Basics of BP

Table of contents

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03

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What is BP

Government

Opposition

Order of speaking and speaking times

What is BP?

• BP is one of the most popular “styles” or “formats” of debate in the world
• In a BP debate, there are 2 sides
• Government
• Opposition
• On each side, there are 2 teams (4 in total)
• Government
• Opening Government (OG)
• Closing Government (CG)
• Opposition
• Opening Opposition (OO)
• Closing Opposition (CO)
• You win by being ranked higher than all other teams, including the ones on your side!

Speaking Times

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• All speeches are 5 minutes in length
• All speeches have a 15 second “grace” period at the and where the speaker may wrap up their speech
• Anything said after 5:15 will not be counted towards your case

What’s the Style of BP Debate?

• BP does not rely on carded evidence i.e. you aren’t citing articles from the New York Times or Washington Post
• Approach your speeches with an international perspective!
• Speak at a medium pace: Judges will be experienced but you aren’t here to spread!
• You receive points in the round: 4 for the best team, 3 for the next, and so on
• Some quirks
• Point of Information: Asking a question to the opponents
• Point of Order: A debater rises if they believe a rule is broken
• Point of Personal Privilege: A debater seeks to leave the room to use the bathroom for instance

Order of Speaking

1. PM

3. DPM

2. LO

4. DLO

5. MG

7. GW

6. MO

8. OW

Opening Government

Closing Government

Opening Opposition

Closing Opposition

1st Speaker Speeches

• 2nd Speech of the Round

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• Refute the Prime Minister

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• Advocate the opposition’s case with two contentions

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• 1st Speech of the Round

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• Establish framework, models, and definitions

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• Advocate the government's case with two contentions

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• Clearly set up the round for the next 3 teams

Prime Minister (1st Gov)

Leader of Opposition (1st Opp)

2nd Speaker Speeches

• 4th Speech of the Round

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• Rebuild your side from the Deputy Prime Minister

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• Further to attack the advocacy of the government

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• Introduce one more constructive argument

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• 3rd Speech of the Round

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• Rebuild your side from the Leader of Opposition

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• Attack the advocacy of the opposition

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• Introduce one more constructive argument

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Deputy Prime Minister (2nd Gov)

Deputy Leader of Opposition (2nd Opp)

Back half Speeches

• 6th Speech of the Round

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• Extend government narrative and argument

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• Continue to refute and rebuild as necessary

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• Develop weighing and comparison and counter government’s narrative

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• 5th Speech of the Round

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• Extend government narrative and argument

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• Continue to refute and rebuild as necessary

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• Develop weighing and comparison

Member of Government

Member of Opposition

Final Speeches

• 8th Speech of the Round

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• Crystalize opposition’s narrative and perspective

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• Continue to refute and rebuild as necessary

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• Be direct with how the judge should view the round

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• 7th Speech of the Round

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• Crystalize government’s narrative and perspective

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• Continue to refute and rebuild as necessary

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• Be direct with how the judge should view the round

Government Whip

Opposition Whip

Sample BP Round