Technical MeetingEnglish Debate CompetitionMechanical Language Club

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Mechanism of English Debate

Total battles is 7, with 30 minutes per battle

Govt Bench

Opp Bench

Opening

Half

Prime Minister

Leader of the Opposition

Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Closing Half

Govt Whip

Opposition Whip

• Four Sections :1. Opening Govrnment2. Opening Opposition3. Closing Government4. Closing Opposition

• Dividing into two benches :1. Government (Pro)2. Opposition (Conta)

• Dividing into two halves :1. Opening Half2. Closing Half

Style of debate is british parliamentary debating (3-v-3)

Detail of British Parliamentary Debating

• Speakers alternate• Each speaker speaks once (no replies)• Each speech goes for 4 minutes– 1 minute ‘protected time’ at beginning– 2 minutes in which Points of Information may be

asked– 1 minute ‘protected time’ at end

• Topics are almost always normative– ‘That this House would/should…’

Conditions During Debate• should not get in and get out from the room during debate• Knock the table or alarm will be given after 1, 3 and 4

minutes talking finish• Each team is trying to win the debate for itself• Analogy of coalition partners– On the same side of an issue, but have different points of view

(because they represent different interests)• Must be consistent with your opening team– Can ignore parts of their case if strategically burdensome– but must avoid directly contradicting opening team (‘knifing’)

Points of Information (PoIs)• A PoI is a question asked of the speaker who has the floor• PoIs are asked in middle 3 minutes of all speakers’ speeches• Can be asked by any speaker of the opposing bench

– Speaker of opposing bench offers the PoI • Points are offered by standing, adopting the appropriate

pose, and saying ‘Point of Information’ or ‘On that point’– Speaker who has the floor may decline or accept an offerred PoI – If accepted, offering speaker has 15 seconds to ask a question– Speaker who has the floor then responds to the PoI

• Speaker who has the floor may choose how many PoIs to accept, and when to do so– Should accept at least one POI and not more than three.

Speaker Roles

Prime Minister • Contextualises the motion– ‘Semi-divine right of definition’: must be a reasonable

definition not a truism• consider ‘spirit of the motion’

• Provides model• Signposts Opening Govt team’s case• Signposts own material• Presents important arguments• (Similar to a First Affirmative speaker)

Leader of the Opposition• Provides counter-model (if strategically

desirable)• Signposts Opening Opposition team’s case• Signposts own material• Presents substantive arguments• (Similar to a First Negative speaker)

Speaker Roles

Deputy Prime Minister• Rebut Leader of the Opposition• Signpost own substantive material• Provide substantive arguments• Similar to a Second Affirmative Speaker

Speaker Roles

Deputy Leader of the Opposition• Rebut Opening Government’s material• Signpost own substantive material• Provide substantive arguments• Similar to a Second Negative Speaker

Speaker Roles

Government / Opposition Whip• Rebut opposing bench’s material (strategic

decision as to who much to rebut Opening and Closing)

• Strengthen own Extension through rebuttal– No new arguments

• Summarise debate

Speaker Roles

How to Win – Adjudication Criteria

• Teams ranked first through to fourth• Debate will be decided on two things:1. Role fulfilment– Did you do your job?

2. Power and control– Did your team’s material carry weight in the

debate?– Did your team use PoIs strategically and effectively?

• Note: in BP you can win the debate without winning the argument

• Don’t forget the basics– Signposting, rebuttal, argument structure, manner

• Do your job!– Remember role fulfilment• Opening Govt: set up a good debate• Opening Opp: respond well to opening case• Closing teams: have an extension, preferably a strong

one• Make your material matter– Try to be the team bringing the best/most important

arguments to the debate

• Be in control – own the room– Even just offering PoIs (without

being accepted) can be useful• Offer PoIs wisely– Opening teams use PoIs to

bring debate back to there material

– Closing teams use PoIs to (discretely) flag their extension

• Accept PoIs from both halves of the debate

• Respond to PoIs effectively

The MotionsAlternative motion of preliminary round1. This house agree that Indonesia should censor the

internet2. This house believes that cigarette company should be

banned in Indonesia3. This house would support the moratorium on remission

for convicted corruptors4. This house believes the boy band and girl band has a

positive impact to progress of Indonesian music5. This house believe that naturalization of foreign players is

more effective to progress of the Indonesian national team

The Motions

Alternative motion of semifinals and final1. This house believes that Rhoma Irama is suit to be the

next president of Indonesia2. This house believes that english should be eliminated

from the curriculum of elementary school in Indonesia

3. This house believes that RSBI School should be eliminated in Indonesia

4. This house believes that Indonesia’s capital city “Jakarta” should be moved

• Performance ;– Gesture– Pronounciation– Expression– Attitude