1. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Air Cadet League of Canada Ontario Provincial Committee Air Cadet Debating Program
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

2. Introduction to Debating
To familiarize attendees with the
following
OPC Debating Program Background
Roles & Basic Rules
Organizing a squadron team
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

3. Program Background Information
Successful Optional Training activity introduced in 2003
Parliamentary Style debating based on the Ontario Student Debating Union model
Focus is on developing life skills for the cadet in the areas of listening, reasoning, and public speaking
Steadily grown in popularity – at capacity for a single (provincial) competition and cadet workshop.
Program is established in Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara areas. New areas looking to onboard
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4. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Debating Roles
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5. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Cadet Teams
Each competition team consists of 3 cadets
Two cadets are the team debaters who will alternate arguing a case as the Government then the Opposition side
The third cadet on each team acts as a Speaker / Timekeeper who alternates between the 2 positions from debate to debate
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6. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Cadet Debating Roles
1) Government Team – seated right of Speaker
Affirmative side that supports the resolution. The burden of proof lies with the Government unless a counter proposal is tabled by the Opposition
Prime Minister (PM) Member of the Crown (MC)
2) Opposition Team – seated left of Speaker
Contests the validity of the Government’s motion
Leader of the Opposition (LO) Member of the Opposition (MO)
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7. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Cadet Debating Roles
Speaker / Timekeeper positions
a) Speaker of the House
Acts as moderator/master of ceremonies
b) Timekeeper
Uses time cards to caution speakers of time remaining and tracks time faults for teller
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8. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Speaker of the House
Primary purpose of the speaker is to maintain order during the debate. A script is available for assistance.
Speaker Explains the Process & Introduces the Teams
Speaker Declares Debate Open & introduces speakers
Rule on Points of Order or Personal Privilege – escalate (seek advice of the Head Judge) where required
A Speakers ruling is final and not contestable
A speaker may call a member to order
Declares the debate closed
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9. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Order of Speaking
1. Prime Minister’s Introduction (PM)
- 5 Minutes (3 for impromptu)
2. First member of the Opposition (MO)
- 5 Minutes (3 for impromptu)
3. Minister of the Crown (MC)
4. Leader of the Opposition (LO)
- 7 Minutes (4 for impromptu)
5. Prime Minister’s Rebuttal (PM)
- 2 Minutes (1 for impromptu)
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10. When a debater holds the floor…
1) BUILD or REBUILD their side’s case
** PM should define terms in the Resolution
Explain points or arguments in detail (with supporting evidence)
2) REFUTE any points made by their opponents
3) CONCLUDE – Each member summarizes their arguments as to why the Resolution should either Stand or Fail
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11. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Debating Rules
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12. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Debating Rules - DO’s
All remarks addressed to the Speaker
Only one person holds the floor at one time (must be recognized by the Speaker)
Use proper titles when referring to a member of the house
Government should define the Resolution
Verbal “heckling” must be pertinent, brief and infrequent
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

13. Debating Rules - DO NOTs
No Profanity (proper language only)
No Props or Electronic aids during debate (dictionary/thesaurus only)
No new Arguments in the Final Rebuttal
Speeches should not be read (notes OK)
No ``squirreling`` of the resolution (defining the resolution in obscure terms)
No coaching during the debate
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Raising Points
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Points of Order
Draws Attention to Breach of Rules
Possible Misconduct (e.g. Profanity)
Immediately After Rule Contravened
Speaker May call a Member to Order to maintain proper control of the debate
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16. Points of Personal Privilege
Include Misquoting or Misrepresenting an Opponent
Referring to a Member Incorrectly
Slandering a Member
Cannot Raise a Point of Personal Privilege on Behalf of Another Member
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17. Points of Information (Rule Change in 2016)
Points of Information are a request to your opponent to interject during their speech with a question or comment.
These are not used in Air Cadet debating. Make your comments or observations in your rebuttal arguments
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18. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Raising a Point:
To Raise – Stand and Say “Mr. (Madam) Speaker I Rise on a Point of… (Order / Personal Privilege)”
Debater Interrupted Shall Immediately Surrender the Floor (sits down). The Timekeeper suspends time.
Speaker Will hear the Objection Request
Speaker will RULE on the Point (confer with judges if uncertain). Announce “Point Well Taken” or “Not Well Taken”. This ruling is final.
Return control to the interrupted Debater. Time keeping resumes.
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19. Maintaining Control of the Debate
It is the job of the speaker to maintain control of the debate and rule on any points raised in the debate. A speaker’s ruling should normally not be challenged.
The speaker may consult with the judges if uncertain on a ruling or to assist brining a member to order.
A Judge may also interject to gain control of a debate where a team is in clear violation of the rules, or is failing to take direction from the Speaker. The team can be cautioned that continued action could result in a disqualification.
Prior to a disqualification, the Timekeeper will be directed to summon the Chief Judge for consultation on the incident, and impact to the team score (potential zero score).
Speaker can defer to Head judge on a ruling. Point ruling cannot be challenged. Call member to order....
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20. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Coaches Corner
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21. Considering a debating team?
Appoint a Coach early on (January timeframe) – can be an Officer, CV, SSC member, parent or community volunteer. Have the right supervision. CATO for volunteers.
Two or more 3 person teams per squadron are ideal for practice sessions. Neighbouring squadron teams?
Prepared debate topics are released 2 to 3 weeks in advance of competition dates
If required, Regional competitions are to take place in the mid-March to mid-April timeframe. Top 2 teams advance.
Provincial finals same weekend and place as ES (end of April – currently Hamilton area )
Squadrons are responsible for competition travel costs
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

22. Before you start debating…
Visit the OPC Debating Home Page
Download and review current rules in detail
Talk about the team roles with participants
Show team members how to time keep
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23. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Prepare to debate
You need to be able to argue both sides effectively !
Research or List Facts that support the resolution
* Make sure you note the source of any research
Research or List Facts that “refute” the resolution
List Counterpoints or arguments for each fact you listed
Bring writing material and a team dictionary or thesaurus
No laptops or devices – but point form notes are permissible
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Make 2 Point Form Lists {Affirmative and Opposition views} include your sources
Supported point A counter argument
Supported point B counter argument
Supported point C counter argument
Supported point D counter argument
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25. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
The Arguments
Fact based points – be able to quote your source. Judges can penalize fabricated evidence in the prepared round.
Imaginative arguments are permitted in impromptu round
Purely emotional appeals are not credited
The team supporting the affirmative argument (normally the government) has the onus of persuasion unless a counter proposal be introduced. This is where the onus of persuasion can be shared or switch
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26. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Effective Listening!
Teams need to HEAR, note and address all of their opponents arguments in order to effectively debate.
Use of a pen and paper to make point form notes of the arguments will help.
Be careful not to misquote your opponent.
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

27. Practice - Practice - Practice
Practice both Prepared and Impromptu debating with your teams
Impromptu topic examples can be found on the internet
Consider training with neighbouring squadrons (if practical)
Make it FUN – this is optional training
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28. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Judges Clinic
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29. Judges Key Responsibilities
Score the debates consistently and fairly based on:
What you see and hear in the room
The three categories defined in the rules: Arguments & Evidence, Organization and Delivery
Guidelines for Judges made available in advance
Back-up the Speaker of the House
Provide advice on the rules if they ask for it
Reinforce their authority if they ask you to
Step in tactfully and briefly if order has deteriorated too far
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30. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Judging Logistics
Judging is key to fairness of the competition
Ideally:
At least two judges per room
No debater appears before the same judges more than once before the final round
Judges are not affiliated with any of the teams
Judges come from many places, for example:
Local university/college faculty and debating union
Toastmasters
Friends and colleagues
Judges must be comfortable and feel supported by:
Clear guidelines and judging forms
A Chief Judge whose job it is to address issues/complaints and act as a resource for interpretation of the rules
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Scoring Overview
A. Argument & Evidence (40 marks)
Points
10 – Presented Logical Arguments – both points and counter points
10 – Arguments Were Evidence Based
10 – Arguments Directly Supported or Rebutted the Case
10 – Rebuilt the Case After Attack
Refer to Distributed Marking Sheets
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32. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Scoring Overview
B. Organization (40 marks)
Points
10 – Coherency of the Presentation
10 – Logic of Order in Which Arguments Presented
10 – Brought Together into Tight Conclusion
10 – Correct Grammar, Phrasing, Sentence Structure
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33. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Scoring Overview
C. Delivery & Style (20 marks)
Points
5 – Spoke With Enthusiasm & Confidence
5 – Cadence and Rhythm of the Presentation
5 – Proper Stance, Audible, Pronunciation Enunciation
5 – Use of Tonal Variations, Hand Gestures, Humour
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34. Assessing the House Speaker
The key role of the Speaker is to maintain order and respect so that the debaters can do their best
The three categories for judging debaters can help frame your score for the Speaker:
Evidence: Do they know the rules? Were their rulings correct? (Note: if they are not called upon to make rulings, this category may not come to bear)
Organization: Did they maintain order? Was the debate run efficiently from the time the Speaker entered the room (e.g., gathering the names, getting people seated and ready)?
Delivery: Were they poised and polished? Did they command respect?
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35. Scoring the House Speaker
The Speaker is assigned a score between 60 and 95
A speaker who is well organized and does everything they are supposed to do would receive a score of (good).
A score of would be awarded to a speaker who does all that is normally required then goes beyond by either
Correctly ruling on points without assistance OR
Proactively calling members to order to maintain control
90-95is reserved for a speaker who demonstrates excellence in all scoring areas and has overcome serious challenges to the order of the house - unassisted and with remarkable poise
60-69 is reserved for a speaker who loses control of the House and requires the intervention of the Judge
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

36. You Be the Judge! 2015 Provincial Gold Medal Debate VIDEO 3.38
Start video at 3:38 – Stop 25:55
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37. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Scoring (5 min)
Who won ?
Discussion
Q&A
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38. Resources Found under OPC website links OPC Debating Committee
Fred Hopkinson, Program Chair
Joanne Plaxton, Chief Judge
Mark Thususka, Chief Instructor
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39. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Today’s Youth
Tomorrow’s Leaders!
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program