Introduction to
University Debate
Dylan Williams – Fall 2015
University of Alberta Debate Society
1
Introduction
 Topics
to cover
 1.
Basics of Debate
 2. British Parliamentary Style
 Speakers
and Roles
 Examples of a debate round
 Points
of Information
 Judging
 3.
Learning and Improving in Debate
2
What is Debate?

A respectful exchange of ideas between
reasonable people

Sometimes outside your comfort zone

Part content, part style
3
Basic Rules of Debate

Respect others, and yourself. Listen and be polite

Think and argue in terms of principles and analysis
4
Debate Styles

British Parliamentary (Fall)

Canadian Parliamentary (Winter)

Australs (Summer)
5
British Parliamentary Style – At a Glance
Teams Announced -> Motion Announced -> 15 Minutes Preparation -> Debate!

Common, balanced, competitive style

Topics that reasonable people can disagree about, and are accessible

“This House Would do x,” “This House Believes x” “This House Supports”
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Closing Government
Leader of the Opposition
5 Minute Speech
Deputy Prime Minister
5 Minute Speech
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
5 Minute Speech
Member of Government
5 Minute Speech
Member of Opposition
5 Minute Speech
Government Whip
5 Minute Speech
Opposition Whip
5 Minute Speech
Closing Opposition
Prime Minister
5 Minute Speech
Opening Opposition
Opening Government
British Parliamentary Style – Speakers
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Speakers
The Prime Minister

Model and groundwork for the round

Constructive Arguments
8
Speakers
Leader of the Opposition

Clash with PM

Opposition Stance

Constructive Arguments
9
Speakers
Deputy Prime Minister, and
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
 Clash with last speaker
 Rebuild
Constructive Arguments
10
Speakers
Member of Government

Clash with Opening Opposition

Extend on the debate with new argument
11
Speakers
Member of Opposition

Clash with MG’s extension

Extend on the debate with new argument
12
Speakers
Government Whip and Opposition Whip

Clash with other side’s extension

Biased summary of the round – No new material!

Emphasize back half material
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British Parliamentary Style – Example
This House Would Intervene Against ISIS
Opening Government
“ISIS is harming people in the
Middle East and we have a duty to
protect them”
Closing Government
“ISIS is a threat to security in the
West, and will terrorize us if we
don’t stop them”
Opening Opposition
“ISIS will only get stronger if the
West gets involved and causes
more violence”
Closing Opposition
“The West shouldn’t break
international law by waging war in
countries where it hasn’t been
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invited”
British Parliamentary Style – Example
This House Would Publically Fund Elections
Opening Government
“This gives every party a fair
chance to make their views heard”
Closing Government
“Now, parties focus on actually
appealing to individual voters
instead of fundraising for cash”
Opening Opposition
“Public money shouldn’t go
towards political parties that
people don’t all support”
Closing Opposition
“Now parties depend on the state
instead of supporters, and people
have one less way to get involved”15
Points of Information

Definition
A
short question, attack or response given during
someone else’s speech

Rules
 Give
two, take two
 Protected

How to Give
 Short

Time
and snappy
How to Take
 Whenever
works for you
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Points of Clarification

Definition
A
short clarification on a part of the government case
or model that you don’t understand

Rules
 Like
a POI, but only during PM speech
 Can
be in protected time (but say “clarification”)
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Judging Criteria

Pursuasiveness
 Whose

Engagement
 Who

arguments were most important, convincing
played ball with other teams effectively
Role Fullfillment
 Did
everyone do what they needed to do in the round?
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Learning and Improving

Debate is about practice and improvement

Keep a notebook/folder/binder

Seek out and consider feedback

Keep an eye on issues that may come up
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