Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate China Debate Education Network:

 Presented by Liu Xin （ＳＣＵＥＣ ) Xu Min （ＨＢＵＥ） Derek Buescher （ Puget Sound ）

Focus for this Presentation  Part I: Introduction  Part II: What is the British Parliamentary debate Format

Introduction  Why we debate in general  Why we debate in educational settings in particular

Why We Debate in General?  People in the debate communities learn skills --- to improve everyday lives --- to become good citizens --- to adapt skills of debate to other venues

Why We Debate in Educational Settings in Particular -- to expand knowledge -- to hone public speaking skills -- to learn to engage critical thinking --to gain skills for a dynamic citizenry -- to argue as ethical communicators

British Parliamentary Debate Format  I. Teams and Motions  II. Order of Speeches & Speaker Titles  III. Timing & POI  IV. Speaker Roles & Responsibilities  V. How your debate will be evaluated

Motions  -- Motions: For & Against A motion is a statement provided by the Tournament Director that will become the subject of the debate. A motion is sometimes called a debate topic, a resolution, or a proposition.  -- Examples

Examples of Motions

Procedure for Each Debate  Positions of teams are posted on the “draw.”  Motions announcement to all teams  minutes preparation  Teams of the same side do not prepare with one another, nor can they consult their teammates or teachers  Debate begins

Four Teams  Teams Members: 4 Teams Debaters Upper House --- Lower House  Government:  Supporting Motion 2 upper Government Speakers 2 lower Government Speakers  Opposition:  Arguing against Motion 2 upper opposition Speakers 2 lower opposition Speakers  Upper House Government Opposition For Motion Against  Lower House

Names of Speakers Upper House (Opening)  Prime Minister  Leader of the Opposition  Deputy Prime Minister  Deputy Leader of the Opposition Lower House (Closing)  Member of Government  Member of Opposition  Government Whip  Opposition Whip  Upper House (Opening)  PM LO  DPM DLO  MG MO  GW OW Lower House (Closing)

Order of Speakers Upper House (Opening)  Prime Minister, 1 st Government Team  Leader of the Opposition, 1 st Opposition Team  Deputy Prime Minister, 1 st Government Team  Deputy Leader of the Opposition, 1 st Opposition Team Lower House (Closing)  Member of Government, 2 nd Government Team  Member of Opposition, 2 nd Opposition Team  Government Whip, 2 nd Government Team  Opposition Whip, 2 nd Opposition Team  Upper House (Opening)  PM LO  DPM DLO  MG MO  GW OW Lower House (Closing)

Points of Information  POI --- Point of Information Who --- a member of an opposing team; What --- comments, statement, question…; How to offer --- by rising and extending hand or by saying “on that point, Sir/Madam”  NO POI --- protected time (the first and the last minute);  Time seconds or less

Timing  7 minutes for each speech  Protected Time: First and last minute  A single knock on table or sounding of a bell announces protected time  double knock or bell signals the end of your speech.  Your speeches will be timed by a timekeeper or by the judge

Speaker Roles and Responsibilities

1 st Speaker -- Prime Minister --- Defines and interprets the motion --- Develops a case for the proposition in support of the motion Upper House

2 nd Speaker: Leader of Opposition  -- Accepts the definition of the motioin  -- Refutes the case of the first Government  -- Construct one or more arguments against the Prime Minister's interpretation of the motion Upper House

3 rd Speaker -- Deputy Prime Minister  -- Defends the general thesis of the first Government’s case  -- Refutes the case of the first opposition  -- Rebuilds the case of the first Government  -- May add new arguments to the case of the first Government Upper House

4 th Speaker – Deputy Leader of Opposition  -- Continues refutation of case of 1 st Government  -- Rebuilds arguments of the 1 st opposition.  -- May add new arguments to the case of the 1 st opposition. Upper House

5 th Speaker – Member of Government  --Defends the general direction and case of the 1st Government  -- Continues refutation of 1st opposition  -- Develops a new argument that is different from but consitent with the case of the 1st Government (frequently called an extension) Lower House

6 th Speaker – Member of Opposition  -- Defends the general direction taken by the 1st opposition  -- Continues general refutation of 1st proposition case  -- Provides more specific refutation of 2nd proposition  -- Provides new opposition extension. Lower House

7 th Speaker – Government Whip  --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the proposition  --- Defends the general view point of both proposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 2 nd proposition.  --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

8 th Speaker – Opposition Whip  --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the opposition  --- Defends the general view point of both opposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 2nd opposition.  --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

How You Will Be Evaluated and Adjudicated  In general, you will be evaluated on the strength of your arguments.  Although your speaking ability influences how adjudicators respond to your arguments, they still will focus on the  Usually a panel of adjudicators although sometimes a single one  An odd number of panel, usually 3 members  One Chairperson/Speaker (designated by the organizers) --- This person will introduce and manage the debate --- This person also announce the result & comment on the whole debate

Summary  Part I: Introduction  Part II: What is the British Parliamentary debate Format