A B D U R RA H M A N , M . P D

SUMMARY OF DEBATE

DEFINITION

To defend on one side to the other one by convincing adjudicators and audience in certain systematic, methodic, and logical ways.

• Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary• Parliamentary debates allow Points of

Information (POI) while Non-Parliamentary debates do not.

• Asian/ Australasian• 3 members to a team• POIS are allowed.

• British Parliamentary (World Debates)• 2 member to team and 4 teams in a

debate• POIs are allowed

DIFFERENT FORMATS OF DEBATES

A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF:

1. Matter:What you present (i.e. the content)

2. Manner:How you present (i.e. the style)

3. Method:Organisation/ structure of your presentation

ELEMENTS OF MATTER1. Definitions:

- Set up of the debate2. Arguments:

- Must be logical- Must be relevant

3. Evidences:- Must be relevant- Evidential value (strength)

4. Rebuttals:- Must be logical- Must be relevant- Must be prompt

ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE• Respectable attitude towards the judges and the other team.• Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace, intonation etc.• Use of notes: not to read a written text.• Eye contact.• Body language: hand gestures, pacing, standing etc.• Impression of sincerity.• Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy sarcasm.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD- Team structure

- Continuity of team’s theme in all the speeches.- Consistency among all the speakers (no

contradictions)- Reinforcement of team members' arguments- Clear & logical separation between arguments.

- Individual Structure- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.- Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.- Organisation of rebuttals.- Appropriate timing of the speech- Summary of the speech.

- Responses to the dynamics of the debate- Right thing at the right time. - Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the debate, and to re-act accordingly.

DEFINING A TOPIC

• Explain the key-words in the topic.

• Identify what you want to prove and what is your stand. This is called the theme of your team.

• If there is a measurement involved, set up the yardstick or criteria for such measurement.

RULES OF DEFINITION

• It must bear a close relation to the motion.• It must not be truistic.• It must not employ time or place setting.• It must not be based on overly specific knowledge

Characteristics of a Proper Definition:

• Literal with key-words definition. • Metaphorical definition.• Issue based &/or specified definition (different

from time-place setting).

Kinds of Definitions:

• You can only challenge a definition if it violates any of the criteria stated earlier. Frequently used terms in challenging definitions are: wholly unreasonable, squirrel, time-place set, truistic.

• You cannot challenge a definition simply because you have a more reasonable or better definition.

Grounds for Challenge:

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION• Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not

later. • Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative

definition.• In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if’

argument. • An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g.

truistic definition & definition running counter to the resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the opposition’s case).

• In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue the following:

• Why challenge?• Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.• Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the

weaknesses of their case.• Positive case under their own definition.

• First, identify what you have to prove under the topic.• Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put them in the format of an argument or a set of arguments.• Not everything that you know on the subject is relevant.• Anticipate the questions that may be raised against your arguments and see if you have good answers to them.• Block the opportunity for those questions to be raised by addressing them briefly as you explain the argument.• Present the arguments in order of their strength.• Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be rational.

GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS

• Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of the argument of the other side. Only then contrary examples can be supplemented.

• It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to each argument of the other side.

• Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your case.

• Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other side in order to defend your case.

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALSAttacks

(R ebut the Argum ents)D efence

(R ebut the R ebutta ls)

Rebutta ls

PROPOSITION/GOVERNMENT:

TEAMS’ ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS

To support the motion which involves:• Defining the

motion,• Constructing a

positive case in favour of the motion,

• Providing substantive materials and arguments in support of the case,

• Responding to any challenges made to that case by the Opposition.

OPPOSITION:

To negate the motion which involves:

Responding to the Government's definition, Constructing a case in opposition to the motion, Providing substantive material and arguments in support of the (opposition) case, Responding to the arguments delivered by the Government.

• 1st Speaker /Prime Minister • Defines the topic.• Gives the case structure and theme.• Presents own arguments.• Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).

• 2nd Speaker• Rebuts. • Reiterates and defends his first speaker’s arguments.• Presents own argument.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• 3rd Speaker• Rebuts substantially.• Reiterates and defends his own team's case.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• Reply Speaker• Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the debate proving why his team’s case stands

SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALSPROPOSITION/ GOVERNMENT:

• 1st Speaker /Opposition Leader• Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects or Clarifies).• Rebuts the Prime Minister’s arguments.• Gives the case structure and theme of his team.• Presents own arguments.• Provides a summary of his speech.

• 2nd Speaker• Same as the proposition 2nd speaker

• 3rd Speaker• Same as the proposition 3rd speaker

• Reply Speaker• Same as the proposition reply speaker

OPPOSITION:

SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS

POINTS OF INFORMATION (POI)

• A POI can be in a question or statement form and should not take more than 15 seconds.

• Each speaker should accept at least two POIs.

• All three members of the team should try to give POIs, but they must not be disruptive.

• POIs are judged on the basis of:- the threat they pose to the strength of the

argument of the debater.- value of its wit and humour.

• Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis of:• promptness and confidence in answering.• strength of the response.• value of wit and humour in the response.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day #1Understanding a motion together with your debaters. Remember the key words in the motion.Finding the benefits/advantages and disadvantages of the issue behind the motionDiscussing them by providing logical reasons

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 2Reviewing logical reasonsAdding facts/data/information to your logical reasonsExplaining in one-elaborated speech where there should be benefits followed by logical reasons and facts/data/info. One point of the benefits should be elaborated in this way.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 3Returning to the motion and explaining about basic premise of key words.Asking your debaters to find basic premises of some key words.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 4Learning to make a good definition.Learning to make a good mechanism (for THW motion only) Learning the role of speakers in a debate team.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES

Day # 5Practicing a debate battle. You act as the adjudicator.Giving your verbal adjudication.Giving suggestions for better improvements in the next battle.