British Parliamentary Debate Presentation

Presentation on different Debate Conventions.

1. British PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE BY: THEA MICHELLE

2. BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE British Parliamentary style debate is a major form of academic debate that originated in Liverpool in the mid 1800s . It has gained wide support across countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and North and South America. It is the official style of the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC); of regional and national major tournaments such as the Pan African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC), All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship (ANUDC), Zimbabwe Debate Championship (ZiDC), Asian British Parliamentary (ABP) debating championship, Lagos Debate Open (LDO) and European Universities Debating Championship ( EUDC); as well as of non-English language tournaments such as the World Universities Debating Championship in Spanish and World Debating Championship in Portuguese Language .

3. BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE The British Parliamentary debate format differs from many other formats because it involves four teams rather than two. Two teams, called the “First Proposition” and the “Second Proposition” teams, are charged with the responsibility of supporting the proposition while two other teams, “First Opposition” and “Second Opposition,” are charged with opposing it. Two speakers represent each of the four teams and each speaker gives a speech of seven minutes.

4. The following chart describes the basic format and time limits. As you will see from the chart, each speaker is given a unique title.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES for each speaker: The PM has three basic responsibilities: DEFINE the motion for debate. In order to properly define and interpret the proposition, the Prime Minster should do the following: SET the parameter. CONSTRUCT a case for the proposition, consisting one or more arguments supporting the PM’s interpretation of the motion. OPENING GOVERNMENT: PRIME MINISTER

6. RESPONSIBILITIES for each speaker: The LO has three primary responsibilities: ACCEPT the definition and interpretation of the proposition. REFUTE part or all of the PM’s case. PROVIDE one or more arguments in opposition to the PM’s interpretation of the motion. OPENING OPPOSITION: LEADER OF OPPOSITION

7. Responsibilities for each speaker: The DPM has four primary responsibilities: DEFEND the case presented by PM. REFUTE any independent arguments presented by LO. ADVANCE one or two arguments to the case presented by PM. OPENING GOVERNMENT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

8. Responsibilities for each speaker: The DLO has three primary responsibilities: DEFEND the refutation offered by the LO. DEFEND the arguments offered by the LO. ADVANCE one or more new arguments to those being offered by the First Proposition team. OPENING OPPOSITION: DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

9. Responsibilities for each speaker: The MG has three primary responsibilities: DEFEND or CHALLENGE the general perspective of the Opening Government. CONTINUE REFUTING arguments made by the Opening Opposition. ADVANCE one or more new arguments that are different from but consistent with the case offered by the Opening Government. CLOSING GOVERNMENT: MEMBER OF GOVERNMENT

10. Responsibilities for each speaker: The MO has four primary responsibilities: DEFEND the general direction taken by the Opening Opposition. CONTINUE REFUTING of the case as presented by the g overnment bench. PROVIDE more specific refutation of the arguments introduced by the MG. ADVANCE one or more new arguments that are consistent with, yet different from, those presented by the Opening Opposition. CLOSING OPPOSITION: MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITION

11. Responsibilities for each speaker: The GW has four basic responsibilities: REFUTE the extension offered by the Member of Opposition. DEFEND the extension offered by the Member of Government. POINT OUT fallacies if necessary, of some speakers from the other side of the bench. SUMMARIZE the debate from the perspective of the government bench. CLOSING GOVERNMENT: GOVERNMENT WHIP

12. Responsibilities for each speaker: The OW has four basic responsibilities: REFUTE the extension offered by the Member of Government. DEFEND the extension offered by the Member of Opposition. POINT OUT fallacies if not mentioned, of some speakers from the other side of the bench. S UMMARIZE the debate from the perspective of the opposition bench. CLOSING OPPOSITION: OPPOSITION WHIP

13. POINT OF INFORMATION POIs provide opportunities for members of each team to interact with members of the teams defending the opposite side of the motion.

14. GENERAL RULES FOR POI: To request a point of information, a debater rises and politely says something like “point of information please,” or “on that point.” The debater giving the speech has the authority to accept or to refuse the request for a point of information . In general, debaters should accept a minimum of two points during their speech so that the judges and the audience will know they are able to answer points quickly and directly .

15. GENERAL RULES FOR POI: If the request for a point of information is accepted, the person who has requested the point has a maximum of fifteen seconds to make the point . After accepting a point of information, the speaker should answer the question directly . The person offering the point of information is not allowed to follow-up with additional questions. Organizers try to avoid scheduling teams from the same school against each other, although it sometimes can occur.

16. GENERAL RULES TO FOLLOW DURING ROUNDS: There are no Points of Order, or Points of Personal Privilege. Once the topic is given out, teams must prepare for impromptu debates on their own without help from pre-prepared notes, electronic devices, debaters on other teams, coaches, adults, etc . Coaches should not judge their own students, unless the organizer has specifically approved, something that will only happen when there is no other option . If coaches are just watching rather than judging a debate, they should not make comments during or after the debate, although they may make comments to their own students privately after the debate.

17. TERMS AND ACRONYMS TO FAMILIARIZE: 1. THBT 2. POI 3. Knifing 4. Break 5. Break Room 6. Chair Judge 7. CA 8. Power Pair 9. Swing 10. Squirrel 11. Wing 12. Tab 13. Open Motion 14. Open Round 15. Outround 16. Convenor 17. Crash 18. Composite 19. Pull up 20. Roll

18. Thank you! The floor is now open to entertain questions, clarifications, and strategical suggestions.