A Briefing For BP Debate

1. Prepared by Jason Hong, David Miko and the University of Calgary Debate Society A Briefing For BP Debate A Comprehensive Introduction To British Parliamentary Debate

2. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank You for Coming! First and Most Importantly

3. Tournament Notes • Name of Tournament • # of Rounds • Open/Closed Adjudication

4. So, how about BP? This Brief Presentation Will Cover Five Talking Points That Will Train You To Be Great. Prepared by the CA Panel of the 2008 CSDF National Seminar Edited by the CA of the UCDS HS BP Tournament, 2010 & 2011

5. British Parliamentary Style

6. What’s the Difference? • There are 4 teams in one round • Teams are Ranked 1 through 4 • Decisions Are Made by Consensus

7. The Order of The Debate Understanding the proceedings of the debate is key to understanding BP debate. The basic structure of all debates remains consistent and is very simple. Opening Proposition Opening Opposition 1st Speaker Prime Minister Leader of Opposition 1st Speaker 2nd Speaker Deputy PM Deputy LO 2nd Speaker Closing Proposition Closing Opposition Member of Crown 1st Speaker Member of Opp 1st Speaker 2nd Speaker Proposition Whip Opposition Whip 2nd Speaker

8. Role of Each Team

9. Opening Government • Defines the Terms of the Debate • If necessary introduce a model • Opens the Case for the Government • Opposes the case of the Opening Opposition when it is presented

10. Opening Opposition • Opposes the case of the Opening Government • Opens the Case for the Opposition • (Definition Challenge)

11. Closing Government • Extends the Government Case • Opposes the cases of the Opening and Closing Opposition teams • Summarizes the debate

12. Closing Opposition • Extends the Opposition Case • Opposes the cases of the Opening and Closing Opposition teams • Summarizes the debate

13. Role of Each Debater

14. Prime Minister • Defines the Resolution • Presents a Model • Introduces the Government Case

15. Models • Models or plans are used to determine how the team is going to take the action they are advocating • Not always necessary • Are useful in defining the pragmatics of the case • Does not need to address • Funding • Timelines • Legislative information • Only deals with how in an ideal world the Government would follow through

16. Leader of the Opposition • Refutes what PM said • Introduces the Opposition Case • Possible Definitional Challenge

17. Deputy Prime Minister • Refutes what LO Said • Continues the Government Case • Sums up the Debate thus far

18. Deputy LO • Refute what the DPM said • Continues the Opposition Case • Summarizes the debate thus far

19. Member of the Crown • Refutes the DLO / Opening Opposition (limited) • Introduces the Government Extension Member of the Opposition • Refutes Government Extension • Introduces Opposition Extension

20. What is an extension? • New or Distinct Material • Not Contradictory (knifing) • New Argumentation • New Analysis • Detailed – Stand-alone Case • Can Be Radical and Change the tone of the debate

21. Government Whip • Refutes the Opposition Extension • Summarizes the Debate • (New contentions may be introduced, but not recommended)

22. Opposition Whip • Refutes the Closing Government (GW) • Summarizes the debate • (No new contentions may be introduced)

23. What is a Whip Speech? • Primary goal of a Whip is to summarize the round • Should not be a chronological summary of the debate • “He said, she said” etc • Summary should focus on themes, questions, or actors • Highlight the overarching concepts of the round • Does not need to cover everything, but must cover everything that is important • Strong Whips will prove the extension to be the winning point in the round

24. Role of a Judge

25. The role of the judge revolves around some simple, core aspects The Role of the Judge

26. The Decision - rankings • Role Fulfillment • Argumentation • Clash • Manner

27. Role Fulfillment Opening Proposition Provides a Clear and Fair Model Is Responsible for Messiness of Debate Staying Relevant Prime Minister Personally Responsible for Definitions Case Construction Opening Opposition Effectively Deals with Proposition Case Puts Forwards Important Arguments Staying Relevant Leader of the Opposition Personally Responsible Introducing Case Responsible for First Line of Clash Deputy Prime Minister Personally Responsible for Laying out Clash Case Completion Deputy Prime Minister Personally Responsible for Doing All Clash Case Completion Closing Proposition Provides a Strong, Distinct Extension Effectively Clashes Planting Flag Summation Speech Member of the Crown Personally Responsible for Extension Proper Clash Closing Opposition Provides a Strong, Distinct Extension Effectively Clashes Planting Flag Summation Speech Member of the Opposition Personally Responsible for Extension Proper Clash Proposition Whip Personally Responsible for the Quality of Summation Speech Opposition Whip Personally Responsible for the Quality of Summation Speech

28. Argumentation • When judging teams on argumentation there are two criteria: • Structure of arguments • Clear, concise, easy to understand, logical • Content of the arguments • Factually strong, well supported with evidence, valid arguments

29. Clash • When judging teams on clash the criteria is the same as arguments: • Structure of clash • Clear, concise, easy to understand, logical • Content of the clash • Factually strong, well supported with evidence, valid clash

30. Manner • Least important in BP in regards to the Rankings • Should be used as a last resort for deciding winners • Manner is the way in which debaters spoke • Relevant for their Individual Speaker Points • Well organized, well spoken, and well presented

31. Adjudication Process • At the end of the round everyone but the judges leave the room • Judges take a minute or two to review notes and form your own initial impression of rankings. • Take five minutes to discuss with each other and finalize rankings, and agree on a clear reason for decision. • Fill out ballots with rankings. • Take two minutes to fill in your own speaker scores.

32. Scoring Please refer to the backside of your ballot Minimum Score : 67 Average Score : 70 Maximum Score : 73 67 – Poor 68 – Work Needed 69 – Satisfactory 70 – Average 71 – Good 72 – Excellent 73 – Exceptional Matter 27-29 The content of the debate including: argumentation, examples, logic, clash and reasoning. 28 Average Manner 27-29 How the debater presented the speech – the verbal and non verbal communication that made the speech effective or not effective. 28 Average Strategy 13-15 Use of the style, points of information, structure of speeches including time, strategic placements of clash and arguments. 14 Average

33. Feedback • End of the Round • Focus on why teams were ranked where they were ranked • Individual comments can occur at a later time (unless time permits)

34. Other Important Stuff

35. Points of Information • Also a component of strategy • Used to ask questions in the middle of speeches • Pertinent • Should illustrate a flaw in the other teams arguments, or reposition one of their own arguments • Short, and Clear

36. Points of Clarification • May be asked near the beginning of the Prime Minister’s speech. • A non-partisan question seeking clarification of the definitions, model, or other context-providing point. • Should be short and to the point as it’s being accepted as a courtesy. • Should be accepted if offered.

37. Dealing with personal knowledge & Bias • Important that you ignore this as best you can. • Judges should be a blank, neutral slate. • If you know something is wrong, you basically have to accept it anyway if it goes unchallenged.

38. Impacting Statements S tatement E xample E xplanation • Substantiates arguments • Provides more evidence for the judges • Makes your points harder to bring down • Wins debates

39. Questions?