Introduction To Debate

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Mr. Penza

What is Parliamentary Debate?

Two Sides

Government

• Team is Made up of
• Prime Minister (Speaks 2X)
• Member of Government
• Introduces / Supports a Case Topic
• Has a total of three Speeches in the Debate

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Opposition

• Team is Made up of
• Leader of Opposition (Speaks 2X)
• Member of Opposition
• Tears down Case Topic
• Has a total of three Speeches in the Debate

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Order of Speeches in a Debate

Let’s start with the Government Side

It all starts with a Resolution....

• A RESOLUTION is defined as a quotation, slogan, or phrase used to spark debates.
• It is meant to be vague to give wide margins for the Government to create a case.
• Examples:
• At the end of the game, both the Queen and the Pawn go in the same box.
• Swole is the goal.
• I came in like a wrecking ball.

... next add a link...

• A LINK is defined as the line of reasoning connecting the resolution to the case topic.
• It is a statement the bridges the RESOLUTION to the CASE TOPIC.
• Should be about 45 seconds when spoken.
• Opposition can call link into question if it is not clear.
• Examples:
• Resolve: At the end of the game, both the Queen and the Pawn go in the same box.
• Resolve: Swole is the goal.
• Resolve: I came in like a wrecking ball.

... then present the CASE TOPIC

• A CASE TOPIC is defined as the actual issue of debate. It may be serious or frivolous.
• Must have CLASH. Clash is defined as a strong and clear line of disagreement on the issue presented by the government.
• Created by the GOVERNMENT.
• Supported with three contentions.
• It must call for a change in the status quo.
• It must be able to be argued with GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
• General Knowledge is defined as any information one would expect the average college freshman to know, most commonly - anything in the newspaper, on the daily news, or any other news media outlet would be general knowledge.

.. be sure to define your terms..

• The Government should set limits on the terms used in their CASE TOPIC. This process is called DEFINING TERMS.
• These definitions give the limitations of the case. The opposition can exploit any terms not properly defined to “change the case”.
• Case Topic - Every student must take a personal fitness course in High School.
• Every student - HS students between grades 9 - 12.
• must take - a mandatory course for high school credit
• personal fitness course - a course that teaches proper life long exercise techniques taught by certified staff.
• High School - Building that houses students in grades 9 -12 in the USA.

.. and back up your case topic with contentions.

• A CONTENTION is a major line of argument that supports a CASE TOPIC.
• The government needs to produce three in order to be in compliance with RIFL Debate Structure.
• Each contention must be properly SIGNPOSTED and supported with relevant examples / scenarios.
• SIGNPOSTING is signaling the fact that you are introducing a contention.
• EX. “The government’s first contention is...”
• The Opposition will argue each of the COntentions in the orders they were introduced.

What does a PM Speech look like?

• Greeting / States the Resolution
• Convincing link explained
• Case Topic given
• Terms defined
• State Contention 1:
• Clearly stated
• Be 1:00 to 1:30 min in explanation
• Have examples / scenarios / facts that support it
• State Contention 2:
• Clearly stated
• Be 1:00 to 1:30 min in explanation
• Have examples / scenarios / facts that support it
• State Contention 3:
• Clearly stated
• Be 1:00 to 1:30 min in explanation
• Have examples / scenarios / facts that support it
• Closing has some substance
• Total Time (7:00)

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What does a PM Speech look like?

• Thank You Mr. Madam Speaker for the recognition
• Today we are here to debate the following resolution “ Swole is the goal.”
• Link:
• Common Phrase used in gyms. End of phrase. Kids don’t know how to lift. Anything about physical fitness.
• Every student must take a personal fitness course in High School.
• Every student - HS students between grades 9 - 12.�must take - a mandatory course for high school credit �personal fitness course - a course that teaches proper life long nutrition / exercise techniques taught by certified staff. �High School - Building that houses students in grades 9 -12 in the USA.
• Improved Student Fitness
• Obesity Epidemic
• High School fitness
• College fitness
• Gym-timidation
• SPORTS TEAMS
• Improved Student Nutrition
• HS / C: Energy levels
• C - Freshman 15
• Immediate Family Nutrition
• Future Family Nutrition
• Staff Ed. / Employment
• School staff could go through the courses to be certified
• Teachers would start making healthier life choices . Trickle down
• More People would be employed
• Thank you for the recognition Mr/ Madam Speaker. I hope you side with the Government.
• Total Time (7:00)

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Now let's look at the Opposition

Opposition

• The job of the Opposition is to provide reasons/ examples showing that the Government case will cause more harm than good.
• The Opposition will only sees the actual case of debate for FIVE MINUTES before the round begins.
• Note taking is ESSENTIAL for Opposition. The Government does not provide notes for Opposition and are under no onus to repeat contentions after the speech.

Oppositional Strategies

• These should be considered during the five minutes when case is written on the board.
• Opposition should use one of the following strategies IN ADDITION to arguing the three main contentions.
• Negative Philosophy: an overarching refutation created by the opposition to spark doubt in the judge’s mind in relation to the validity of the Government's case. Typically a short phrase or statement that sounds similar to a resolution and is presented like the government would present a contention.
• Counter Contention: A more direct negation presented by the opposition to spark doubt in the judge’s mind as to the validity of the Government’s case. This is typically phrased and presented much like a contention.
• Alternative Proposal: by showing that a different solution to the problem would work even better, convince speaker not to endorse Gov’s proposed solution.

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What does a Leader of Opposition Speech look like.....

Leader of Opposition Checklist

• State Resolution
• Comment on Link
• Accept or Redefine Terms
• State Case Topic
• Argue Contention #1 created by Government
• Give alternative examples that counter examples given
• Argue Contention #2 created by Government
• Give alternative examples that counter examples given
• Argue Contention #3 created by Government
• Give alternative examples that counter examples given
• Provide one of the Opposition Strategies such as:
• Counter-contention
• Negative Philosophy
• Alternative Proposal
• Closing has some substance
• Full time (8:00)

Member of Government

• Must argue all point brought up by Leader of Opposition.
• Extra Rule for Debating ...
• For Each Contention :
• Argue any evidence that has been given against this contention.
• Add and extra details examples / scenarios / facts that support it.
• Re-state MAIN detail of contention.

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Member of Opposition

For each of the Gov.’s Contentions ....

• Reiterate arguments
• MUST FOCUS on any NEW INFO given by Member of Government
• Restate alternative examples that counter examples given by Government

Also...

• Give further examples / detail / scenarios that support Opposition Strategy�

Rebuttal Speeches (Both LO & PM)

A good rebuttal to be open-ended. Options include any combination of the following:

• point-by-point refutation of what they consider the most crucial points
• bolstering of negative philosophy/counter contention
• solid examples that "crystallize the round" (without actually using that expression; it's become a bit of an obscenity in our league, but the principle behind it still applies)
• How would the WORLD as a whole benefit from your change? (G)
• How would the WORLD as a whole be hurt from Gov’s change? (O) �

Heckling

• Defined as comments made from the seated position to the speaker.
• They should be three things:
• Witty
• Brief
• Rare
• Rounds can VERY EASILY be won without any Heckling at all.
• Most debaters who try to Heckle - OVER DO IT!
• No more than two / three per round.
• Heckling is something that you need to be ready for but do not necessarily have to utilize .
• NEVER RESPOND TO A HECKLE

Note Taking

• The system of note -taking in Parliamentary debate is called FLOWING.
• This is because, holding the paper in landscape mode, your notes should flow left to right.
• This is how the Government and Opposition create speeches that are beyond the initial PM Speech.
• Every speech you give in debate should be in the “flow style” debate.
• Two Examples of Flowing:
• Copy Paper
• Printed lines notes

Note Practice

• You will create a flow sheet based on the following PM Speech. You will have five minutes to think about Oppositional Strategies.

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• CASE TOPIC
• In JK Rowling's books series, Harry Potter should have been labeled a Slytherin.

Judging Debate

Judging Debate

• Each side's score is added together to create a TEAM SCORE (0 - 60).
• The highest score wins the debate.
• Each Debater is ranked 1 - 4.
• Scores and Ranks go into team and individual ranking in the tournament.
• Tie goes to opposition

Judging Debate

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Debaters are judged on following criteria:

Imagine giving a 1 - 5 score ....

• Argument: How well the debaters show their understanding of the basics of the case.
• For Government: The explanation of the link, case topic, and definitions.
• For Opposition: The introduction, in which they comment on the link, accept or reject definitions, and present a negative philosophy or counter contention. For the members on each side, it's the consistent follow-up of these points.
• Refutation: How well the debater contradicts or denies what the opponents say.
• Content: Substance of the contentions, support, and responses.
• Organization: Order and structure of cases and use of time.
• Delivery: Platform skills, such as eye contact, vocal variety, speech rate, volume, posture, gestures
• Style: Approach, tone, use of language, comfort level, wit

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Judging Debate

• Debaters are given a number from 0 - 30

Judging Opposition

• Did they have a clear strategy (+G)
• Did they seem to be throwing out arguments randomly (B)?
• Did they have any oppositional strategies? (optional but G)
• Was there organization to their “attack” of the case topic?

Judging Government

• Case topic:
• Did it make sense (G)?
• Was it too strong or not strong enough(B)?
• Did it seem designed to purposely throw the Opp off their game (B)?
• Note: serious topics aren’t necessarily better than fun ones.
• Did they clearly define their terms(G) or rush through the definitions(B)?
• Did the definitions clarify the points of debate (G) or did they just use synonyms (B)?
• Did they overly define terms that weren’t in question (B)?
• Contentions:
• Were the 3 contentions clearly formulated, distinct and logical(G)?
• Did they adequately convince you that the problem described is serious and that the proposed solution is worth doing(G)?�

Judging both teams ...

• Did they signpost(G)? Was it easy to follow the logic and organization of their arguments (G)?
• Did they work together and build off each others’ ideas (G) or did they seem to contradict each other (B)?
• Did they speak clearly and confidently(G)? Did they speak convincingly (G) without being overly melodramatic or histrionic (G)? Did their style seem natural (G) or contrived (B)?
• Were their arguments logically sound (G) or do they seem to be more style over substance (B)? Did they really respond to the other team (G) or keep repeating their original arguments (B)? [In other words, did they seem to be listening to each other and modifying their arguments in response (G)?]
• Did they support their arguments with examples (G)? Did they continue to develop new ideas throughout the first four constructive speeches (G) or did they repeat themselves too much (B)?
• Did they waste most of their rebuttal repeating the contentions (B) or use the time on big picture issues (G)?
• Did they use their full allotted time (G)? Note: Novices get some leeway here.�