1. British Parliamentary Debating Course Presented for CPUT by Piet Olivier

2. BP RULES WORKSHOP

3. Introduction Based on British Parliament Used by universities internationally Used in South African universities’ debating Will be used at Nationals 2011

4. Format Government Opening Government (OG) Closing Government (CG) Opposition Opening Opposition (OO) Closing opposition (CO)

5. Preparation The motion – Set by a senior adjudicator – This House would reinstate the death penalty – Government teams agree and opposition teams disagree Teams are assigned to positions – Drawing lots – A tab system Teams prepare for 15 minutes

6. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

7. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

8. OG 1 – Prime Minister Defines the motion – Clarifying what is meant by the motion and what the debate will be about. – Must comply with the following principles: It must be clearly and logically linked to the motion. It must allow both teams room to debate. It must not be unfairly time or place-set. – Example: A definition for the motion, THW not allow 2010 WC employees to strike: “Employees directly required to run the World Cup must not be allowed to strike, such as security guards and ESKOM employees, during the 2010 World Cup.”

9. OG 1 – Prime Minister Presents a policy (if necessary) – How the government will achieve its proposal – Example: In the motion “THW would legalise prostitution”, a policy could be one that involves licensed brothels Outlines the government’s case split Provides positive arguments

10. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

11. OO 1 – Leader of the Opposition Outlines the clash – Where the opposition will disagree with the government – Example: In the prostitution example, could claim that legalising prostitution is unacceptable for the prostitute and bad for society. – Do this explicitly!

12. OO 1 – Leader of the Opposition Presents a counter-policy (if necessary) – If government presents a policy – Usually the status quo Outlines the opposition’s case split Presents rebuttal Presents positive arguments This order can be modified

13. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

14. OG 2 and OO 2 OG 2 – Deputy Prime Minister – Rebuttal – Positive arguments OO 2 – Deputy Leader of the Opposition – Rebuttal – Positive arguments

15. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

16. CG 1 – Member of Government Presents the closing government case split Rebuts the opening opposition case (briefly and only if necessary) Extends the government case

17. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

18. CO 1 – Member of the Opposition Rebuts mostly the CG case Presents the closing opposition case split Extends the opposition case

19. Extensions It is “something new” raised by a closing team that has not been raised by their opening team. It must include: – New arguments, or – Expansions on existing arguments. New policy is not enough on its own. New examples are useful.

20. Extensions - Examples “THW legalise prostitution” – The OG argues it maximises choice and reduces the crime associated with prostitution. – The CG can extend by arguing it will reduce the HIV/AIDS rate by increasing condom use. “THW not tax carbon emissions” – The OG argues that it will reduce economic growth. – The CG can extend by saying that it will affect the third world unfairly.

21. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

22. CG 2 – Government Whip Rebuts points raised by the member of opposition Provides more of the extension, if necessary Provides a biased summary of the debate, which should occupy most of his/her time

23. Overview of a BP debate Prime minister Leader of the opposition Deputy prime minister Deputy leader of the opposition Member of government Member of opposition Government whip Opposition whip

24. CO 2 – Opposition Whip May only rebut points raised by government whip. This is the only new information allowed in the opposition whip’s speech. Provides a biased summary of the debate, which should occupy most of his/her time.

25. Points of information Offered during the speech of a member on an opposing team Stand up and say “point of information” or “point” If the speaker accepts you, offer a short point or question Intended to – Show weakness in argumentation – Throw a speaker off

26. Points of information Are a maximum of 15 seconds long Each speaker should take 2-3 POIs during his or her speech. Each member of the opposing side of the house should offer at least 2 points during a speech. Do not disrupt a speech with overly frequent POIs (barracking). Headlining is not allowed.

27. Definitional challenges Avoid these! Only the leader of the opposition may challenge a definition, and if he does he must do the following. – Explicitly say the definition is being challenged. – Argue how the challenge is legitimately on the following grounds: Squirrel Unfairly time or place-set Truistic definition

28. Definitional challenges - consequences The rest of the debate becomes about the definition. To fill time, government may run its substantive points and, Opposition may run the case it would have run. Avoid these!

29. Adjudication Speakers leave the room Adjudicators deliberate Result is given Constructive criticism

30. STYLE IN BP DEBATING Most of this presentation was sourced from Rob Garlick’s SANUDC 2006 speaker workshop

31. Functions of Style A tool for clarity A means of persuasion

32. Technical issues Achieve clarity – Speak slowly – Speak sufficiently loudly – Enunciate your words Maintain eye-contact with your whole audience Keep appropriate levels of emotion – Do not become hysterical – Adapt to the emotionality of the debate

33. Technical issues Use body language appropriately – It should not be distracting – It should be consistent with the rest of your presentation Confidence is very important

34. Formula for winning BP debates Solid argumentation Good style Sensible strategy A winning speech