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Parliamentary Debate

Event Description:

https://www.bloomu.edu/documents/forensics-intro-parliamentary-debate

https://www.chssa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Parliamentary_Debate_Intro.9104950.pdf

Parliamentary debate is a formal contest featuring critical analysis and rhetorical skill.Participants represent the advocates for and against a motion for debate (also known as a resolution or topic).

Parliamentary debate is extemporaneous debating on topics that change from debate to debate. There are two speakers per team, and two teams in a debate. One team is called the proposition team. This team supports the motion for debate by making a specific case for the motion. The other team is called the opposition team. This team opposes the proposition team’s case for the motion. Contestants debate a wide variety of topics drawn from current events, contemporary culture, domestic and international issues, politics and philosophy. The proposition team has the burden of making and defending a specific case for the motion for debate. The opposition teamargues against that case by showing that the case should not be upheld because it is wrong, dangerous, ill-informed, or some combination thereof. Topics are normally announced 20 minutes before the beginning of each debate. Students may consult materials during their designated preparation time, but once the debate has started, students may not use any materials prepared prior to the announcement of the topic.

STRUCTURE:

There are four debaters in a debate. The person who opens for a side also closes for that side. This means that on each team, one debater will speak twice while the other will speak once. The order of speeches is as follows:
First Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes
First Opposition Constructive: 7 minutes
Second Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes
Second Opposition Constructive: 7 minutes
Opposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes
Proposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes

POINTS OF INFORMATION:

One unique and dynamic feature of parliamentary debating is the use of points of information. A Point of Information is a request by one or more debaters on
an opposing team to the speaker holding the floor to yield a portion of her speaking time for abrief statement or clarifying question. To make a point of information, one or both members ofthe opposing team rise and announce “Information” or “Point of Information”. They may also signal non-verbally that they wish to make a point of information, for example, by extending an arm forward in the air. The speaker then has the discretion to accept or refuse the point. If the point is accepted
(“I will take your point,” for example), the opposing team member directs a statement (often anargument or counterexample) or question to the speaker. If the speaker refuses the point (forexample, they might say “No thank you.”), the opposing team member must sit down, as they do not have the floor. The speaker is technically yielding time from her own speech for the pointof information and the time for the point is deducted from the speaker holding the floor. Points of Information must be concise statements or questions, lasting no more than fifteen seconds.