Asian Parliamentary Debating

Asian Parliamentary Debating September 17 to 18, 2009 F. Bangoy National High School

What is debating? a formal contest in which the affirmative and

negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.

Debate vs. Argumentation Debates are formal and should only have two

sides, where a single topic (motion) is being tackled. Argumentations are rather informal discussions of a collection of reasons on a certain subject. Argumentation may be used in debating, but in an organized manner.

FORMAT Two teams Government Opposition

Adjudication Panel A chairperson (to be addressed as

Mr. or Madam Chair) And at least two members. 

Government Side Prime Minister (PM) Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Government Whip (GW)

Opposition Leader of the Opposition (LO) Deputy Leader of the Opposition (DLO) Opposition Whip (OW)  

Speakin g Order

SPEAKERS' TASKS

Prime Minister - PM (Constructive Speaker) Opens the debate Defines the motion Advances arguments

Deputy Prime Minister - DPM (Constructive Speaker) Refutes at first instance the opposition’s case Reestablishes government’s claim Advances arguments

Government Whip – GW (Rebuttal Speaker) Makes an issue-based rebuttal of the

opposition’s case Summarizes the government’s case

Leader of the Opposition LO (Constructive Speaker) Responds directly to the case of the

government by giving a direct clash Advances arguments May challenge the motion’s definition if challengeable

Deputy Leader of the Opposition – DLO (Constructive Speaker) Refutes the case of the DPM Reestablishes the opposition’s case Advances arguments

Opposition Whip – OW (Rebuttal Speaker) Makes an issue-base rebuttal of the

government’s case Summarizes the opposition’s case

Other tasks of the speakers Throw POIs to the opposing team on the floor. Encouraged to accept at least two POIs. Interjections that are brief, pertinent and

preferably witty, directed to the speaker on the floor. Reply speeches by a speaker from each side, except Rebuttal speakers.

MOTIONS The topic to be debated on.

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Motions Not worded ambiguously. Should be debated in its spirit. Must reflect the theme of the current round of

competition. Must be offered in each competitive round.

Preparations

Ground Rules 15 to 30 minutes preparation of speeches. Printed or written materials permitted during

prep and debates. Electronic equipment strictly prohibited. 5 to 7 minute speeches.

Timekeeping 1st minute – one clap or one knock; POIs may

be raised. 7th minute – two claps or two knocks; POIs are no longer allowed. For replies – at 3rd minute, one knock/clap; at 5th minute, two knocks/claps, no POIs allowed. Undertime – 4:45 below Overtime – 7:15 up

SPECIFICS

DEFINITIONS

The Definition It is the interpretation of the motion as put

forward by the Prime Minister in the opening of his/her speech. It should be reasonable. It should state the issue or issues arising out of the motion and the meanings of any terms in the motion which require interpretation. Should have a clear and logical link to the motion, meaning, an average person would accept the link made by the member between the motion and the definition. Where there is no such link, the definition is often referred to as “squirrel”.

The Definition should not be: A truism (a matter already stated as a fact).

Ex. Genocide is bad. A tautology (a self-proving definition as it can’t allow any reasonable substantive case to be mounted in opposition). Ex. God is God, no more, no less.

The Definition should not be: Place set (setting an unnaturally restrictive

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geographical, spatial or political location that the opponent could not reasonably be expected to have knowledge). Ex. Motion: TH supports birth control policies. Parameter: Japan. Wrong. Better: Philippines, or to say that this debate takes place in 3rd world countries. Motion: TH grieves same-sex marriages. Parameter: Philippines.Wrong. Better: USA, inc. states where same-sex marriages have been recognized.

The Definition should not be: Time set (setting an unnaturally restrictive

chronological period as main parameter that the opposition can’t sufficiently debate with). Meaning, debate must take place in the present. A Squirrel - a definition given by PM which is far from the spirit of the motion, “runs away" from what the debate was supposed to be about. That's why it's called a squirrel. :-) 

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THE DEFINITION IS WRONG WHEN PM IS GUILTY OF ANY OF THE DON’TS IN DEFINING. IN THIS CASE, LO CHALLENGES PM’S DEFINITION.

CHALLENGING THE DEFINITION Go, go, LO!

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Challenging the Definition LO must clearly express in his/her speech that

he/she challenges PM’s definition, state the reasons, and provide substitute definition. “Even if” arguments will follow, except if truism was committed. Only LO challenges. No team abandons their definition. 

JUDGING 3Ms: Matter, Manner and Method

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MATTER (40%) substance of the debate, the arguments and

evidences presented, and the logical reasoning and presentation of said arguments. Responsiveness to POIs will matter. GW may introduce “New Matter” after rebuttals, but is not advised to do so. OW can’t introduce new matter, but can use new matter to rebut GW’s new matter. No new matter in replies.

MANNER (40%) the style of delivery, the persuasion skills, and

the conduct of the debaters.

METHOD (20%) The response to the dynamics of the debate,

and the observance of the rules of debate. Individual Method - the structure and organization of an individual speech; balance of the speech. Wise time management to nearly completely advance his/her case and for development (opening remarks, team stand, team split, rebuttal, own points, summary, etc.) Team Method - effectiveness of the team’s case organization and structure as a whole; equable division of speakers’ roles and responsibilities during a debate and their

Points of Information Point there.

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Points of Information These are questions or points directed to a

member of the opposing who speaks at the moment. POIs may be raised by one, two or three speakers. The speaker may accept or reject the POI offered. POIs last for 15 seconds. The speaker on the floor must respond to the POI by:  a. making gestures which indicate rejection of the POI; 

Points of Information Speakers on the floor must attempt to answer

at least two POIs.