MSPDP Rules
Ms. Chacon
What is MSPDP?
 Middle
School Public Debate Program is a
modified version of parliamentary
debate.
What is a debate?
 Debate:
an organized public argument on a
specific topic.
 What is the difference between a debate and an
argument?
Difference
s
Argument
• Conflict
• Passionate
• Loud angry voice
• Misunderstanding
and
disagreement
• No order or
specific time
Debate
• Reasoning
• Evidence
• Specific time
allotted for each
person
Parliamentary Debate
• Parliamentary Debate loosely follows the same format
of argumentation (process of how a case is
presented) as the U.S. courtroom.
• Proposition Team: Is the first to speak and prove their
case.
• Opposition Team: Must prove that the opposition
The finder
Propositio
Tries to
of facts
team
isProves
wrong.
n
prove the
Opposition
Team
Prosecutor
their case.
Argues
someone’s guilty
of a crime.
Team
Defense
Proposition
wrong.
Must prove
prosecutor
wrong/someone
Judge
Jury
and
decisionmaker.
Makes the
decision of who
of guilt or
innocence
based on facts.
MSPDP Rules to Debate
Topic Rules:
 Topic is announced (2) two to (4) four weeks
before debate.
 Both Impromptu and extemporaneous topics
are both allowed.
* Impromptu: a topic not known before
speech.
* Extemporaneous: a topic you prepare
for
before a speech.
MSPDP Rules to Debate
Number of Teams and Debaters:

1. MSDPS involves two teams the proposition
team and the opposition team.

2.Each team has (3) three speakers.
MSPDP Rules to Debate
Speakers
Time for Speaker
First Speaker-Proposition Team
5 Minutes
First Speaker-Oppositional Team
5 Minutes
Second Speaker-Proposition Team
5 Minutes
Second Speaker-Oppositional Team
5 Minutes
Rebuttal Speaker-Proposition Team
3 Minutes
Rebuttal Speaker-Oppositional
Team
3 Minutes
*Rebuttals: These are summary speeches in which
the debater makes the best case for their side. NO
NEW ARGUMENTS ALLOWED.
Preparation Period
 Extemporaneous
Debate: 20 minutes
preparation and review.
 Impromptu Debate: 30 minutes
preparation and Review.
 Both can consult coaches, speak to
team, and review.
Debate Materials
 Students
may use books, internet, articles,
magazines, etc… ONLY DURING
PREPERATION PERIOD.
 Once debate begins debaters can not
review any materials taken after the
preparation period.
 Any pre-prepared materials are
considered a violation of the rules.
Points of Information
 Point
of Information (P.O.I): Speaker
requests to surrender some time to take a
question or comment from opponent.
(Opponent can accept/reject)



Speaker can only accept one point at a
time.
Person requesting P.O.I. must not interrupt.
Speaker can make a two part question, ask
a follow-up question, or offer another
comment
Heckling
 Heckling:
is slapping your hand lightly on a
desk as to applaud a point. It is a sign of
respect. It can be done for your team or
opponent.
Judge Training
 Judges
must be at least a high school sophomore.
 Judges must be unbiased (neutral).
 Judge determines which team successfully argued
their topic.
 Individual and Team points are awarded.

Argumentation, public speaking, and teamwork skills.
 Debaters
will receive a ballot with score and
comments.