MASTERING FOUR-TEAM BRITISH
PARLIAMENTARY [B.P.] DEBATING
Interpreting the Motion and Constructing a
Case for the Proposition
Principles of Interpreting a Motion
• Define any ambiguous terms.
• Outline a framework within which the debate will take place.
• This framework should be consistent with the motion.
• This framework ordinarily will include a proposed action that
the proposition team will defend.
o
Actor: Who should take this action? Person, group, state,
international organization, etc.
o
Action: What policy should this actor undertake?
• The framework should be a “reasonable” one for debate. Ask
yourself: would an intelligent and competent person agree that
this framework is a reasonable approximation of the motion?
Example of Interpreting a Motion
• MOTION: The PRC should strengthen policies to
enhance worker safety.
• DEFINITIONS: Most definitions are clear. We define
“strengthen” as “to make stronger.” Therefore the
motion asks for a policy that begins with a current
policy and makes it stronger.
• FRAMEWORK: The framework for this debate will be
the following policy proposal.
o
Actor: The Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC)
o
Action: Enact legislation requiring coal mine
operators to pay families of coal miners killed in
workplace accidents 1,000,000 Yuan each.
Principles of Constructing a
Case: Necessity-Policy-Benefits
• A case for the proposition is one or more arguments that
support the framework presented by the proposition team.
• Necessity–Policy–Benefits method of organization
o
NECESSITY: Why should the current policy
change?
o
POLICY: What action is the Proposition taking?
o
BENEFITS: How will the Proposition’s actions
change the situation for the better?
Necessity-Policy-Benefits
• NECESSITY: Is there a need for changing the current
policy? Does the current policy create problems?
o Blame
or Source of Problems:
o What
impediments prevent solving
existing problems?
o What
impediments make existing
problems worse?
Necessity-Policy-Benefits
o Quantity
of Problems:
o What
is the magnitude in the problem
in numbers?
o
o How
many people or things are hurt?
o How
often does the problem occur?
Quality of Problems:
o What
o How
is the “value” of the problem?
severely is it felt?
Necessity-Policy-Benefits
• POLICY:
• Present the action that the proposition
team proposes as an alternative to the
current policy.
• BENEFITS:
• Will the action proposed by the affirmative
team be of any benefit?
• Will it solve or alleviate the problems
occurring because of the current policy?
Example 1:Necessity–Policy–Benefits
• Argument: Increase in Worker Safety
• NECESSITY.
 Coal mine deaths are significant. At least 3,800 people died
in the PRC from coal mine deaths last year.
 Coal mine deaths are out of proportion in the PRC.
China produces 35% of the world's coal yet has 80%
of the world's coal miners' deaths.
 Current policy to pay 200,000 yuan to families of deceased
coal miners does not provide enough of an incentive to
increase mine workers’ safety.
• POLICY
 We propose that The PRC enact legislation requiring
coal mine operators to pay the families of coal miners
killed in workplace accidents 1,000,000 yuan each.
Example 1:Necessity–Policy–Benefits
• BENEFITS.
 The proposition proposes to increase the
fine for a mine worker’s death by five times.
 Such an increase will provide an
economic incentive for companies to
improve workplace safety.
 When worker safety is improved, fewer
accidental deaths will occur.
Example 2: Necessity-Policy-Benefits
• Argument: Increase in Mining Efficiency.
• NECESSITY.
 Chinese coal mines are 8.8% as efficient as
South African coal mines.
 Chinese coal mines are 2.2% as efficient as
American coal mines.
 Miner accidents cause delays in extracting coal.
 Current coal extraction technology is outdated.
• POLICY.
 Coal mine operators must pay the families of
coal miners killed in workplace accidents
1,000,000 yuan each.
Example 2: Necessity-Policy-Benefits
• BENEFITS:
 By increasing the cost of coal miners’
deaths, coal companies will have an added
incentive to invest in advanced mining
technology thus increasing the efficiency
of coal production.
 Greater efficiency helps to ensure steady
energy supplies.
 Steady energy supplies expand the
economy and improve the quality of life for
all Chinese.
In Concluding… A Few Gems of Wisdom
It is better to debate a question without settling it than
to settle a question without debating it. ~ Joseph Joubert
The highest result of education is tolerance. ~ Helen Keller
Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with
an open one.
~ Malcolm S. Forbes
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard
even his enemy from oppression.
~ Thomas Paine, 1795
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.
~ Edmund Burke, 1770
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period
of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.
~ John F. Kennedy