DPL Season 2, 2019 Rulebook

INTRODUCTION

A debate round has two teams with two Owner with three Debaters each side and the
Adjudicator(s). One team represents the Government (Proposition), while the other represents
the Opposition. The Government team consists of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime
Minister and the Government Whip. The Opposition team comprises the Leader of
Opposition, the Deputy Leader of Opposition and the Opposition Whip. The speakers
alternate between the teams. The first speech is given by the Prime Minister, and the
Opposition Whip delivers the last constructive speech of the House. The reply speeches are
given by the Opposition first followed by Government side. The Adjudicator(s) decide(s) at
the end of the round, based on the arguments made in the debate, whether the Government has
proved its case or whether the Opposition has disproved it. The team which met its burden
more convincingly wins the debate. Owner will cheer his/her team and will act as manager of
his team. He will assure the discipline of Debate and will be the sole responsible for his/ her
team throughout the whole DPL.

FORMAT:-
 The round starts with a motion being released 30 min before debate.
 Owners are not allowed to sit with his/her team after the release of motion and preparation
time allotted to them.
 Teams are supposed to mark their motion (out of three) according to their preference. In case
of draw a toss will be done by the volunteer to select the motion.
 After a motion as been decided, a coin toss decides which team will be the Government side
and which will be the side of opposition.
 The teams are then given 20 minutes preparation time, after which they present their case.
The speaking time for each speaker is 7 minutes and 20 seconds grace time, (owners are not
allowed to be present at the preparation time).
 The first and the last minutes are protected minutes, i.e., no Point of Information (POIs) can
be raised.
 Owners will sit with his/her team at the time of debate with at least a reasonable distance from
the team. Owner cannot interrupt the debate anyhow.
 The speakers alternate between the teams, from 1st Government to 3rd Opposition followed
by Opposition Reply Speech and Government Reply Speech, which are of 4 minutes 20
seconds each.
 Decision of the Adjudicator will be final and binding, Owners are not allowed to interrupt
and argue with adjudicator anyhow.

The skills of the debate, on which the debate is adjudicated, are divided into three parts:-

 Matter/ Content: - The logic and relevance of your arguments.

 Manner: - The style with which the arguments are presented.
 Method: - The structure and clarity of the speech.

These are the elements which together contribute to the persuasiveness of the debate and hence,
the speakers are marked on these aspects by the adjudicator(s).

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ROLES OF SPEAKER

Each speaker must fulfil certain roles for a team to perform well and for a good debate to
occur. While role-fulfilment is mandatory and marked under the following method:-

Prime Minister (FIRST SPEAKER)

The first speaker from the government (proposition) side is the Prime Minister. His major
role is to initiate the debate, define the motion, set up house and provide the constructive as to
why the motion should be passed. The central thrust of the case is supposed to come out in the
1st speech and establish the ground on which the debate is to be preceded.

• Intro / Context- Gives the introduction by stating the stand of the side government and the
premise of their case.

• Definition / Team Line- Defines the key words in the motion.

Leader of Opposition

The first speaker from the opposition side is the leader of opposition. His major role is to oppose the
motion, set up the debate and to provide the constructive as to why the motion should not be passed. Along
with that he/she needs to rebuttal the arguments raised by the Prime Minister, put a base for the opposition,
respond to the definition, present his own position and case. Further in case of definition challenge only the
leader of opposition is entitled to bring out the definition challenge. (explained latter).

ROLE of 2nd Speakers (Deputy Prime Minister/Deputy Leader of Opposition):

To move the debate forward by analysing the existing arguments by introducing new lines
of argument. The second speech is all about control of the debate. By this time everyone gets
to know what the other side is arguing and must present sufficient responses to whatever has
come so far. You must also defend your case against the attacks received, and add new
arguments along the way to bolster your case.

Deputy Prime Minister

• Further substantiate the arguments raised by PM.

• Rebut Leader of Opposition

Deputy Leader of Opposition

• Further Substantiate the arguments raised by LO.

• Rebut Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

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• ROLE of 3rd Speakers (Government Whip/Opposition Whip):

To organize the debate into clear questions/themes to make things lucid – then show why
your case was better. Give a deeper analysis to the constructive put forward and arguments
raised.

[NOTE: The government whip/opposition whip cannot bring in new arguments/points in

the debate in the course of his/her speech.]

Government Whip

 Briefly summarize team’s case and prioritize the main issues

 Identify core clashes/“themes”

 Classify rebuttals within those themes

 Rebut new arguments made by the Deputy Leader of Opposition

 Conclusion

Opposition Whip

 Briefly summarize team’s case and prioritize the main issues

 Identify core clashes/ “themes”

 Classify rebuttals within those themes

 Conclusion

Opposition Reply/Government Reply

• It is basically a “Biased adjudication” and both sides has to prove that why their side won the debate.

• Briefly summarize the whole debate and put forward the crux of the debate.

• Overview of the debate.

• No new arguments is to be raised.

NOTE- Whips are not allowed to give the reply speech.

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DEFINITION

Definition is an interpretation of the motion as put forward by the PM in his opening

remarks. The onus for establishing how the definition ties in with the given motion lies
completely upon PM.
 Definition should be reasonable.
The definition should state the issues arising out of the motion, state meanings and clarification of
any terms in the motion. Further display clear logical links to the wording and the spirit of the
motion.

Definition challenge:-
 A definitional challenge can be done for any of the reasons given below. The
challenge must be made by the first opposition speaker (leader of opposition) as
their FIRST piece of substantive speech. Challenges cannot be brought up by
other speakers.

State why the definition is unreasonable

 The definition should not be-

a) A Truism- A Matter stated as fact

b) A Tautology- A definition which in development proves itself.
c) Place set- Setting an unnaturally restrictive geographical or spatial location as its
major parameter. E.g, setting a house (Country) which is not related/favourable to the
motion
d) Time set- Setting an unnaturally restrictive chronological duration as its main
parameter.
e) Squirreling- It implies that a definition has been proposed which is clearly not in
keeping with the spirit of motion.

 The LO may not challenge a definition supplied by the Affirmative on the basis that:
i. The definition does not adhere to the theme provided for the round
ii. Its own definition is MORE reasonable.
iii. A better debate will result. Nor may the Negative re-define terms or words
contained in the motion so that a completely different debate is thereby set up.
However, a Negative may contend with the specific or general approach to
terminology supplied by the definition of the Affirmative.

How to set a definitional challenge

 The definitional challenge must be made in the speech of the Leader of the Opposition, following
a clear statement that the definition is being rejected. The onus for establishing the definition
challenge lies completely upon the Leader of the Opposition. Subsequent speakers are strictly
permitted a purely clarification role (if any) in this regard.
 In the event of a challenge, the Leader of the Opposition must justify his/her rejection by
supplying the grounds on which the original definition has been rejected. Furthermore, a substitute
definition must be supplied, which the Opposition benches must then go on to negate. The
opposition is also expected to, in the case of the definition being a squirrel, place or time set to
submit some arguments to negate the definition proposed by the government, in the sense of an
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even if, i.e. that even if the challenge doesn’t stand, these arguments would negate the
government’s case.
 If the Leader of the Opposition does not challenge the definition, no other speaker may do so.
 The onus to prove that a definition is unreasonable is on the Opposition, and should not be
presumed by the adjudicators.
 Adjudicators should not indicate during the debate whether the definition challenge has
succeeded. They cannot indicate which definition they find to be (more) acceptable. The final
decision as to whether a definition challenge has succeeded must take into consideration after all 8
speeches in any debate.

Adjudicator Marking Schemes/Pattern:

a. At the end of every debate, each adjudicator must complete their adjudication forms and submit it to
runner/Volunteer before their feedback.
b. Adjudicators must declare the decision to the team i.e win / loss and motion stood or fell on the spot
itself.
c. There are no draws in competitive debate.
d. Teams failing to turn up for the debate on time, and with no valid reason, will lose the debate by the
widest possible margin. Failure to turn up for two rounds in the preliminary phase will result in
automatic disqualification from the tournament.
e. For constructive speeches, marks shall be awarded to speakers based on the following criteria:-
i. Matter -23 to 27
ii. Manner 23-27
iii. Method 23-27

Therefore, the best speech will get not more than 81 and the worst speech will not get less than 69.

f. For reply speeches, marks shall be awarded to speakers based on the following:
i. An ‘average’ reply speech shall be awarded as a normal substantive speech and then the marks
will be one half. Thus, an average speech shall be 37.5 (75) .
g. The ‘average’ mark for an ‘average team’ is therefore: 75+75+75+37.5 = 262.5
h. The lowest possible score is therefore: 69+ 69+69+34.5 = 241.5
i. The highest possible score is therefore: 81+ 81+81+40.5 = 283.5

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WIN/ LOSS MARGIN

a. Adjudicators must determine, at the conclusion of a debate whether the overall margin of win/loss
separating the teams was (independently of speaker scores) close, clear or a thrashing margin on a scale
of 1 to 12.
i. Close win = 1 to 4 points.
ii. Clear win = 5 to 8 points.
iii. Thrashing = 9 to 12 points.
b. Win /Loss Margins lower than 1 and higher than 12 are not permitted on any count.
c. The difference between the cumulative speaker scores of the two teams in the match need not be the
same as the win loss margin
d. However, the team which wins the debate must have a higher cumulative score.

POINTS OF INFORMATION (POIs)

a. Points of Information (POIs’) may be offered during the six substantive speeches only, after
the first single knock of the gavel and up to the second single knock of the gavel. Points of
Information may not be offered during the first and last minutes of substantive speeches. If a
Point of Information is offered in the first or the last minute of a constructive speech, it is the duty
of the speaker holding the floor to reject the same as being out of order. Only if the speaker
holding the floor fails to do the same, the chair of the adjudicator panel may very briefly
intervene and call the house to order.
b. POI must be indicated by a member of an opposing team rising from his/her seat. A member
offering a Point of Information may draw attention to the offer by saying “on that point
Sir/Madam,” or a short word calling attention to the member of the opposing team raising the
point of information.
c. A member holding the floor must respond to an opposing member, or members offering POI’s,
in one of the following ways.
i. A clear gesture or hand signal rejecting the offer.
ii. A verbal rejection of the offer, or
iii. A verbal acceptance of the offer.

d. If any POI is accepted, the point should be phrased as a question, or clarification.

e. There will be a compulsory POI called Nuke. Nuke can be taken only once in the entire debate.

**Note:
a. The language for parliamentary debate must be English only.

b. In case any dispute arise the Owners/ Adjudicators/ Participants are supposed
to come through proper channel to DRC (Dispute Reddressal Committee ) with
a written application.

c. Notwithstanding anything in this rulebook the decision of the organising

committee will be final and binding.

The Parliamentary Debating Committee expects that the whole tournament must be JUST and FAIR and
without any hindrances and wish all the participants, owners, the adjudicators and the volunteers “ALL
THE VERY BEST”!!

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