Adjudication Considerations for British Parliamentary Debate

8/12/2019 Adjudication Considerations for British Parliamentary Debate

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ADJUDICATIONSTANDARDS FORBRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE


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A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF:

1. Matter:What you present (i.e. the content)

2. Manner:How you present (i.e. the style)

3. Method:Organisation/ structure of your presentation


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1. Definitions:- Set up of the debate

2. Arguments:

-Must be logical

-Must be relevant

3. Evidences:

-Must be relevant

- Evidential value

(strength)

ELEMENTS OF MATTER

4. Rebuttals:Must be logical

Must be relevant

Must be prompt


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Explain the key-words in the topic.

Identify what you want to prove

and what is your stand. This iscalled the theme of your team.

If there is a measurementinvolved, set up the yardstick orcriteria for such measurement.

DEFINING A TOPIC


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It must bear a close relation to the motion.

It must not be truistic.

It must not employ time or place setting.

It must not be based on overly specific knowledge

Characteristics of a Proper Definition:

RULES OF DEFINITION


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You can only challenge a definition if it

violates any of the criteria stated earlier.

Frequently used terms in challengingdefinitions are: wholly unreasonable,

squirrel, time-place set, truistic.

You cannot challenge a definition simply

because you have a more reasonable or

better definition.

Grounds for Challenge:

CHALLENGING A DEFINITION


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Challenge must come from the

leader of the opposition, not later.

Leader of the opposition must

provide an alternative definition.

In most of the cases, the teams must

introduce an 'even ifargument.



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An Even if 'argument is not possible in somecases. (e.g. truistic definition & definition

running counter to the resolution i.e. where

govt. has taken the oppositions case).

In a definition debate, all the speakers except

the PM argue the following: Why challenge?

Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.

Even if we are to accept the other side's definition,

these are the weaknesses of their case.

Positive case under their own definition.



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First, identify what you have to proveunder the topic.

Then, identify what helps you to prove it.

Put them in the format of an argument ora set of arguments.

Not everything that you know on the

subject is relevant.Anticipate the questions that may be

raised against your arguments and see if

you have good answers to them.

GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS


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Block the opportunity for thosequestions to be raised by addressing

them briefly as you explain the argument.

Present the arguments in order of

their strength.

Avoid empty rhetoric and

emotionalism -be rational.

GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS


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Basic statement

Conclusion / how it proves

your teams theme

Proofs/ evidences/ examples that

factually establish your basic statement

Logical explanations of why and

how the basic statement stands

ESTABLISHING AN ARGUMENT


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Attacks

(Rebut the Arguments)

Defence

(Rebut the Rebuttals)

Rebuttals

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS


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Do not rebut the example, attack the very premise of

the argument of the other side. Only then

contrary examples can be supplemented.

It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to

each argument of the other side.

Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your case.

Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other

side in order to defend your case.

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS


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Respectable attitude towards the judgesand the other team.

Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace, intonation etc.

Use of notes: not to read a written text.

Eye contact.

Body language: hand gestures, pacing,

standing etc.

Impression of sincerity.

Humour, wit, appropriate and healthy sarcasm.

ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE


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Team Structure- Continuity of teams theme in all the speeches.

- Consistency among all the speakers (no contradictions)

- Reinforcement of team members' arguments

-

Clear & logical separation between arguments.

Individual Structure- Attractive opening/outline of the speech.

-Proper organisation& priority of the arguments.

- Organisation of rebuttals.

- Appropriate timing of the speech

- Summary of the speech.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD


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Responses to the dynamics of the debate

- Right thing at the right time.

- Ability to follow the progression of

and changes in the debate, and to re-act

accordingly.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD


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- Defines

- Builds a positive case tosupport the motion

- Responds to theOpp.s case.

- Responds to thegovernments case

- Builds a case to oppose

the motion

-Supports the Opening Gov.s case,

- Adds new dimensions,arguments to furthersubstantiate thegovernments case.

- Responds to theOpp.s case

-Supports the OpeningOppositions case

- Adds new dimension,arguments in Opp.s case

- Responds to governments case

OPENING GOV.

CLOSING GOV. CLOSING OPP.

OPENING OPP.

TEAM ROLES


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A POI can be in a question orstatement form and should not

take more than 15 seconds.

Each speaker should accept at

least two POIs.

All three members of the team

should try to give POIs, but they

must not be disruptive.

POINTS OF INFORMATION (POIs)


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Adjudication Considerations for British Parliamentary Debate

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