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. Air Cadet Debating Presentation Sunday May 1, 2016
Time: :00 to 14:00 Hours
Location: Mohawk College
Delivered by: Captain Marilyn Coleman
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

3. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Agenda
10:00 Welcome, Introductions & Purpose
10:15 The Basics - Rules, Regulations, Roles and Structure
11:00 Training Video
10:45 Escalating and Raising Points
11:00 Scoring and Judges Expectations
11:50 Advise on How to Prepare
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Debating Exercise and Observe Impromptu Debate
14:15 Break and Gold Medal Prepared Debate
16:00 Conclusion
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

4. Purpose of Workshop The Art of Debating Rules & Regulations
To familiarize attendees with the
following
The Art of Debating
Rules & Regulations
Practice in Forming an Argument
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

5. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Rules of Debating
Presided over by the Speaker of the House
Government on Right, Opposition on Left
Speeches must not be read
All remarks addressed to the Speaker
Government must define the Resolution
No Props (dictionary/thesaurus only)
No new Arguments in the PM Rebuttal
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

6. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
More Rules…
Use proper titles when referring to people
No Profanity
Verbal “heckling” only – must be pertinent, brief and infrequent
Only one person holds the floor at one time (must be recognized by the Speaker)
No squirreling (defining the resolution in obscure terms)
No coaching during the debate
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

7. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
The Arguments
Fact based points – be prepared to quote your source
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
Should a counter proposal be introduced the onus of persuasion switches
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

8. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Debating Roles
1) Speaker of the House
Acts as moderator/master of ceremonies
2) Timekeeper
Uses time cards to caution speakers of time remaining
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

9. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Debating Roles
3) Government Team
Affirmative side that supports the resolution
4) Opposition Team
Contests the validity of the Government’s motion
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

10. 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)
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

11. Prime Ministers Introduction (PM) (5 or 3 minutes)
1) Explain Government’s case
Define the Resolution
2) Outline 4 or more Points (2-3 for impromptu)
3) Give Background Information
Explain points or arguments in detail
4) Conclude - State Why the Case Should Stand
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

12. Member of the Opposition (MO) (5 or 3 minutes)
Outline Points for Opposition Side – provide facts
2) Rebut all Points made by the Prime Minister
3) Summarize Why the Government’s Case Should Fall
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

13. Minister of the Crown (MC) (5 or 3 minutes)
1) Outline 1 or 2 new points
2) Rebut all Points Raised By The Opposition
3) Rebuild the Government’s Case
4) Summarize all points as to why the resolution must stand
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

14. Leader of the Opposition (LO) (7 or 4 minutes)
Defend/rebuild all points made by the Opposition
Outline 1-2 New Points for Opposition Side
2) Rebut all Points Made by Minister of The Crown (MC)
3) Summarize Why the Resolution Must Fail
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

15. Prime Ministers Rebuttal (PM) (2 or 1 minute)
1) Rebut Points Made by The Opposition
(Pick main arguments and show why they still stand or make the Opposition’s case fail)
2) Explain Why the Government’s Case Must Stand
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

16. The Speaker of the House
Speaker Explains the Process & Introduces the Teams
Speaker Declares Debate Open & introduces speakers
Rule on Points of Order or Personal Privilege – escalate where required
Declares the debate closed
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

17. Training Video Provincial Gold Medal Debate
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

18. Escalating Control of the Debate
If a member is not listening to the Speakers direction or fails to yield the floor on a point, appeal is made to the head judge in the room to enforce the rules.  The head judge will then direct the member, and warn the member that such behaviour is not tolerated.
If the head judge sees that the Speaker of the House is unable to maintain control as demonstrated by a team arguing with their direction, the head judge is to enforce the authority of the Speaker by advising the member to follow direction and issues warning.
If the member still refuses direction from the Head Judge and Speaker, the timekeeper is instructed to summon the Chief Judge who may assign another Speaker of the House for the remainder of the debate and repeat the warning.
The member who has risen on their point and been recognized will wait until the other member has yielded (is seated and quiet) before proceeding.  They should not enter into the argument or attempt to state their point until it is calm and quiet.  In this way, the member retains their good standing
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

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....
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

20. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Points of Order
Draws Attention to Breach of Rules
Irrelevance or misquoting
Possible Misconduct
Immediately After Rule Contravened
Speaker May call a Member to Order
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

21. Points of Personal Privilege
Include Misquoting or Misrepresenting an Opponent
Referring to a Member Incorrectly
Slandering a Member
Cannot Raise a Point on Behalf of Another Member
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

22. 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
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

23. 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/Information/ Privilege)”
Debater Interrupted Shall Immediately Surrender the Floor (interrupted debater sits down)
Speaker Will Recognize Complainant, Hear the Objection Request
Or a point of Order or Personal Privilege, rule (defer to judges if uncertain). Announce “Point Well Taken” or “Not Well Taken”
Return control to the interrupted Debater
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

24. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
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
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

25. 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
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

26. 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
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

27. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
How Do I Prepare?
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
Review the rules and practice
Bring writing material and a team dictionary or thesaurus
No laptops – but a list of quotations is permissible
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

28. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
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
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

29. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Lunch Break
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

30. Debating Exercise and Impromptu Debates
Observe or Practice what you’ve learned
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

31. www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program
Today’s Youth
Tomorrow’s Leaders!
www. aircadetleague.on.ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program