Crash Course 101
Parliamentary Debating
What is a debate?
Debate is a competitive event featuring a formal discussion of teams presenting arguments and counterarguments on a particular topic. Debate is comprised of rules and procedures to facilitate a structured discourse.
What is competitive debating?
Competitive debating is a type of intellectually stimulating sport exhibiting a competitive mastery of the art of persuasion and proficient delivery. This involves organized interschool or intervarsity competitions and tournaments. Some notable competitive debate competitions include the major and regional championships.
Definition of terms:
1. Motion - A motion is established as the topic, statement, or premise that initiates the discussion of the competing teams. Motions cover diverse topics from politics, ethics, science, etc., but are conventionally categorized according to various proposals and topics that can be discussed during the debate proper.
- Types of motions:
- Comparative motion - This motion tasks the debaters to compare the variables of a topic.
- Fact motion - This motion asks the debaters to apply factual information in defending or refuting a certain topic.
- Policy motion - This motion requires the debaters to formulate or challenge a policy or framework to address the given situation.
- Value motion - This motion demands the debaters to defend or criticize a given principle or value.
2. Government/proposition - The government bench, also known as the proposition bench, is the affirmative side that constructs arguments in favor of the motion. This side also addresses counterarguments from the opposition side.
3. Opposition - The opposition bench is the negative side that disproves the motion and challenges the argument constructed by the government/proposition side.
4. Adjudicators - The adjudicators are a group of people who manage and evaluate the debate by providing neutral feedback and constructive criticism. This group is composed of a Chair and Panelists who assess the quality of the argument and delivery of the debaters. Adjudicators are generally chosen based on their credentials and credibility.
5. Point of Information - A Point of Information (POI) is a 10 to 15-second question raised by a speaker from the opposite team that aims to challenge or clarify the argument delivered by the speaker. POIs can only be made within the unprotected time of the speaker’s speech, typically after the first minute of the speech and before the last minute of the speech. The speaker can either accept or decline POIs but speakers are encouraged to entertain at least one or two POIs. are recommended to be accepted by the speaker.
6. Substantive Speech - A substantive speech is the main speech of the debaters presenting their main arguments, evidence, refutations, and counterarguments.
7. Reply Speech - A reply speech recapitulates the main argument and rebuttals of the team and emphasizes the merits of the team’s argument over the opposing team. This is generally delivered by the first or second speaker of the government/proposition or opposition side, except for British Parliamentary Debate Format where a reply speech is not delivered.
Different Debate Formats:
1. University Debates
- a. British Parliamentary Debate - The British Parliamentary Debate, also known as BP, Worlds, or WUDC format, is the most popular style of debating format that is conventionally used in the annual World Universities Debating Championships.
i. General Rules:
1. A 15-minute preparation time is given to the contenders before the debate proper for team members to communicate with each other and prepare their case. During the preparation time, debaters are only allowed to communicate with members of their own team.
2. The use of electronic devices during the preparation time is prohibited.
3. All debaters are given 7 minutes to present their substantive speech.
ii. Team Composition:
- In the British-Parliamentary debate format, there are four teams composed of two members. Two teams represent the Government and two teams represent the Opposition.
- The Opening Government is composed of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
- The Closing Government is composed of the Member of the Government and the Government Whip.
- The Opening Opposition is comprised of the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of Opposition.
- The Closing Opposition is comprised of the Member of the Opposition and the Opposition Whip.
iii. Flow:
iv. Roles:
1. Opening Government:
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister defines the motion and establishes the main case of the team
- Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister reiterates the key argument of the team, refutes the case of the Leader of Opposition, and accentuates the case of the team.
2. Closing Government:
- Member of the Government: The Member of the Government rebuts the argument of the Opening Opposition and provides additional merits on the argument of the Government side building on the points made by the Opening Government.
- Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister reiterates the key argument of the team, refutes the caGovernment Whip: The Government Whip highlights the relevant notions and merits of the Government’s case, and refutes the holistic argument of the Opposition.
3. Opening Opposition:
- Leader of Opposition: The Leader of Opposition criticizes the argument of the Prime Minister and states the position of the team.
- Deputy Leader of Opposition: The Deputy Leader of Opposition provides additional merits to the Leader of Opposition and refutes the argument of the Opening Government.
4. Closing Opposition:
- Member of Opposition: The Member of Opposition refutes the material presented by the Member of the Government and highlights the strong points of the Opposition.
- Opposition Whip: The Opposition Whip recapitulates the pertinent argument of the Opposition and summarizes the whole debate as they accentuate the comprehensive stance of the Opposition.
- b. Australs (Australasian) Debate - The Australs debate is a debate format popular in Australia and New Zealand. This format is also referred to as Asian Parliamentary, Australian, or Australasian Parliamentary Debate.
i. General Rules:
1. A 30-minute preparation time is given to the debaters to prepare their speeches. During the preparation time, debaters are only allowed to communicate with the members of their own team. The use of internet resources is not allowed. The preparation time is divided into three segments.
- The first segment tasks the teams to rank three topics presented to them by the officials.
- The second segment tasks the teams to compare their ranking. The third-ranked topic is automatically removed. Meanwhile, out of the two topics remaining, if the teams ranked those in the same way, the first ranked topic will be chosen. However, if the teams rank those topics differently, a coin toss will be performed to determine which team’s first-ranked choice will be the topic of the debate.
- The third segment tasks the teams to plan their strategies and argument.
2. All debaters have 8 minutes to present their substantive speech.
3. The First or Second Speakers of each team have 4 minutes to deliver their reply speech at the end of the debate.
ii. Team Composition:
- In Australs Debate Format, there are two teams composed of three speakers. The first team is the Affirmative composed of the First Affirmative, Second Affirmative, and Third Affirmative speakers. On the other hand, the Negative is composed of the First Negative, Second Negative, and Third Negative speakers. Both of the team’s First and/or Second Speakers will give a Reply Speech at the end of the debate proper.
iii. Flow:
iv. Roles:
1. Affirmative:
- First Affirmative: The First Affirmative Speaker provides a brief contextualization of their argument and structures the overall argument of the Affirmative.
- Second Affirmative: The Second Affirmative refutes the points forwarded by the First Negative and further emphasizes the merits of the Affirmative’s argument.
- Third Affirmative: The Third Affirmative summarizes the case of Affirmative and refutes the case of the Negative.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the argument in the Affirmative and points out the weaknesses of the Negative argument.
2. Negative:
- First Negative: The First Negative Speaker negates or challenges the argument presented by the Affirmative and sets forth a counter-argument.
- Second Negative: The Second Negative rebuts the argument of the Second Affirmative and introduces a new argument supporting the Negative.
- Third Negative: The Third Negative concludes the case of the Negative by emphasizing the merits of the Negative’s argument.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker should recapitulate the main argument of the Negative side and prove their merits over the Affirmative.
- c. Asian 3v3 Debate - The Asian 3v3 Debate, also known as the Asian Parliamentary Debate Format, is a debating style most commonly used in Asian regions.
i. General Rules:
1. A 30-minute preparation time is given to the debaters to prepare their case.
2. During the preparation time, the use of gadgets, the internet, and communication outside the team is prohibited.
3. All debaters have 7 minutes to present their substantive speech.
4. The First or Second Speakers of each team have 4 minutes to deliver their reply speech at the end of the debate.
ii. Team Composition:
- In the Asian 3v3 Debate Format, there are two teams composed of three members. The two teams represent the Government and Opposition teams. The Government is composed of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Government Whip. Meanwhile, the Opposition is composed of the Leader of Opposition, Deputy Leader of Opposition, and Opposition Whip.
iii. Flow:
iv. Roles:
1. Government:
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister defines the motion and outlines the argument of the Government.
- Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister refutes the argument of the Leader of Opposition and advances the Government’s argument.
- Government Whip: The Government Whip rebuts the case of the Opposition and emphasizes the argument of the Government.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Government’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Opposition.
2. Opposition:
- Leader of Opposition: The Leader of Opposition challenges the argument of the Government and establishes the counter-argument of the Opposition.
- Deputy Leader of Opposition: The Deputy Leader of Opposition refutes the argument of the Deputy Prime Minister and reinforces the counter-argument of the Opposition.
- Opposition Whip: The Opposition Whip summarizes the main points of the Opposition while rebutting the claims of the Government.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Opposition’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Government.
2. School Debates
- a. World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC Format) - The World Schools Debating Championship Debate Format, also referred to as the World Schools Format, is a debate format commonly used by high school and pre-university students.
i. General Rules:
1. In prepared rounds, the motion will be released several weeks in advance of the debating tournament. Meanwhile, in impromptu rounds, the motion is given prior to the debating rounds.
2. The teams are initially composed of five members per team but only three speakers will be allowed to join the debate proper.
3. All debaters have 8 minutes to present their substantive speech.
4. The First or Second Speakers of each team are given 4 minutes to deliver their reply speech at the end of the debate.
ii. Team Composition:
- In the World Schools Debate Format, there are two teams composed of five members three of which are the speakers in the debate proper. The two teams represent the Proposition and the Opposition. The Proposition is comprised of Proposition Speaker 1, Proposition Speaker 2, and Proposition Speaker 3. Meanwhile, the Proposition team is comprised of Opposition Speaker 1, Opposition Speaker 2, and Opposition Speaker 3. Both of the team’s First Speakers will give a Reply Speech at the end of the debate proper.
iii. Flow:
iv. Roles:
1. Proposition:
- Proposition 1: Proposition 1 defines the motion and sets the main argument of the Proposition.
- Proposition 2: Proposition 2 reiterates the argument of the Proposition and rebuts the case of the Opposition by providing additional support for the Proposition’s main argument.
- Proposition 3: Proposition 3 further refutes the claims of the Opposition and emphasizes the strengths of the Proposition’s assertions.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Government’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Opposition.
2. Opposition:
- Opposition 1: Opposition 1 challenges the argument presented by the Proposition and introduces the counterargument of the Opposition.
- Opposition 2: Opposition 2 refutes the argument of the Proposition and strengthens the counterargument by adding merits to the case of the Opposition.
- Opposition 3: Opposition 3 summarizes the debate while strengthening the overall case of the Opposition over the claims of the Proposition.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Opposition’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Government.
- b. Junior WSDC or Junior Asian 3v3 Debate - The Junior Asian 3v3 Debate Format, also known as the Junior World Schools Debate Championship, is a debating style most commonly used in Asian regions for children aged 7 to 13 years old.
i. General Rules:
1. In prepared rounds, a 15-minute preparation time is given to the debaters to prepare their case. Meanwhile, in impromptu rounds, a 30-minute preparation time is given.
2. Each debater is given 4 minutes to deliver their substantive speech
3. The First or Second Speakers of each team are given 3 minutes to deliver their reply speech at the end of the debate.
ii. Team Composition:
- In the Junior Asian 3v3 Debate Format, there are two teams composed of three members. The two teams represent the Government and Opposition teams. The Government is composed of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Government Whip. The Opposition is composed of the Leader of Opposition, Deputy Leader of Opposition, and Opposition Whip.
iii. Flow:
iv. Roles:
1. Government:
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister defines the motion and outlines the argument of the Government.
- Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister refutes the argument of the Leader of Opposition and advances the Government’s argument.
- Government Whip: The Government Whip rebuts the case of the Opposition and emphasizes the argument of the Government.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Government’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Opposition.
2. Opposition:
- Leader of Opposition: The Leader of Opposition challenges the argument of the Government and establishes the counter-argument of the Opposition.
- Deputy Leader of Opposition: The Deputy Leader of Opposition refutes the argument of the Deputy Prime Minister and reinforces the counter-argument of the Opposition.
- Opposition Whip: The Opposition Whip summarizes the main points of the Opposition while rebutting the claims of the Government.
- Speaker for Reply Speech: In the reply speech, the speaker summarizes the merits of the Opposition’s argument and points out the weaknesses of the Government.
Different Debate Competitions:
1. Major Championship
- a. World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC) - The World Championship of the World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC) is the largest annual debating tournament in the world.
i. Debate Format:
British Parliamentary Debate Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from around the world
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: The stage of the competition where the debaters are categorized into the Open category, English as a Second Language (ESL) category, and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) category. The break generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Open Category: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English language as their native language.
- ESL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English Language as their second language.
- EFL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debates who consider the English language as a foreign language.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- b. World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) - The World Schools Debating Championship is an annual debating competition involving different nations in the world.
i. Debate Format:
Worlds Schools Format
ii. Eligibility:
High-school level teams
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: also known as the “knock-out rounds” or the eliminations rounds where teams are evaluated further against other teams. The break generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
2. Regional Championship
- a. Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships - The Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championship or the Australs is the largest 3v3 tournament featuring contenders from Australia, New Zealand, Northeast Asia, Southern Asia, and Southeast Asia.
i. Debate Format:
Australs/Australasian Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from Australia, New Zealand, Southern Asia, and Southeast Asia
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” consist of eight rounds that determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: This stage will determine who proceeds to the out-rounds and generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- b. Asian British Parliamentary Debating Championship - The Asian British Parliamentary Debating Championship is an annual debating competition consisting of contenders from Asia.
i. Debate Format:
Asian Parliamentary Debating Format or British Parliamentary Debating Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from Asia
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” consist of eight rounds that determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: The stage of the competition where the debaters are categorized into the Open category and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) category. The break generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Open Category: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English language as their native language.
- EFL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debates who consider the English language as a foreign language.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- c. European Universities Debating Championship - The European Universities Debating Championship, or the Euros, is an annual intercollegiate debating competition composed of teams from Europe.
i. Debate Format:
British Parliamentary Debate Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from Europe
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: The stage of the competition where the debaters are categorized into the Open category and English as a Second Language (ESL) category. The break generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Open Category: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English language as their native language.
- ESL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English Language as their second language.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- d. North American Universities Debate Championships - The North American Universities Debate Championship is the official debating championship of North America attended by debaters from the United States and Canada.
i. Debate Format:
British Parliamentary Debate Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from the United States and Canada
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” consist of six to eight rounds that determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: This stage will determine who proceeds to the out-rounds and generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- e. Pan African Universities Debating Championship - The Pan African Universities Debating Championship is the largest university debate competition in Africa.
i. Debate Format:
British Parliamentary Debate Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from the Africa
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” consist of nine rounds that determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: This stage will determine who proceeds to the out-rounds and generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament. tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.
- f. United Asians Debating Championships - The United Asian Debating Championship is the largest inter-varsity debating tournament in Asia.
i. Debate Format:
Asian 3v3 Format
ii. Eligibility:
University students from Asia
iii. Schedule:
Held annually
iv. Rounds:
- Preliminary Rounds: also referred to as the “in-rounds” consist of eight rounds that determine the best-performing teams who will make it to the next stages of the competition.
- The Break: The stage of the competition where the debaters are categorized into the Open category, English as a Second Language (ESL) category, and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) category. The break generally depends on the size of the tournament but conventionally starts at the octo-finals.
- Open Category: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English language as their native language.
- ESL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debaters who consider the English Language as their second language.
- EFL Category Rounds: The category rounds for debates who consider the English language as a foreign language.
- Elimination Rounds: also referred to as the “out-rounds” determines the champions of the tournament.