OMS INSIGHTS
Parliamentary
Debate
FORMAT
(RULES AND PROCEDURES)
Introduction
 Parliamentary Debate is the most popular style of
debating in the world
 We use the 6 person format
 4 basic categories of rules include:
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# of teams & debaters
Order of speeches
Time limits
Decision-making procedure
2 Teams
 Proposition—3 members
 Makes the case
 Opens the debate w/ 1st speech
 Has the burden of proof
 Closes the debate w/ 6th speech
 Opposition—3 members
 Opposes the proposition
(argues against proposition’s support)
Proposition
 Supports motion (argues for proposition, topic,
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resolution)
Opens debate
Interprets the topic
Goal is to prove motion is more true than false
Closes debate
Opposition
 Opposes proposition team
 Argues against prop’s support for motion
 Goal is to prevent prop from proving motion is
more true than false
Order of Speeches
 6 speeches
4 constructive
constructs arguments for each side &
responds to arguments from the other side
establishes core arguments for each
team’s side of the topic
2 rebuttal
summarizes major arguments for each
side and proposes reasons why each team should
win debate
Speeches, cont.
 1st Proposition Constructive
 1st Opposition Constructive
 2nd Proposition Constructive
 2nd Opposition Constructive
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
*POIs are allowed during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches
 Opposition Rebuttal
 Proposition Rebuttal
*No POIs are allowed during rebuttal speeches
3 minutes
3 minutes
Terminology & Times
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Hold the Floor
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Debater who is currently speaking
The ability to speak without being “out of order”
Out of Order
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`speaking out of turn
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Point of Information (POI)
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A question or statement offered by a debater who does not currently “hold the floor”
Only made by the team not currently speaking
Must be recognized (called on) to speak before beginning
Allowed only during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches
Allowed 15 seconds only
Protected Time
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Time during which POIs may not be attempted
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1st and last minute of each constructive speech
Both rebuttal speeches
Timekeeper
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Official who keeps track of
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Not waiting to be recognized
Attempting to make a POI during Protected Time
preparation time
speakers’
POIs
protected time
Notes time changes with an audible “knock” and/or with hand signals/cards
Prep Time & Notes
 Generally 15 minutes to prepare
 Notes are vital since
 No published material (printouts from earlier research) is
allowed during debate
 Most “quoted” evidence is not allowed
 Only prep time notes & notes written during
debate may be used
 Debaters must accurately communicate facts
based on their knowledge & prior research to
the audience, judge, and other team
Speaker responsibilities
 Constructive speeches build arguments for
prop and opp
 Rebuttal speeches are an opportunity to
contrast main lines of argument of the prop &
opp
 All speakers are responsible for
Effective presentation
 Defense
 Refutation
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1st proposition constructive
(1st prop)
 Makes a case for the proposition
 offers 3-4 arguments w/ supporting evidence providing logical proof
that the motion is more true than false
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Uses enough reasons & examples to make concise, complete, &
compelling arguments for each argument
 Interprets the topic
 defines any unclear terms/clarifies foundation of argument
 May offer a brief history of topic
 helpful b/c provides judge & audience with the same background
info
 Offers a summary showing how these arguments prove the
proposition
General refutation tactics
(can be used by both sides)
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Provides clash
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When 2 arguments directly oppose each other
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Undermines prop’s logic
Argues topic doesn’t hold (can’t be proven)
Uses direct and indirect refutation
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Direct refutation
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Refutes the main points of the case
Critically evaluates the 1st prop’s agruments
Points out inconsistencies, gaps in logic, argument fallacies, improper causal chains, & exaggerated claims
Offers counters to prop’s examples
Indirect argumentation
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Involves issues that are not formally included in the prop’s case
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Uses related topics, not specifically mentioned by prop
A combo of both is the most effective
Strategic agreement
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Opposition does not have to disagree with everything Prop says
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Strategic agreement is when the opp agrees with the prop
Helps opp remove arguments that would be hard to win
Helps opp focus on critical points they need
1st opposition constructive
(1st opp)
 Accounts for all major prop arguments
 Uses a formal, professional manner
 1st
impression communicates to judge that the opp team has a
strong strategy
Identifies points of agreement
 Relocates core issues
 Directly/indirectly disputes prop’s claims
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 Identifies and addresses 2-3 major lines of
argument against prop
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Ex. (using direct ref.) the 1st opp attacks 2 core prop
issues & (using indir. ref.) introduces a new argument not
mentioned in the prop’s opening speech
2nd proposition constructive
(2nd prop)
 Last opportunity to introduce new arguments
 Immediately precedes opposition block
 Must convincingly prove prop’s case
 Reestablishes principles of the prop’s case
 Briefly summarizes 1st prop’s arguments, specifically & in order
 Amplifies opening presentation
 Supplements 1st prop’s reasoning
 Provides additional examples
 Answers all opp’s major objections/arguments
 Uses refutation of opp arguments to further expand prop case
 Summarizes debate & explains why prop should win
Opposition block
 2nd opposition constructive speech
 Opposition rebuttal speech
Back to back opposition speeches allow for 8
consecutive minutes to advance the
opposition’s arguments
This can be a serious assault on the proposition—
especially if the 2nd prop or the prop rebuttal
speakers do not convincingly prove their case.
2nd constructive opposition
(2nd opp)
 Final constructive speech for opp
 May continue 1st opp’s objections
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Presents new arguments--last chance—but do this carefully—
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Expands arguments
opp will not get a chance to refute any attacks on these by prop rebuttal
Too many new arguments (or too much expansion) can lessen
effectiveness
Evaluates inconsistencies between 1st & 2nd props
 Summarizes issues effectively
 Explains impact of each argument carefully
 Impact—the way an argument plays a decisive role in the outcome of
a debate (refutation’s “therefore” step)
Opposition rebuttal
 Opp summary speech
 No new arguments
 Contrasts main lines of arguments
 Chooses 2-4 most critical issues which might tip debate
towards opp & focuses attention on them
 Explains why opp should win
Proposition rebuttal
 Final speech
 Summarizes entire debate
 Extends constructive prop arguments
 Answers major opp arguments
 May also answer any new arguments made by 2nd
opp (since this is the 1st chance prop has to refute them)
 Offers multiple independent proofs of topic to
increase probability of victory
 Explains why prop should win
Debate Order, again
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1st Proposition Constructive
1st Opposition Constructive
2nd Proposition Constructive
2nd Opposition Constructive
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
5 minutes*
*POIs are allowed during the middle 3 minutes of constructive speeches
 Opposition Rebuttal
 Proposition Rebuttal
3 minutes
3 minutes
*No POIs are allowed during rebuttal speeches
Following Prop Rebuttal
 JUDGE’S DECISION
 SHAKE HANDS WITH YOUR OPPONENTS
 ENJOY YOUR BREAK!