Points of Information(POIs)) Training Session

Roadmap Types of POI’s and Purposes Phrasing Examples Extra tips

But first... POI’s are an underrated and under-used resource POI’s can bring you up, BUT they can also drag you down Things to consider Effects of offering Content Motive underpinning content Reaction to elicited response

Types of POI’s Points of Clarification(Special case) Bending the mech towards yourself Question To get to agree(for example on a value in the debate) Challenging facts Time waster(both for you/for them) Statement Challenging facts Furthering your own argument(keeping yourself relevant in the debate) All can be strategically used to win a debate! (or at least place you higher)

Phrasing Clear, concise POI’s are powerful(=not necessarily short, but on point) Judges get them Speaker cannot shove them off as ‘confusing’ Write it down, and read it to yourself in your mind Check it with your partner If factually contradicting somebody Don’t make it a question to which it is obvious to say ‘no, that’s exactly what I’ve been saying’ to. Make it a question that forces the opponent to engage with your case. Also take into account the amount of analysis that had gone into the point you are trying to disprove

Speaker: “The application of the death penalty is an effective deter- rent to capital crimes. Research for decades has consistently shown that states with capital punishment have lower murder rates.” POI 1: “On that point. That same research indicates that states that actually use the death penalty have growing rates of capital crimes and that states with an unused death penalty have decreasing murder rates. POI 2: “On that point. Isn’t it true that states that actually use the death penalty have growing rates of capital crimes and that states with an unused death penalty have decreasing murder rates? Phrasing

Example 1: ‘The Leading Question’ Worlds Final 2001 Motion:THW elect its judges POI: How often will you re-elect your judges? Response: ‘I don’t know why you’re nitpicking, but let’s make it 6 years’ Enitre line made available for Opposition CO won Correct response something like: ‘For life’ or ‘A fixed term, i.e. No re- election’

Example 2: ‘The Last Chance That was Missed’ Worlds Octo-Finals 2005 Motion:THBT it is time for an ASEAN Parliament POI: Are you really saying that Indonesia should have 65 times the voting power of Singapore? Response: ‘Absolutely’ Phrasing suggests incredulity in the PM’s proposal Response wrong because of pressure. Lots of mockery followed

Example 3: ‘Information and Ignorance’ Motion: TH Supports and extended European Union POI to PM: ‘Have you heard of the Shengen Convention?’ Response: ‘No, I haven’t’ Rebuttal that followed:’Let me tell you about Shengen, and what it means for your case’ Instead of an obvious POI, masked as a question of knowledge Speaker’s ignorance hurt their credibility Even an adequate response would have left room for rebuttal Take care with these- they need to be relevant, otherwise you’ll just make adjuticators angry

Extra tips! Important: Link the POI’s to the case/clash during your speech Think of some before the round(if you have any good ideas) Do not POI your extension(if Closing) As PM be careful on what might seem harmless POI’s Write them down- a lot more powerful if coeherent Keep them standing for a while(they are not writing) Be confident!!(both offering and taking)

(Extra)Rules for today 7-minute speeches 2 compulsory POI’s Try to apply the advice, but also concentrate on the debate