opposition
new case line (which must side
still be consistent with the • Introduce fresh
original points of the OO)
examples to
• introduce substantive support/rebut
material to support the CO’s previously mentioned
new line arguments
Rules for
Challenging
• If a definition provided by the
Prime Minister is judged to be a
truism, squirrel, time/place set,
or a tautology, a definitional
challenge may be made
• ONLY the Leader of Opposition
may initiate and issue a
definitional challenge
• If the LO doesn’t challenge, NO
ONE else in the debate may do
so
• Both closing teams have the
OPTION of choosing which
definition to support (OG’s or
OO’s)
Part Three:
Matter, Manner,
Method
It’s the meat in your
sandwich, the heart
of the matter
Matter

Arguments
Rebuttal
POI’s
Matter: Definition
Soon to follow:
• The content of the speech. It • What is an
is the arguments a debater argument?
uses to further his or her case
and persuade the audience
• Rebuttal
• Includes arguments,
reasoning, and examples
• Includes positive (substantive • Points of
material) and rebuttal Information
• Includes points of information
• Matterloading
What is an
argument?
Arguments must
be backed by:
• Analysis: go beyond
• the reason why you support the label and ask the
or oppose a motion most important
question: WHY?
• argument versus premise
(“nature” of something) • Examples: use
relevant ones and
(factual detail) DON’T argue by
example
(…because it worked
in a certain setting…)
Rebuttal
• All speakers, except the Prime
Minister, are expected to
present rebuttal

How much
• Types of rebuttal: (EXAMPLES
rebuttal is too
FOR THIS!)
–
much rebuttal?
Error of fact
– Irrelevancy
– Illogical Argument
– Unacceptable Implications
– Little Weight
– Contradictions and Inconsistencies
POIs!
• Keep it short: You just
have fifteen seconds!
How often should
I raise points of
• Types of POIs: information?
– Clarification
– Question
– Direct rebuttal How many points
– Introducing your argument
of information
–
should I ask?
Bringing back your
argument
Matterloading
How much am I
supposed to know?

• Knowing is half the battle

• Read, read, read

• Ask the right questions


Manner

It matters
how you say it…
Manner: Definition
• The presentation of the • Some things to
speech. It is the style a keep in mind:
member uses to further – Eye contact
his or her case and – Voice
persuade the audience modulation
• Comprised of many – Hand gestures
separate elements. – Clear and
simple
• There is no correct style language
of debating – Efficient notes
• Confidence
• No rudeness, please
• Look like you’re
winning
• Kill the verbal crutch
Method

Individual Method
And Team Method
Method: Definition
• Can be divided into
individual method and
team method
• Individual method refers
to the organization of
your speech
• Team method refers to
the flow and consistency
of the arguments of the
two speakers in a team
Two Kinds of
Method
• Individual method:
– Structure your speech Other things to
– Sign-posting remember:
– Time management
• Team method: LISTEN
– Allocate your arguments
properly
– If you are the first speaker, MAINTAIN
give a team split PROPER
– If you are the second CONDUCT
speaker, refer to your
partner regularly
Part FOUR:
Other Debate
Formats
Asians
Australasians
Asians
• Structure
– 2 teams:
• Affirmative
• Negative
• The Reply
– 3 members in each team: Speech
• The first two speakers of
each team fulfill the same
roles as the first two • Even-if
speakers in BP (PM, DPM,
LO and DLO)
• The third speakers acts as
the Whips of the debate
Australasian

Same as Asians
No Points of Information

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