Parliamentary Debate Orientation Stoa Speech & Debate 2010-2011

1. Parliamentary Debate OrientationStoa Speech & Debate2010-2011

2. Volunteers make it Happen! • We can’t do this without you • You are making an investment • You are performing a teaching role in the lives of our students • YOU make it possible for young people to learn these skills

3. Qualifications for Judging • You already participate in communication activities • It is the speaker’s job to communicate with you • It is not your job to be a debate expert before coming • Our goal is for our students to speak to • “the thinking man and woman on the street” • That’s You! 

4. Debating the Resolution • Two opposing teams argue an idea • Government (upholds the Resolution) • Opposition (opposes the Resolution) • Debaters alternate sides during the course of the tournament

5. How Parli is DIFFERENT • A different resolution is used for each round of debate • There are different types of resolutions • Literal or Metaphorical Language • Value, Fact, or Policy • Topics range from current events, domestic and international issues, politics and philosophy • It is up to the two teams to interpret and explain the resolution • Students are given “prep time” prior to the debate • Allowed to access resources • Can bring handwritten notes into the round

6. Parli Format • Four debaters, two on each side • Government • Prime Minister (PM) • Member of the Government (MG) • Opposition • Leader of the Opposition (LO) • Member of the Opposition (MO) • The first speaker for each side speaks twice, the second speaker for each side speaks once • Round lasts up to 38 minutes

7. Parli Format • Debaters may only use notes handwritten during prep time and the round • “common knowledge” argumentation support • The use of quoted evidence or printed materials is forbidden • No electronic devices in the round • Speeches with “points of information” and “points of order”

8. Debate Vocabulary • The debaters are responsible for making their ideas clear to the judge, including: • Debate Theory • Organization of the Round • Details of the Topic

9. Role of the Judge • Listen to the debate • Avoid personal bias • Reach a conclusion & cast a vote (for Government or Opposition) • Provide written feedback on the ballot • Judges and observers are allowed to provide audible feedback respectfully during the round • “Hear, hear!” • “Jolly good!” • Debaters should not be “drowned out”

10. Role of the Judge • DON’T: • Replace the debater’s interpretation of the resolution with your own • Don’t become a 3rd team in the room • Interrupt or question the debaters • Extend a speaker’s time

11. What to Expect • Number of Judges: • One judge in prelims • 3 or more judges in elimination rounds • Timekeeping • Debaters may keep time among themselves …or… • The tournament may provide a timekeeper • “Debater’s Greeting” • Debaters may ask you for your judging philosophy

12. Before the Round Begins • The ballot has space for the four names of the debaters – fill these in before the round starts! • First Government speaker – “Prime Minister” • Second Government speaker – “Member of Government” • First Opposition speaker – “Leader of Opposition” • Second Opposition speaker – “Member of Opposition”

13. Round Structure • Order and Timing of Speeches • 7 min. Prime Minister’s Constructive • 7 min. Leader of Opposition’s Constructive • 7 min. Member of Government Constructive • 7 min. Member of Opposition Constructive • 5 min. Leader of Opposition’s Rebuttal • 5 min. Prime Minister’s Rebuttal • In Parli, there is NO PREP TIME between speeches!

14. “Points of Information & Order” • Non-speaker from the other team may rise: • Seeking recognition for Point of Information (POI) • Raising Point of Order by stating “Point of Order” • Speaker chooses to recognize POI or not • Points of Order do not require the speaker’s recognition • Non-speaker poses a brief question or statement • 15 secs or less • Disallowed during “protected time” • First and last minute of each speech

15. Flowing = Note Taking System • Flowing • Organizes the ideas in the round • Use flowsheet or plain paper • Just a tool • Not to be turned in • The right note taking system is the one which allows you to: • Absorb the presentation • Reach a conclusion & cast a vote • Give the debaters written feedback

16. When the round is over… • Don’t disclose your decision • Don’t solicit opinions about the round from other observers in the room. • Immediately following round, take your ballot to the designated area for completion.

17. The Ballot

18. Filling Out the Ballot • Two Independent Decisions: • Vote for Government or Opposition • Reward individual speaking ability • Set aside personal bias/opinion

19. The Ballot: Reason For Decision • Provide Written Feedback to the DEBATERS! • Your teaching investment in our students • Set aside personal bias/opinion • Use the debater’s interpretation of the resolution • Judge round based upon issues discussed in the round • Don’t become a 3rd debate team in the room • Decide based on how well each side argues for their position • Double Loss = disciplinary only

20. The Ballot: Speaker Points Evaluate the Speakers: 1. Write comments 2. Total Speaker Points 3. Rank speakers

21. The Ballot: Speaker Rank • Speaker points determine rank • Speaker points may be tied • Break ties with rank • Lower speaker points may win round

22. THANK YOU!