1. Points of information

2. General info Max 15 seconds 1-2 POIs during a speech
1st and last minute protected
Point of clarification
1st speaker’s speech
About definition / plant
Obliged to take this point
Introduction
15 seconds
1 POI per a 5 min speech, 1-2 POIs during a 7 minute speech
1st and last minute of the speech – protected from POIs
time signal indicates these points
POC
can be asked during the first speakers speech
about the DEFINITION – crucial for the debate
if about castration – POC (chemical or cut of balls)
not – do you think it is ethical (that is a debate – not definition)
if say POC – need to take it

3. Important because Fun visuals
Time of the debate when the judge sees confrontation with the other side
Helps to establish your credibility in the room
Helps to stay active during the debate
No more important skills than the ability to answer difficult questions
Important because
Time of the debate when the judge sees confrontation with the other side
sees the relative comparison and gives the judge the opportunity to compare
Helps to establish the credibility in the room
others cannot answer
can use the answers against others
Helps to stay active during the debate
If you are the 1 GOV
There are no more important skills than the ability to answer difficult questions well
Pitch, parents

4. Making a POI Offering the point Prepare your POI Timing Stand up
Be short and respectful
Speaker has the floor
Be active
All about the judge’s psychology
Prepare your POI
Be short and clear
Only things which are crucial for the debate
Timing
During transitions in the speech
Offering the point
Stand up
don’t wave your hand and be like “heeey”
Sir / Madam, On that point, Point, Point of information
short and respectful
The speaker has the floor
When you raise for the point – cannot speak until given the permission
Need to be active
not every 5 seconds (every 30 seconds is sufficient)
however, need to stay active
show the judge that you have something to say
show the judge that you disagree with what has been said
even if does not take points – keep trying
It is all about the judge psychology
If stand up, the judge thinks what is the reason behind standing up
Judge starts to think whether the speaker said something really stupid
If all 4 stand up – how dumb things has the speaker said
need to watch the judge when raise for a POI
to see whether there is any feedback from the judge (both when the question is asked and answered)
when make an eye contact – believe that you are telling the truth (+ personal connection)
Prepare your POI
Need to prepare your POIs
write down the point and be specific
do not stand up and be like “aaaahh”
not a random question – need to be strategically aimed
do not ask “do you think it is a problem?” – “well, yes, that is why I debate about that”
can prepare together with the partner and both stand up and try to ask it
POI needs to be short
You only have 15 sec
The longer the POI – the longer time the speaker has to think about the answer
You can be (and will be) sat down after 15 sec
It makes you look in command of the debate
do not ask 2 part questions
say only the things which make an impact on the debate
if say something you can use against them – DO IT
Timing
timing
not right after have taken a point
most probably – during transitions during the speech
when move between different arguments or between rebuttal and arguments

5. Taking a POI Dismissing a POI When to take a POI
“ No, thank you”
Waive down
When to take a POI
Not right after rebuttal
When convenient to you
From whom to take a POI
The strongest team
From the other half
If no idea how to answer the POI
“ I am glad you asked that question – my answer is…”
“I will answer that question during the speech”
How to dismiss the point
2 ways: “No, thank you” or waive down
preferably waive down as it does not interrupt your speech
do not do that if you are not in a debate
no judge wants to vote for someone who is plain rude
When do you take a POI
probably not right after the rebuttal (as will talk about their speech)
when your material is brought in so that you can make it stronger
when you want to take them – when it is convenient for you
do not ask others to give you POIs
looks weak and seems that you do not have anything to say
Who to take points from
from the strongest ones
If 1st half – from the second half (to have the opportunity to interact)
If you are 2nd half – be careful to not put out too much information as the 1st half might steal your extension
If have no idea how to answer the question
do not say “aaahh, aaah – let’s move on”
you say “I am glad you asked that question – my answer is….”
get more time to think about the question
seem to be in command
must say something relevant in the end
you say “I will answer that question during the speech”
should actually answer

6. Refutation

7. Rebuttal Description Structure Defensive vs. offensive
Attack critical points
Incorporate in your case
Do not refute everything
Structure
They say…
We disagree…
Because…
Therefore…
Defensive vs. offensive
Defensive
The problem is not that big
Offensive
Your plan will create 3 major problems
refutation
attack CRITICAL points of the opponents position (not everything – the main ideas not each example)
preferably, it should be to some extent incorporated in your case – interaction
structure (4-step process)
they say… (identify the argument you are answering so that the judge can follow)
we disagree… (show your position)
why… (explain why the things they say are useless)
therefore… (what does it mean that you have disproved the argument – significance of disputing it (won the debate, just made it irrelevant))
defensive vs. offensive argumentation (defensive << offensive)
defensive: the problem is not that big of a problem
possibly shows the weakness of the government
but not a reason to oppose
offensive: your plan will create these 3 major problems
reasons why should vote for the opposition

8. Importance of arguments
Is it an independent argument?
Does it prove that the resolution is true?
Is the arguments missing a necessary component?
Argument
Is it about consequential point in the debate?
which are the important arguments (5 questions)
Does this argument prove that the resolution is true?
Is this an independent argument or it is linked to / dependent on another argument?
Is this argument about a not consequential point the debate? If does not matter – do not correct every mistake of their case?
How much time did the opponent spent on the argument?
Is the argument missing a necessary component? (can simply point out the missing point)
priority of refutation
every argument does not deserve the same time of refutation
if it is dumb – acknowledge it but do not spend too much time on it
refute the points assuming that they are explained in the best possible way
makes your case stronger
How much time did the opponent spent on the argument?

9. More information Fun visuals Lecture on POIs by Alfred Snider
Lecture on refutation by Kenneth Newby
The Economist debate on the motion
IDEA debate on the motion