Centralino Debate Seminar

8/8/2019 Centralino Debate Seminar

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MCU

Basic Debate Seminar


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Why debate?


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Part One:MECHANICS

What an Asian

Parliamentary Debate

Looks Like


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The Basics

A point ofinformation lasts

for a maximum of15 seconds

Motions are given15 minutes prior to

the debate

There are 2 teams per round(Government and Opposition)

Each team is composed of 3speakers

Each speech lasts for about 7minutes, with the first and lastminute uninterrupted

In the remaining 5 minutes,members from the opposing

teams can raise POINTS OFINFORMATION


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Structure

GovernmentPrime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister

Govs Whip

Govt Reply

OppositionLeader of Oppn

Deputy Leader of Oppn

Oppn Whip

Oppn Reply


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Part Two:RULES

The Technical Stuff


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Motion

Motions mustbe defined by

the Prime

Minister More on thislater under

Speaker Roles

it is the propositionwhich the Government

side is supposed to

defend

there are three types ofmotions:

Open motions Semi-closed motions Closed motions


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Vetoing

3 motions are givenunder a certain theme

Each team ranks theirpreferred motions

The 2 teams showtheir rankings anddebate on thecommonly preferredmotion

Likely Scenarios:

Perfect veto

Opposite veto

Coin toss


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Definitions

Unfairdefinitions:

Bad or illegal definitions

are usually challenged(more on this later)

Truisims Squirrels Time/Place

Sets

Tautologies

Each definition MUST: Have a direct link to the

motion

Be fair and debatable

Identify the issues to bedebated and the scope of

the debate (criteria orstandard)

Include parameters whennecessary


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Points ofInformation

Must be no more than 15seconds long

It is the discretion of theperson speaking whetherto recognize the point ornot

Each speaker mustaccept at least two pointsof information per speech


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Team andSpeaker Roles

An Overview


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Government

the Deputy Prime Minister must:

rebut the points of the LO Support the arguments of the PM Introduce substantive material to

support his/her side of the split

the Prime Minister must:

introduce the definition and providea link to the motion

introduce the case of the OG, andsubstantive material to support his/her side of the split

provide a clear and reasonable definition

establish the issues and scope of the debateadvance a substantive case

summarize the debate for the government

the Government

Whip must:

rebut the points ofthe MO

Summarize thedebate

Reiterate andsupport the pointsof the entire govtside

Introduce freshexamples tosupport/rebutpreviouslymentionedarguments


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Opposition

the Deputy Leader of Oppn must: rebut the points of the DPM Support the arguments of the LO Introduce substantive material to


the Leader of Opposition must:

Accept or reject the definition andprovide a link to the motion

Rebut the points of the PM introduce the case of the OO introduce substantive material to


Examine the definition of OG, challenge or

accept the definitionRebut the arguments of OG, advance a

substantive caseSummarize the debate for opposition

the Opposition Whipmust:

rebut the points ofthe GW

Summarize thedebate

Reiterate andsupport the pointsof the entireopposition side

Introduce freshexamples tosupport/rebut

previouslymentionedarguments


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Part Three:Matter, Manner,

MethodIts the meat in your

sandwich, the heart

of the matter


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Matter

Arguments

Rebuttal

POIs


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Matter: Definition

The content of the speech. Itis the arguments a debateruses to further his or her case

and persuade the audience Includes arguments,reasoning, and examples

Includes positive (substantivematerial) and rebuttal

Includes points of information

Soon to follow:

What is anargument?

Rebuttal Points of

Information

Matterloading


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What is anargument?

the reason why you supportor oppose a motion

argument versus premise

Arguments must

be backed by:

Analysis: gobeyond the label

and ask the mostimportant question:WHY?

Examples: userelevant ones and

DONT argue by

example


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Rebuttal

All speakers, except the PrimeMinister, are expected to

present rebuttal

Types of rebuttal: Error of fact Irrelevancy Illogical Argument Unacceptable Implications Little Weight Contradictions and Inconsistencies

How muchrebuttal is too

much rebuttal?


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POIs!

Keep it short: You justhave fifteen seconds!

Types of POIs: Clarification Question Direct rebuttal Introducing your argument Bringing back your

argument

How often should

I raise points of

information?

How many points

of information

should I ask?


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Matterloading

How much am I

supposed to know?

Knowing is half the battle Read, read, read Ask the right questions


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Manner

It matters

how you say it


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Manner: Definition

The presentation of thespeech. It is the style a

member uses to further

his or her case and

persuade the audience

Comprised of manyseparate elements.

There is no correct styleof debating

Some things tokeep in mind:

Eye contact

Voicemodulation

Hand gestures Clear and

simple

language Efficient notes


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Method

Individual Method

And Team Method


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Method: Definition

Can be divided intoindividual method and

team method

Individual method refersto the organization of

your speech

Team method refers tothe flow and consistencyof the arguments of the

two speakers in a team


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Two Kinds ofMethod

Individual method: Structure your speech Sign-posting Time management

Team method: Allocate your arguments

properly

If you are the first speaker,give a team split

If you are the secondspeaker, refer to yourpartner regularly

Other things to

remember:

LISTEN

MAINTAIN

PROPERCONDUCT


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Scoring and Range

80: you will vote for this personin May 2010

78-79: a finals-level speaker

76-77: mostly flawless speech,but arguments could havebeen deepened still

75: average speechgooddelivery, good structure,could have been better

74: minor flaws, but convincing

73: a few flaws, but stillcommendable

72: obviously flawed but stillcomprehensible

71: major flaws and problems

70: poor speech: delivery andcontent

69: stood up and said themotion, then sat back down

The reply speech is only halfthe points of a substantive

speech: score as usual thendivide by 2

The scores should reflect theresult: no low-point wins,

please

Documents

Centralino Debate Seminar