How Debating works

Competitive debating • We hope to be more presidential

debate, less Jeremy Kyle• For discourse to happen in the most

optimum way, it has to be judged objectively, and all voices need to be given equal time and weighting

• To make it fun, we made it competitive• And thus, British Parliamentary

Style was born

What does it look like

• A motion is announced , e.g THW assassinate Vladamir Putin

• 8 Speakers, split into 4 teams, get to debate it, there are 2 teams on each side.

• One side proposes (supports) the motion, one opposes (contests) the motion

• Each person makes one speech, either supporting, or contesting the motion

• Most of you know this

The Teams

• Two speakers speak for 1st proposition/Opening Government

• Two speakers speak for 1st opposition/Opening opposition

• Two speakers speak for 2nd proposition/Closing Government

• Two speakers speak for 2nd opposition/Closing Opposition

Opening Government (OG)

Closing Government (CG)

Opening Opposition (OO)

Closing Opposition (CO)

1. Prime Minister

3. Deputy Prime Minister

5. Member of Government (MG)

7. Government Whip (GW)

6. Member of Opposition (MO)

8. Opposition Whip (OW)

2. Leader of Opposition (LO)

4. Deputy Leader of Opposition (DLO)TOP

HALF

BOTT

OM

HAL

F

Points of Information

• Used during unprotected time. (today, the 2 minutes between the start and end of your speech)

• Making an objection against the speaker’s argument.

• They have to be accepted, don’t take more than 1 or 2, but take some

The Table

TABLE

1

3

5

7

2

4

6

8

1st prop

2nd

prop2nd

opp

1stopp

First Proposition

• Speaker One: defines the motion, and tells me why it should pass

• Speaker Two backs that up

First Opposition

• Speaker One: tells me why a motion shouldn’t pass

• Speaker Two does the same

First Proposition

• Speaker One: defines the motion, and tells me why it should pass

• Speaker Two backs that up

Second Proposition

• Speaker One: extends by giving me new reasons why the motion is amazing

• Speaker Two summates the debate, they consider and summarise the debate as a whole and tell me why prop has won

Second Opposition

• Speaker One: extends by giving me new reasons why the motion is the worst thing since OJ Simpson

• Speaker Two summates the debate, they consider and summarise the debate as a whole and tell me why opp has won

It’s all done in speeches

• Speeches are the bit where you get up and say your part

• You get loads of time to think about what you’re going to say and plan it

• Don’t write your speech, write your plan, let the words come, it always makes a better speech

How to structure a speech

Four-point plan for success1. Introduction/framing (you will learn more

about this later)2. Tell us what you’re going to say.3. Say what you’re going to say.4. Tell me what you’ve said.

Now…what are you going to say?

1. How many substantive points you’re going to make.

2. What those points are and briefly explain why they are important.

3. Explain that you’re going to do rebuttal first and mention how many points of rebuttal you’re going to make.

Now…what are you going to say?

4. Rebuttal (follow the structure below).5. Signpost first substantive point.6. Explain first point, provide a (parallel) example to back it up. Input analysis. 7. Do the same for the rest of the points.8. (15seconds to go) Summarise what you’ve said.

Today’s 3 minute speeches – an example

0:00-0:10 introduction – what’s the theme of your team line? What’s your argument in a nutshell?0:10-0:20 mention the 2 points, or main arguments, you’re going to make0:20-1:00 rebuttal1:00-2.:45 arguments – try to group your arguments for and against into 2 main points. Make them, signposting as you go. Why is this argument true? Why is it relevant? 2:45-3:00- sum up, what did you say?