Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

China Debate Education Network: Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

Introduction to BP Debate • Procedures of BP Debate • BP debate format

Procedure for Each Debate • The Draw • Motion For Debate • Preparation time • Timing

The Draw

Motion For Debate • A motion is a statement provided by the Tournament Director that will become the subject of the debate. A motion is sometimes called a debate topic, a resolution, or a proposition. • Examples • PRC should create wireless cities. • Israel should change its policies toward Palestinians • Mohandas Gandhi was one of the world’s greatest leaders

Preparation Time • Each team has 15 – 30 minutes (depending on the tournament) after the announcement of the motion prepare. • Teams can consult printed materials but may not use the internet or computers. • Teams cannot prepare with one another. • Teams cannot receive assistance from their teacher or coach.

Timing • 7 minutes for each speech • Protected Time: First and last minute • A single knock on table or sounding of a bell announces protected time • double knock or bell signals the end of your speech. • Your speeches will be timed by a timekeeper or by the judge

BP Debate Format • Four Teams • Speaker Roles and Responsibilities

The Four Teams and Eight Speakers Lower House Upper House Prime Minister Leader of Opposition Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of Opposition Member of Government Member of Opposition Government Whip Opposition Whip

Refutation and Points of Information • Refutation • Definition of refutation • Deciding what to refute • Four-step refutation • Points of Information

Refutation involves one debater directly responding to an argument of an opposing debater Refutation involves a debater objecting to an argument raised by someone on the other side Definition of Refutation

Deciding What to Refute Can’t refute everything Don’t focus on arguments that are the easiest to refute Focus on important arguments Focus on arguments essential to the opposing speaker’s case Focus on arguments that prevent you from making your own case

Four-Step Refutation Process 1. “They say…” (identify the target argument you will be refuting) 2. “But I say…” (state the claim of your own refutation) 3. “Because…” (provide support for your refutation) 4. “Therefore…” (explain why the argument is important to the debate)

Four-Step Refutation Process Opposing Argument: “They said. . .” “But I say. . . “Because. . .” “Therefore. . .”

Points of Information • POI --- Point of Information Who --- a member of an opposing team; What --- comments, statement, question…; How to offer --- by rising and extending hand or by saying “on that point, Sir/Madam” • NOPOI --- protected time (the first and the last minute); • Time --- 15 seconds or less

Speaker Roles and Responsibilities Lower House Upper House Prime Minister Leader of Opposition Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of Opposition Member of Government Member of Opposition Government Whip Opposition Whip

1st Speaker -- Prime Minister --- Defines and interprets the motion Defining ambiguous terms Interpreting focuses the motion so it is clear and debatable --- Develops a case for the proposition in support of the motion --- Case should consist of one or more arguments supporting the PM’s interpretation of the motion --- Case must be prima facie—strong enough to be accepted on “its first face.” Upper House

2nd Speaker: Leader of Opposition • -- Refutes the case of the first Government • -- Construct one or more arguments against the Prime Minister's interpretation of the motion Upper House

3rd Speaker -- Deputy Prime Minister • -- Refutes the case of the first opposition • -- Rebuilds the case of the first Government • -- Adds one or more new arguments to the case of the first Government Upper House

4th Speaker – Deputy Leader of Opposition • -- Continues refutation of case of 1stGovernment with emphasis on any new arguments introduced by the DPM • -- Rebuilds arguments of the 1st opposition. • -- Adds newarguments to the case of the 1st opposition. Upper House

5th Speaker – Member of Government • --Defends the general direction and case of the 1st Government • -- Continues refutation of 1st opposition arguments • -- Develops a new argument that is different from but consitent with the case of the 1st Government (frequently called an extension) Lower House

6th Speaker – Member of Opposition • -- Very briefly defends the general direction taken by the 1st opposition • -- Very briefly continues general refutation of 1st proposition case • -- Provides more specific refutation of the MG extension. • -- Develops an opposition extension. Lower House

7th Speaker – Government Whip • --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of theproposition • --- Defends the general view point of both proposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 2nd proposition. • --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

8th Speaker – Opposition Whip • --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of theopposition • --- Defends the general view point of both opposition teams with a special eye toward the argument of the MO. • --- Does not provide new arguments. Lower House

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Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate