Introduction to University Debate Dylan Williams – Fall 2015 University of Alberta Debate Society 1

Introduction  Topics to cover  1. Basics of Debate  2. British Parliamentary Style  Speakers and Roles  Examples of a debate round  Points of Information  Judging  3. Learning and Improving in Debate 2

What is Debate?  A respectful exchange of ideas between reasonable people  Sometimes outside your comfort zone  Part content, part style 3

Basic Rules of Debate  Respect others, and yourself. Listen and be polite  Think and argue in terms of principles and analysis 4

Debate Styles  British Parliamentary (Fall)  Canadian Parliamentary (Winter)  Australs (Summer) 5

British Parliamentary Style – At a Glance  Common, balanced, competitive style  Topics that reasonable people can disagree about, and are accessible  “This House Would do x,” “This House Believes x” “This House Supports” Teams Announced -> Motion Announced -> 15 Minutes Preparation -> Debate! 6

British Parliamentary Style – Speakers Prime Minister 5 Minute Speech Leader of the Opposition 5 Minute Speech Deputy Prime Minister 5 Minute Speech Deputy Leader of the Opposition 5 Minute Speech Member of Government 5 Minute Speech Member of Opposition 5 Minute Speech Government Whip 5 Minute Speech Opposition Whip 5 Minute Speech Opening Government Closing Government Opening Opposition Closing Opposition 7

Speakers The Prime Minister  Model and groundwork for the round  Constructive Arguments 8

Speakers Leader of the Opposition  Clash with PM  Opposition Stance  Constructive Arguments 9

Speakers Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition  Clash with last speaker  Rebuild Constructive Arguments 10

Speakers Member of Government  Clash with Opening Opposition  Extend on the debate with new argument 11

Speakers Member of Opposition  Clash with MG’s extension  Extend on the debate with new argument 12

Speakers Government Whip and Opposition Whip  Clash with other side’s extension  Biased summary of the round – No new material!  Emphasize back half material 13

British Parliamentary Style – Example This House Would Intervene Against ISIS Opening GovernmentOpening Opposition Closing GovernmentClosing Opposition “ISIS is harming people in the Middle East and we have a duty to protect them” “ISIS is a threat to security in the West, and will terrorize us if we don’t stop them” “ISIS will only get stronger if the West gets involved and causes more violence” “The West shouldn’t break international law by waging war in countries where it hasn’t been invited” 14

British Parliamentary Style – Example This House Would Publically Fund Elections Opening GovernmentOpening Opposition Closing GovernmentClosing Opposition “This gives every party a fair chance to make their views heard” “Now, parties focus on actually appealing to individual voters instead of fundraising for cash” “Public money shouldn’t go towards political parties that people don’t all support” “Now parties depend on the state instead of supporters, and people have one less way to get involved” 15

Points of Information  Definition  A short question, attack or response given during someone else’s speech  Rules  Give two, take two  Protected Time  How to Give  Short and snappy  How to Take  Whenever works for you 16

Points of Clarification  Definition  A short clarification on a part of the government case or model that you don’t understand  Rules  Like a POI, but only during PM speech  Can be in protected time (but say “clarification”) 17

Judging Criteria  Pursuasiveness  Whose arguments were most important, convincing  Engagement  Who played ball with other teams effectively  Role Fullfillment  Did everyone do what they needed to do in the round? 18

Learning and Improving  Debate is about practice and improvement  Keep a notebook/folder/binder  Seek out and consider feedback  Keep an eye on issues that may come up 19