Debate Rules

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE Debate – talk or argue something, think about something, talk about something at length and in detailed, especially as part of formal exchange of opinion. Game of the intellectuals. Debaters are expected to possess: 1. breadth of knowledge 2. quick wit 3. clear and straight-to-the-point arguments 4. logical analysis 5. common sense

2. Thematic definition – it requires that the theme of the motion be identified and be made the central issue of the debate. This is applicable to metaphorical debate. Definitional challenge There are four instances when the need for a definitional challenge arises: 1. when the definition is tautological; 2. when the definition is squirreled; 3. when the definition places the debate in a particular time and/ or place; 4. when the definition is truism.

Procedures In parliamentary debates, the house is divided into Government and Opposition. The leader of the government is called the Prime minister; the second speaker is called the deputy prime minister. On the other side the opposition first speaker is called the Leader of the opposition. The second speaker is called the deputy leader of the opposition. The third speaker of both sides are called rebuttal or whip speakers. Team Roles The Government It is the duty of the government to give a reasonably debatable definition to the given motion at a level understandable to the AVERAGE REASONABLE PERSON. It is the government’s duty to define the motion in such a way that the opposition is given an ample space to promote a reasonable clash. Finally, it is the duty of the government to forward a case that will be faithful to spirit of the motion, and to rebut the case presented to the House by the Opposition. The Opposition The primary duties of the opposition are to clash with the case forwarded by the government and to present a case that will discredit the government’s arguments. Setting Parameter The parameter in a parliamentary debate includes at least four elements: (1) the definition; (2) the link; (3) the theme; and (4) the team split. How to define? Definitions should be consistent with the spirit of the given motion.

1. Word for word definition – is based on giving the meaning of only the significant word in the motion

Tautological definitions – from the meaning of the word, arise when a debater uses the meaning of the motion to argue for the motion. Squirreled definitions – the debater takes the motion and scurries away with a definition totally out of the spirit of the motion. Time-Placed Setting – a debate cannot be focused on a particular time, especially if it happened in the past, or on a particular place that no one ven knows exists. Truisms – one cannot debate on anything that is true. The truth value of any given motion is gauged by empirical evidence and commonly accepted knowledge. How to challenge the definition? 1. The LO should state explicitly and as soon as possible that they are challenging the motion. 2. The LO should forward his own definition to the motion. 3. The LO should state briefly why they challenge the definition. Although challenging the definition has the at times been proven useful in debates, the options should try to challenge should be taken as the last one. The opposition should try to avoid challenging the definitions as much as possible.

Speaker Roles

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The Prime Minister - give a reasonable definition to the motion understandable to the Average Reasonable Person and avoid truistic, tautological, squirreled, and time-placed definitions; - link the definition to a debatable topic; - give the theme of the case and identify the track along which the government will tackle its case; - give the Team Split - prove his case by giving one or two arguments, several examples to prove the arguments; - signpost the second speaker to prepare the adjudicators for the second half of their case.

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The Leader of the Opposition - raise the necessary questions that arise out of the definition, the parameters, and the split; - rebut the arguments forwarded by the PM; - negate the case of the government; - set up the Opposition’s case by giving the theme, explaining the method by which the case will be proven, and stating the necessary disclaimers that will be useful in the oppositions attack; - state the split - Argue and prove his side of the case by giving one or two arguments, several examples to back up the arguments. - Signpost his second speaker to prepare the adjudicators for the second half of the case. The Deputy Prime Minister - rebuild the case of the government in case of damage caused by the LO’s questioning and rebuttal; - Rebut the arguments forwarded by the LO; - Remind the House of the government’s theme by restating it and further explaining it. - Build his part of the case by presenting two to three arguments, several examples to prove the arguments. - Summarize his case The Deputy Leader of the Opposition - rebuild the case of the LO in case of damage caused by the DPM’s case and rebuttal;

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rebut the arguments presented by the DPM; build his case by presenting two to three arguments, several examples to prove the arguments. Summarize his case

The Rebuttal/ Whip Speakers The Rebuttal speakers are considered to be both the clean-up and demolitions “experts” of either team. It is their foremost responsibility to “lay ashes” the entire case of the opposing side. -

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Give a point by point rebuttal of each speech made by the opposing side. Make sure that the premises which serve as the foundations of the other side’s case are adequately dissected and invalidated; Make sure that every damaging example forwarded by the other team is discredited; Rebuild his side’s case by reiterating every major point and providing fresh examples to further prove their arguments; and Provide closure to the debate.

The Reply Speakers The reply speech is a biased adjudication of the entire debate. Judging Criteria Matter Valid arguments, in-depth analysis of the issue in the debate, employment of examples relevant to the case, timeless and relevance of POI’s and through rebuttal. The overall matter accounts fifty percent of the total score of the team. Manner The conduct by which the speech was delivered, the gestures, the facial expressions, the rise and tone of the voice, the use of appropriate words, and the overall credibility of the speaker. Manner also accounts for fifty percent of the total score of the team. Method The logical organization of ideas, the clear presentation of arguments and examples, the unity in content and delivery of individual speakers, and consistency of the team as a whole.