BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY

STYLE DEBATECredits from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Parliamentary_Style

And Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc.

Mr. Edward Jay Quinto

BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY STYLE DEBATE

British Parliamentary Style debate is a common form of academic debate. It has gained support in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Europe,  Africa, Philippines and United States, and has also been adopted as the official style of the World Universities Debating Championship and European Universities Debating Championship. Speeches are usually between five and seven minutes in duration.

TERMINOLOGY Because of the style's origins in

British parliamentary procedure, the two sides are called the Government (more commonly called "Proposition" in the United Kingdom) and Opposition.

THE SPEAKERS ARE SIMILARLY TITLED: Opening Government (first faction):

Prime MinisterDeputy Prime Minister

Opening Opposition (second faction):Leader of the OppositionDeputy Leader of the Opposition

Closing Government (third faction):Member for the GovernmentGovernment Whip

Closing Opposition (fourth faction):Member for the OppositionOpposition Whip

SPEAKING ALTERNATES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND THE ORDER OF THE DEBATE IS THEREFORE:

Prime Minister Leader of the Opposition Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of the Opposition Member for the Government Member for the Opposition Government Whip Opposition Whip

POINTS OF INFORMATION The style demands that all speakers

offer Points of Information (POIs) to their opposition. POIs are important in British Parliamentary style, as it allows the first two factions to maintain their relevance during the course of the debate, and the last two factions to introduce their arguments early in the debate. The first and last minute of each speech is considered "protected time", during which no points of information may be offered.

MODEL DISCUSSION THBT Automobiles Should Be Banned.

Background (why you are writing this argument)

Do you like the smell of car exhaust? Millions of cars are polluting our cities. And people are saying we need to solve the problem cars create.

Thesis (the argument)

To solve this problem, I believe people should be banned from owning automobiles. I believe this for safety, economic, and environmental reasons.

First Reason

First, cars are not safe. This weekend five people were slaughtered on our roads, not to mention countless number of people maimed in nonfatal accidents. People die because they drive.

Second Reason and Alternative

Cars should be banned because they cost too much. Money spent buying cars would be better spent on schools and hospitals. In addition, buying gas for a car costs a lot of money. Going by bus may not be as convenient, but it is cheap.

Third Reason and Alternative

Cars should be banned for environmental reasons. Buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) give off less pollution. In fact, one CNG bus gives off less polution than one gas fueled car and can carry fifty people.

Counterargument

Some people might argue that people need cars. Okay, some peple might need a car from time to time, but many more people could and should walk to road, and many others could and should take the bus.

Restatement

We do not need cars. It makes sense on safety, environmental, and economic grounds to ban cars from our roads.

SUMMARY To summarize the model discussion, it is

helpful to remember the acronym, HEEL.

H – HandleE – ExplainE – ExampleL - Link

THE MECHANICS The first, second and third speakers of

every group shall be given five minutes to deliver their respective speeches.

The first and last minutes of each speech shall be uninterrupted; that is, no Points of Information may be raised.

POIs must be stated in declarative, not interrogative, statement.

The fourth speakers or WHIPS shall deliver a three-minute uninterrupted restatement or summary of the case.

THE ATTIRE

For female Blouse and blazer Slacks or below the

knee skirt with stockings

Formal pair of shoes (definitely neither rubber nor crocs)

Very light make up (optional)

Properly kept hair that reveals the entirety of the face

Males and females should wear corporate attires.

For male Long sleeves polo

with necktie that is properly tied (vest is optional

Black Pants Formal pair of

shoes (leather whose color is also the color of a leather belt)

No make up Clean hair cut

SCHEDULE Next meeting (November 21, 2011;

Monday)

Group 1 vs. Group 2Motion: This house would reinstate capital punishment (death penalty).

Group 3 vs. Group 4

Motion: This house would allow gays to serve openly in the military.

SCHEDULE Next meeting (November 23, 2011;

Wednesday) Group 5 vs. Group 6

Motion: This house would legalize same sex marriage.

Group 7 vs. Group 8Motion: This house believes that the Disney princesses promote women empowerment.

Group 9 vs. Group 10Motion: This house believes that Princess Fiona is an epitome of beauty.

AWARDS Awards will be given to the

following: Best Prime Minister or Leader of the

Opposition Best Deputy Best Whip Best Cross Examiner Best in Corporate Attire Best Debating Team

SCORING SYSTEM Knowledge of the Subject - 10 points Language (includes correctness

of SV agreement and other

grammatical considerations)- 10 points Organization and Logicality - 10 points Presentation of Evidence - 5 points Cross Examination

(includes rebuttal) – 5 points Ethical Considerations - 5 points Attire - 5 points

_________________________________________

TOTAL 50 points

MELT Passing 35 points

GOOD LUCK AND PREPARE WELL! An activity well-planned is half done! -

Proverb He who fails to plan, plans to fail. -

Proverb Planning is bringing the future into the

present so that you can do something about it now. - Alan Lakein

Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning. – Winston Churchill

You become who you plan to become.– EJM Quinto