Asian

Parliamentary
Debating
September 17 to 18, 2009
F. Bangoy National High School
What is debating?
a formal contest in which the affirmative and
negative sides of a proposition are advocated
by opposing speakers.
Debate vs.
Argumentation
Debates are formal and should only have two
sides, where a single topic (motion) is being
tackled.
Argumentations are rather informal discussions
of a collection of reasons on a certain subject.
Argumentation may be used in debating, but in
an organized manner.
FORMAT
Two teams
Government
Opposition
Adjudication Panel
A chairperson (to be addressed as
Mr. or Madam Chair)
And at least two members.

Government Side
Prime Minister (PM)
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)
Government Whip (GW)
Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (LO)
Deputy Leader of the Opposition (DLO)
Opposition Whip (OW)


Speakin
g Order
SPEAKERS' TASKS
Prime Minister - PM
(Constructive Speaker)
Opens the debate
Defines the motion
Advances arguments
Deputy Prime Minister - DPM
(Constructive Speaker)
Refutes at first instance the opposition’s case
Reestablishes government’s claim
Advances arguments
Government Whip – GW
(Rebuttal Speaker)
Makes an issue-based rebuttal of the
opposition’s case
Summarizes the government’s case
Leader of the Opposition -
LO (Constructive Speaker)
Responds directly to the case of the
government by giving a direct clash
Advances arguments
May challenge the motion’s definition if
challengeable
Deputy Leader of the
Opposition – DLO
(Constructive Speaker)
Refutes the case of the DPM
Reestablishes the opposition’s case
Advances arguments
Opposition Whip – OW
(Rebuttal Speaker)
Makes an issue-base rebuttal of the
government’s case
Summarizes the opposition’s case
Other tasks of the
speakers
Throw POIs to the opposing team on the floor.
Encouraged to accept at least two POIs.
Interjections that are brief, pertinent and
preferably witty, directed to the speaker on
the floor.
Reply speeches by a speaker from each side,
except Rebuttal speakers.
MOTIONS
The topic to be debated on.

Motions
Not worded ambiguously.
Should be debated in its spirit.
Must reflect the theme of the current round of
competition.
Must be offered in each competitive round.
Preparations
Ground Rules
15 to 30 minutes preparation of speeches.
Printed or written materials permitted during
prep and debates.
Electronic equipment strictly prohibited.
5 to 7 minute speeches.
Timekeeping
1st minute – one clap or one knock; POIs may
be raised.
7th minute – two claps or two knocks; POIs are
no longer allowed.
For replies – at 3rd minute, one knock/clap; at
5th minute, two knocks/claps, no POIs
allowed.
Undertime – 4:45 below
Overtime – 7:15 up
SPECIFICS
DEFINITIONS
The Definition
It is the interpretation of the motion as put
forward by the Prime Minister in the opening
of his/her speech.
It should be reasonable.
It should state the issue or issues arising out of
the motion and the meanings of any terms in
the motion which require interpretation.
Should have a clear and logical link to the
motion, meaning, an average person would
accept the link made by the member
between the motion and the definition. Where
there is no such link, the definition is often
referred to as “squirrel”.
The Definition should not
be:
A truism (a matter already stated as a fact).
Ex. Genocide is bad.
A tautology (a self-proving definition as it can’t
allow any reasonable substantive case to be
mounted in opposition). Ex. God is God, no
more, no less.
The Definition should not
be:
Place set (setting an unnaturally restrictive
geographical, spatial or political location that
the opponent could not reasonably be
expected to have knowledge).
 Ex. Motion: TH supports birth control
policies. Parameter: Japan. Wrong. Better:
Philippines, or to say that this debate takes
place in 3rd world countries.
 Motion: TH grieves same-sex marriages.
 Parameter: Philippines.Wrong. Better: USA,
inc. states where same-sex marriages have
been recognized.
The Definition should not
be:
Time set (setting an unnaturally restrictive
chronological period as main parameter that
the opposition can’t sufficiently debate with).
Meaning, debate must take place in the
present.
A Squirrel - a definition given by PM which is far
from the spirit of the motion, “runs away"
from what the debate was supposed to be
about. That's why it's called a squirrel. :-)



 THE DEFINITION IS WRONG
WHEN PM IS GUILTY OF ANY
OF THE DON’TS IN DEFINING.
IN THIS CASE, LO
CHALLENGES PM’S DEFINITION.
CHALLENGING THE
DEFINITION
Go, go, LO!

Challenging the
Definition
LO must clearly express in his/her speech that
he/she challenges PM’s definition, state the
reasons, and provide substitute definition.
“Even if” arguments will follow, except if truism
was committed.
Only LO challenges.
No team abandons their definition.

JUDGING
3Ms: Matter, Manner and Method

MATTER (40%)
substance of the debate, the arguments and
evidences presented, and the logical
reasoning and presentation of said
arguments.
Responsiveness to POIs will matter.
GW may introduce “New Matter” after
rebuttals, but is not advised to do so.
OW can’t introduce new matter, but can use
new matter to rebut GW’s new matter.
No new matter in replies.
MANNER (40%)
the style of delivery, the persuasion skills, and
the conduct of the debaters.
METHOD (20%)
The response to the dynamics of the debate,
and the observance of the rules of debate.
Individual Method - the structure and
organization of an individual speech; balance
of the speech. Wise time management to
nearly completely advance his/her case and
for development (opening remarks, team
stand, team split, rebuttal, own points,
summary, etc.)
Team Method - effectiveness of the team’s
case organization and structure as a whole;
equable division of speakers’ roles and
responsibilities during a debate and their
Points of
Information
Point there.

Points of Information
These are questions or points directed to a
member of the opposing who speaks at the
moment.
POIs may be raised by one, two or three
speakers.
The speaker may accept or reject the POI
offered.
POIs last for 15 seconds.
The speaker on the floor must respond to the
POI by:
 a. making gestures which indicate
rejection of the POI;

Points of Information
Speakers on the floor must attempt to answer
at least two POIs.