Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

Introduction to British Parliamentary Debate

China Debate Education Network:

Presented by

Liu Xin（ＳＣＵＥＣ )

Xu Min（ＨＢＵＥ）Derek Buescher（ Puget Sound）

Focus for this Presentation

Part I: Introduction

Part II: What is the British Parliamentary debate Format

Introduction

Why we debate in general

Why we debate in educational settings in particular

Why We Debate in General?

People in the debate communities learn skills

--- to improve everyday lives

--- to become good citizens

--- to adapt skills of debate to other venues

Why We Debate in Educational Settings in Particular

-- to expand knowledge

-- to hone public speaking skills

-- to learn to engage critical thinking

-- to gain skills for a dynamic citizenry

-- to argue as ethical communicators

British Parliamentary Debate Format

I. Teams and Motions

II. Order of Speeches & Speaker Titles

III. Timing & POI

IV. Speaker Roles & Responsibilities

V. How your debate will be evaluated

Motions

-- Motions: For & Against

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

Examples of Motions 1. This House believes that College students should have part-time jobs.

2. The Younger Generation Knows Best.

3. China should ban tobacco products.

4. Money is the Most Important Thing in Life.

5. This House believes thatWomen should earn equal pay for equal work.

6. It is a Good Thing to Live in a Modern City.

7. China should institute real estate price tighening in second-tier cities.

8. Cars do more Harm than Good.

Procedure for Each Debate

Positions of teams are posted on the “draw.”

Motions announcement to all teams

15-30 minutes preparation

Teams of the same side do not prepare with one another, nor can they consult their teammates or teachers

Debate begins

Four Teams Teams Members:

4 Teams --- 8 Debaters

Upper House --- Lower House

Government:

Supporting Motion

2 upper Government Speakers

2 lower Government Speakers

Opposition:

Arguing against Motion

2 upper opposition Speakers

2 lower opposition Speakers

Upper House

Government Opposition

For Motion

Against

Lower House

Names of Speakers Upper House (Opening)

Prime Minister

Leader of the Opposition

Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Lower House (Closing)

Member of Government

Member of Opposition

Government Whip

Opposition Whip

Upper House (Opening)

PM LO

DPM DLO

MG MO

GW OW

Lower House (Closing)

Order of Speakers Upper House (Opening)

Prime Minister, 1st Government Team

Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition Team

Deputy Prime Minister, 1st Government Team

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition Team

Lower House (Closing)

Member of Government, 2nd Government Team

Member of Opposition, 2nd Opposition Team

Government Whip, 2nd Government Team

Opposition Whip, 2nd Opposition Team

Upper House (Opening)

PM LO

DPM DLO

MG MO

GW OW

Lower House (Closing)

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”

NO POI --- protected time (the first and the last minute);

Time --- 15 seconds or less

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

Speaker Roles and Responsibilities

1st Speaker -- Prime Minister

--- Defines and interprets the motion

--- Develops a case for the proposition in support of the motion

Upper House

2nd Speaker: Leader of Opposition

-- Accepts the definition of the motioin

-- 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

-- Defends the general thesis of the first Government’s case

-- Refutes the case of the first opposition

-- Rebuilds the case of the first Government

-- May add new arguments to the case of the first Government

Upper House

4th Speaker – Deputy Leader of Opposition

-- Continues refutation of case of 1st Government

-- Rebuilds arguments of the 1st opposition.

-- May add new arguments 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

-- 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

-- Defends the general direction taken by the 1st opposition

-- Continues general refutation of 1st proposition case

-- Provides more specific refutation of 2nd proposition

-- Provides new opposition extension.Lower House

7th Speaker – Government Whip

--- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the proposition

--- 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 the opposition

--- Defends the general view point of both opposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 2nd opposition.

--- Does not provide new arguments.Lower House

How You Will Be Evaluated and Adjudicated

In general, you will be evaluated on the strength of your arguments.

Although your speaking ability influences how adjudicators respond to your arguments, they still will focus on the

Usually a panel of adjudicators although sometimes a single one

An odd number of panel, usually 3 members

One Chairperson/Speaker (designated by the organizers)

--- This person will introduce and manage the debate

--- This person also announce the result & comment on the whole debate

Summary

Part I: Introduction

Part II: What is the British Parliamentary debate Format