Structure (Asian Parliamentary Debate)

CHAPTER 1

Asian Parliamentary

Teams

3 Debaters (per team)

2 Teams (per debate)

At least 1 Adjudicator (per room)

Structure: Room Setup

Structure: Room Setup

Structure: Room Setup

Structure: Room Setup

Structure:

Speaking

Order

Structure: Timing

Substantives

PROTECTED TIME: NO POIs ALLOWED

UNPROTECTED TIME: POIs ALLOWED

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7.20

1 2 3 4

Reply Speeches

4.20

RULEs to remember

Electronic Devices

No phones

No Computers

Only Dictionaries

Printed Material

Allowed During Prep Time

Not During Speech

Help from coach or teacher

When preparation begins you are on your own.

NO ONE is allowed to help you.

What do you do if you don’t understand the motion?

Ask a member of the adjudication core, and we will

explain to you

Time Management

Debate Preparation 30 mins

Adjudicator Decision: 15 mins

Oral Adjudicator: 7 mins each

*** Timing is strictly controlled***

Penalty: You could get disqualified from the tournament

The debate

CHAPTER 2

The Debate: Motion

The Theme

Every round has a theme.

Debaters are expected to follow the theme when discussing the

motion.

The debate must have a direct link not only to the motion, but

also to the theme of the round

Example

If the motions is “This house would fight fire with fire” , and

the theme is International Relations defining the motion to

talk about military action on cross boarder conflicts makes

more sense than talking about death penalty for murderers

The Debate: Motion

What is a motion?

A clearly worded statement that announces the topic to be

debated in the round

Types Of Motions

1. THBT (This House Believes That)

2. THW (This House Would)

3. TH (This House)

The Debate: Team Roles

Proposition

• Support the motion & give a definition

• Realize the problem and propose a solution/change

• Provide model or mechanism (the detailed implementation process)

• Engage with Opp side

Opposition

• Go against the motion

• Realize the problem, but go against PROP’s proposal

• Provide counter-model or alternative

• Stick with status quo

• Engage with Pro. side

The Debate: Point of Information (POI)

1. STRICTLY no longer than 20 seconds

2. POIs (point of interests) are

1. Points of clarification

2. Points of Contention

3. Stand up

4. No hackling

5. Chair controls the room

Chapter 3:

Judging a debate

Judging: Who is an Adjudicator?

Is an average reasonable person

At least university degree

Has no specific knowledge on issues

A fairly logical person, and listens to reason

Does not have a personal attachment to the motion

Is politically correct (penalizes hate speech or any

personal attacks by debaters)

Judging: Who is an adjudicator?

Avoid Entering Debates

Your specific knowledge about an issue should not

influence your decision

Your personal biases is not a reason to base your

judgment on

Judging: Assessment of clashes

Adjudicators listen to material presented in the

debate, and the debate alone

Ignores personal opinion towards and issue, and

judges the debate objectively

What do you do when you notice factual errors

What about debates against your own moral

values?

Judging: Entering a debate

In judging don’t use:

Specific Knowledge you have about an issue

Personal values as a basis for judgment

***Judge debates ONLY based on what is being presented

to you***

Judging: Elements of debate

Matter

Manner

Method

Matter

Facts

Logical reasoning

Analysis

Case studies

Responsiveness

Up to date information

Manner

Persuasiveness

Clarity

Body language

Eye contact

Method

Technicality of debate

Timing / Time allocation

Role fulfillment

Discipline

Judging: Weighing and Prioritizing clashes

1. What is the most important clash in the debate?

1. Who presented it and how well?

2. What are the burdens of proof?

3. Which side responded better to the

developments through the debate

Judging: New Matter & Late Development

of Matter

Constructive Speeches

PM, DPM, LO, DLO

Substantive speeches

Whip Speakers

Reply Speeches

No new ideas

Judging: Marking Guide & Margin

What are the range?

Total Meaning

68-70 Poor

71-73 Below Average

74 Average or Expected Standard

75-77 Above Average

78-80 Excellent

Margin

Margins Meaning

0.5-3.5 A very close debate with only minor differences separating the teams

4-7 A relatively clear debate with one team having an obvious advantage

7.5-16 Trashing. A very clear win with the losing team failing on one or more fundamental aspects of its argument or presentation

Q & A?