Ateneo Debate
Education Program
Basic Debate Seminar
Why debate?
The History of
Debate
Part One:
MECHANICS
What a British
Parliamentary Debate
Looks Like
The Basics
 There are 4 teams per round,
with 2 teams per side
(Government and Opposition)
 Each team is composed of 2
speakers
 Each speech lasts for about 7
minutes, with the first and last
minute uninterrupted
 In the remaining 5 minutes,
members from the opposing
teams can raise POINTS OF
INFORMATION
 A point of
information lasts
for a maximum of
15 seconds
 Motions are given
15 minutes prior
to the debate
Structure
Opening Gov’t
Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
Closing Gov’t
Member of Gov’t
Gov’t Whip
Opening Opp’n
Leader of Opp’n
Deputy Leader of Opp’n
Closing Opp’n
Member of Opp’n
Opp’n Whip
Part Two:
RULES
The Technical Stuff
Motion
• it is the proposition
which the Government
side is supposed to
defend
• there are three types of
motions:
– Open motions
– Semi-closed motions
– Closed motions
• Motions must
be defined by
the Prime
Minister
– More on this
later under
Speaker Roles
Definitions
Each definition MUST:
– Have a direct link to the
motion
– Be fair and debatable
– Identify the issues to be
debated and the scope of
the debate (criteria or
standard)
– Include parameters when
necessary
Unfair
definitions:
Bad or illegal definitions
are usually challenged
(more on this later)
– Truisims
– “Squirrels”
– Time/Place
Sets
– Tautologies
Points of
Information
• Must be no more than 15
seconds long
• It is the discretion of the
person speaking whether
to recognize the point or
not
• Each speaker must
accept at least two points
of information per speech
Team and
Speaker Roles
An Overview
Opening
Government
provide a clear and reasonable definition
establish the issues and scope of the debate
advance a substantive case
the Prime Minister
must:
• introduce the
definition and provide
a link to the motion
• introduce the case of
the OG
• introduce substantive
material to support
his/her side of the
split
the Deputy Prime
Minister must:
• rebut the points of
the LO
• Support the
arguments of the
PM
• Introduce
substantive
material to support
his/her side of the
split
Opening
Opposition
Examine the definition of OG
Challenge or accept the definition
Rebut the arguments of OG
Advance a substantive case
the Leader of
Opposition must:
• Accept or reject the
definition and provide a
link to the motion
• Rebut the points of the
PM
• introduce the case of the
OO
• introduce substantive
material to support
his/her side of the split
the Deputy Leader
of Opposition must:
• rebut the points of
the DPM
• Support the
arguments of the
LO
• Introduce
substantive
material to support
his/her side of the
split
Closing
Government
Rebut the arguments brought up by the
Opening Opposition
Support the stand of the Opening Government
Advance a substantive case
Summarize the debate for the Government
the Member of Government
must:
• Rebut the points of the DLO
• EXTENSION: Develop a
new case line (which must
still be consistent with the
original points of the OG)
• introduce substantive
material to support the CG’s
new line
the Government
Whip must:
• rebut the points of
the MO
• Summarize the
debate
• Reiterate and
support the points of
the entire gov’t side
• Introduce fresh
examples to
support/rebut
previously
mentioned
arguments
Closing
Opposition
Rebut the arguments brought up by the
Closing Government
Support the stand of the Opening Opposition
Advance a substantive case
Summarize the debate for the Opposition
the Member of Opposition
must:
• Rebut the points of the MG
• EXTENSION: Develop a
new case line (which must
still be consistent with the
original points of the OO)
• introduce substantive
material to support the CO’s
new line
the Opposition Whip
must:
• rebut the points of
the GW
• Summarize the
debate
• Reiterate and
support the points of
the entire opposition
side
• Introduce fresh
examples to
support/rebut
previously mentioned
arguments
Rules for
Challenging
• If a definition provided by the
Prime Minister is judged to be a
truism, squirrel, time/place set,
or a tautology, a definitional
challenge may be made
• ONLY the Leader of Opposition
may initiate and issue a
definitional challenge
• If the LO doesn’t challenge, NO
ONE else in the debate may do
so
• Both closing teams have the
OPTION of choosing which
definition to support (OG’s or
OO’s)
• However, if the LO
made a challenge
but the CG found it
wanting, only the
MG may challenge
the definition again
• Again, if the CO
found all the
definitions provided
by OG, OO, and
CG, only the MO
may challenge the
definition
Part Three:
Matter, Manner,
Method
It’s the meat in your
sandwich, the heart
of the matter
Matter
Arguments
Rebuttal
POI’s
Matter: Definition
• The content of the speech. It
is the arguments a debater
uses to further his or her case
and persuade the audience
• Includes arguments,
reasoning, and examples
• Includes positive (substantive
material) and rebuttal
• Includes points of information
Soon to follow:
• What is an
argument?
• Rebuttal
• Points of
Information
• Matterloading
What is an
argument?
• the reason why you support
or oppose a motion
•
argument versus premise
Arguments must
be backed by:
• Analysis: go
beyond the label
and ask the most
important question:
WHY?
• Examples: use
relevant ones and
DON’T argue by
example
Rebuttal
• All speakers, except the Prime
Minister, are expected to
present rebuttal
• Types of rebuttal:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Error of fact
Irrelevancy
Illogical Argument
Unacceptable Implications
Little Weight
Contradictions and Inconsistencies
How much
rebuttal is too
much rebuttal?
POIs!
• Keep it short: You just
have fifteen seconds!
• Types of POIs:
–
–
–
–
–
Clarification
Question
Direct rebuttal
Introducing your argument
Bringing back your
argument
How often should
I raise points of
information?
How many points
of information
should I ask?
Matterloading
How much am I
supposed to know?
• Knowing is half the battle
• Read, read, read
• Ask the right questions
Manner
It matters
how you say it…
Manner: Definition
• The presentation of the
speech. It is the style a
member uses to further
his or her case and
persuade the audience
• Comprised of many
separate elements.
• There is no correct style
of debating
• Some things to
keep in mind:
– Eye contact
– Voice
modulation
– Hand gestures
– Clear and
simple
language
– Efficient notes
Method
Individual Method
And Team Method
Method: Definition
• Can be divided into
individual method and
team method
• Individual method refers
to the organization of
your speech
• Team method refers to
the flow and consistency
of the arguments of the
two speakers in a team
Two Kinds of
Method
• Individual method:
– Structure your speech
– Sign-posting
– Time management
• Team method:
– Allocate your arguments
properly
– If you are the first speaker,
give a team split
– If you are the second
speaker, refer to your
partner regularly
Other things to
remember:
LISTEN
MAINTAIN
PROPER
CONDUCT
Part FOUR:
Other Debate
Formats
Asians
Australasians
Asians
• Structure
– 2 teams:
• Affirmative
• Negative
– 3 members in each team:
• The first two speakers of
each team fulfill the same
roles as the first two
speakers in BP (PM, DPM,
LO and DLO)
• The third speakers acts as
the Whips of the debate
• The Reply
Speech
• Even-if
Australasian
Same as Asians
No Points of Information