FORMAT (RULES AND PROCEDURES) OMS INSIGHTS Parliamentary Debate

Introduction Parliamentary Debate is the most popular style of debating in the world We use the 6 person format 4 basic categories of rules include:  # of teams & debaters  Order of speeches  Time limits  Decision-making procedure

2 Teams Proposition—3 members  Makes the case  Opens the debate w/ 1 st speech  Has the burden of proof  Closes the debate w/ 6 th speech Opposition—3 members  Opposes the proposition (argues against proposition’s support)

Proposition Supports motion (argues for proposition, topic, resolution) Opens debate Interprets the topic Goal is to prove motion is more true than false Closes debate

Opposition Opposes proposition team Argues against prop’s support for motion Goal is to prevent prop from proving motion is more true than false

Order of Speeches 6 speeches 4 constructive constructs arguments for each side & responds to arguments from the other side establishes core arguments for each team’s side of the topic 2 rebuttal summarizes major arguments for each side and proposes reasons why each team should win debate

Speeches, cont. 1 st Proposition Constructive5 minutes* 1 st Opposition Constructive5 minutes* 2 nd Proposition Constructive5 minutes* 2 nd Opposition Constructive5 minutes* * POIs are allowed during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches Opposition Rebuttal3 minutes Proposition Rebuttal 3 minutes * No POIs are allowed during rebuttal speeches

Terminology & Times Hold the Floor  Debater who is currently speaking  The ability to speak without being “out of order” Out of Order  `speaking out of turn  Not waiting to be recognized  Attempting to make a POI during Protected Time Point of Information (POI)  A question or statement offered by a debater who does not currently “hold the floor”  Only made by the team not currently speaking  Must be recognized (called on) to speak before beginning  Allowed only during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches  Allowed 15 seconds only Protected Time  Time during which POIs may not be attempted  1 st and last minute of each constructive speech  Both rebuttal speeches Timekeeper  Official who keeps track of  preparation time  speakers’  POIs  protected time Notes time changes with an audible “knock” and/or with hand signals/cards

Prep Time & Notes Generally 15 minutes to prepare Notes are vital since  No published material (printouts from earlier research) is allowed during debate  Most “quoted” evidence is not allowed  Only prep time notes & notes written during debate may be used Debaters must accurately communicate facts based on their knowledge & prior research to the audience, judge, and other team

Speaker responsibilities Constructive speeches build arguments for prop and opp Rebuttal speeches are an opportunity to contrast main lines of argument of the prop & opp All speakers are responsible for  Effective presentation  Defense  Refutation

1 st proposition constructive (1 st prop) Makes a case for the proposition  offers 3-4 arguments w/ supporting evidence providing logical proof that the motion is more true than false  Uses enough reasons & examples to make concise, complete, & compelling arguments for each argument Interprets the topic  defines any unclear terms/clarifies foundation of argument May offer a brief history of topic  helpful b/c provides judge & audience with the same background info Offers a summary showing how these arguments prove the proposition

General refutation tactics (can be used by both sides) Provides clash  When 2 arguments directly oppose each other  Undermines prop’s logic  Argues topic doesn’t hold (can’t be proven) Uses direct and indirect refutation  Direct refutation  Refutes the main points of the case  Critically evaluates the 1 st prop’s agruments  Points out inconsistencies, gaps in logic, argument fallacies, improper causal chains, & exaggerated claims  Offers counters to prop’s examples  Indirect argumentation  Involves issues that are not formally included in the prop’s case Uses related topics, not specifically mentioned by prop  A combo of both is the most effective Strategic agreement  Opposition does not have to disagree with everything Prop says  Strategic agreement is when the opp agrees with the prop  Helps opp remove arguments that would be hard to win  Helps opp focus on critical points they need

1 st opposition constructive (1 st opp) Accounts for all major prop arguments  Uses a formal, professional manner  1 st impression communicates to judge that the opp team has a strong strategy  Identifies points of agreement  Relocates core issues  Directly/indirectly disputes prop’s claims Identifies and addresses 2-3 major lines of argument against prop  Ex. (using direct ref.) the 1 st opp attacks 2 core prop issues & (using indir. ref.) introduces a new argument not mentioned in the prop’s opening speech

2 nd proposition constructive (2 nd prop) Last opportunity to introduce new arguments Immediately precedes opposition block  Must convincingly prove prop’s case Reestablishes principles of the prop’s case  Briefly summarizes 1 st prop’s arguments, specifically & in order  Amplifies opening presentation  Supplements 1 st prop’s reasoning  Provides additional examples Answers all opp’s major objections/arguments  Uses refutation of opp arguments to further expand prop case Summarizes debate & explains why prop should win

Opposition block 2 nd opposition constructive speech Opposition rebuttal speech Back to back opposition speeches allow for 8 consecutive minutes to advance the opposition’s arguments This can be a serious assault on the proposition— especially if the 2 nd prop or the prop rebuttal speakers do not convincingly prove their case.

2 nd constructive opposition (2 nd opp) Final constructive speech for opp  May continue 1 st opp’s objections  Expands arguments  Presents new arguments--last chance—but do this carefully—  opp will not get a chance to refute any attacks on these by prop rebuttal  Too many new arguments (or too much expansion) can lessen effectiveness  Evaluates inconsistencies between 1 st & 2 nd props Summarizes issues effectively Explains impact of each argument carefully  Impact—the way an argument plays a decisive role in the outcome of a debate (refutation’s “therefore” step)

Opposition rebuttal Opp summary speech  No new arguments  Contrasts main lines of arguments  Chooses 2-4 most critical issues which might tip debate towards opp & focuses attention on them Explains why opp should win

Proposition rebuttal Final speech Summarizes entire debate Extends constructive prop arguments Answers major opp arguments  May also answer any new arguments made by 2 nd opp (since this is the 1 st chance prop has to refute them) Offers multiple independent proofs of topic to increase probability of victory Explains why prop should win

Debate Order, again 1 st Proposition Constructive5 minutes* 1 st Opposition Constructive5 minutes* 2 nd Proposition Constructive5 minutes* 2 nd Opposition Constructive5 minutes* * POIs are allowed during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches Opposition Rebuttal3 minutes Proposition Rebuttal 3 minutes * No POIs are allowed during rebuttal speeches Following Prop Rebuttal JUDGE’S DECISION SHAKE HANDS WITH YOUR OPPONENTS ENJOY YOUR BREAK!