Role of Speakers

So, debating is....

Reason-giving, Decision-making Not fighting, not oratory, not English

proficiency

Persuasion

So, roles are...

A way to achieve the principles of debate A guide, not rules

Persuasion Not a challenge of fact, pure comparison, but

persuading a live audience

The role of a speaker is to....

....speak

In Debating, speakers should...

Engage Each speaker must engage

the speaker before them. Do not avoid the major arguments or main issues of the debate. Offer and accept POIs

Be responsible/strategic Defend your team and main

arguments

Be dynamic Be ready to change. All the

time.

Basic speech structure...

1.Opening – Grab attention, set the tone, framing

1.Outline – preview of contents

1.Content – rebuttals/arguments/model

1.Summary – emphasize contributions

1.Closing – last impression

Basic speech structure...

1.Opening – “I am proud to be here to defend the right of children to builda better future for themselves!”1.Outline – “I will explain why the right to vote is absolutely necessary and fair in a democratic context. My teammate will discuss economics”1.Content – “Definition... My first argument.... this example shows... Yes I will take your Point... our second argument...in summary..”1.Summary – “Today I’ve shown you why the right of children to vote is necessaryand fair. It’s the only thing that gives.... and it also... “1.Closing – “Any government that cares for it’s people must care for their future.And we believe the children are the future”

Some general tips1. Guide judges – show the impact of what you are saying

“This is important because...”“My previous speaker developed this, they didn’t respond to it, it’s a problem

because....”“They didn’t show the link between this, and this means...”

2. Clear transitions – when moving from one part of your speech to another, indicate to judges

“Now that I have rebutted their two arguments, I am going to develop my positive matter..”

“..and this proves that it will cause a backlash. Now to my second argument, which is..”

3. Summarize contributions – use summaries to emphasize your contributions and clear up messy speeches

“So in my speech I showed you two things, A... and B...”“Our team has clearly argued this..... and they still haven’t shown...”

Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister

Leader of the OppositionDeputy Leader of the Opposition

Member of GovernmentGovernment Whip

Member of OppositionOpposition Whip

1st Speaker of the Opening Proposition2nd Speaker of the Opening Proposition

1st Speaker of the Closing Proposition

2nd Speaker of the Closing Proposition

1st Speaker of the Opening Opposition2nd Speaker of the Opening Opposition

1st Speaker of the Closing Opposition

2nd Speaker of the Closing Opposition

Prime Minister

Should define and create the framework for the debate

Should present the arguments central to the case of the opening government

Should be bold, brave, clear, memorable

Leader of the Opposition

Should establish the major clash from the Opposition

Should rebut the major arguments of the Prime Minister

Should present the arguments central to the case of the opening Opposition

Should be bold, dynamic, energetic

Tip – make concessions, create a clear clash, focus on big issues that will remain relevant in closing half

Deputy Prime Minister

Should engage the case provided by the Leader of Opposition. Last speaker from OG who can rebut OO, if you don’t CG will steal your glory!

Defend your Prime MinisterDevelop additional arguments

Summarize Opening Government – you are the last speaker of your team

Strategy – take a POI from the Closing Opposition to start engaging them. It might help you stay relevant in the closing half

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Should engage the case provided by the Opening Government and DPM’s arguments.

Defend your teammateDevelop additional arguments

Summarize Opening Half – position Opening Opposition strategically

Strategy – take a POI from the Closing Gov to start engaging them. They might expose their extension at this point

Member of Government/Opposition

Engage previous speaker- DLO- MG

Develop your extensionDefend your opening team

Strategy – a quick summary of the opening half will help show the relevance and uniqueness of your extensionUse POIs to create an extension or opening

Government Whip

Must take out Extension of Closing Opposition. Or attack lack of one. You are the only person in your team who can do this.

Rebut and destroy! Attack main issues of clash, not the time to develop new ideas.

Go for the bench or closing half or diagonal depending on how you summarize and engage teams.

Summarize and show contributions of Closing Government. Defend your extension, make it gold.

Opposition Whip

Last speaker of the debate, try to take a holistic big picture view of the debate.

Defend your extension. Strategically summarize and engage issues in the debate, to keep your team and your extension in the top two teams of the debate.

Rebut and destroy! Attack main issues of clash, not the time to develop new ideas.

Opening0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7.15

Definition and Setup

Arguments

Summary and Closing

OpeningResponse to Motion

Rebuttals

Summary and Closing

Arguments

Prime MinisterLeader of the Opposition

Opening0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7.15

Defend Team

Rebuttals

Summary and Closing

Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of

the Opposition

Positive Contribution

Arguments

OpeningDefend Team

Rebuttals

Summary and Closing

Positive Contribution

Arguments

Opening0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7.15

Summarize Opening

Summary and Closing

Member of Government Member of

Opposition

Respond to OO

Provide Extension

OpeningSummarize Opening

Summary and Closing

Respond to CG and to to a lesser extent OG

Provide Extension

Opening0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7.15

Defend your extension

Summary and Closing

Government Whip Opposition Whip

Respond to CO extension

Rebut ideas and majorclash point of debate

Opening

Defend your extension

Summary and Closing

Respond to CO extension

Rebut ideas and majorclash point of debate

The role of a speaker is to....?

entertain

persuade

argue

refute

offer POIs

defendbe passionate

summarize

preview

listenaccept POIs

frame

engage

....within 7 minutes...

The role of a speaker is to....?

....speak with purpose