BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY

DEBATE
Prepared by: Claire Diane O. Bobadilla
BPA-IB

British Parliamentary Debate Format

There are four(4) terms in each round (match)- two teams
representing the Government, and two the Opposition.
Each team consists of two members with an allotted seven (7)
minutes given to each speaker.
The Government supports the motion (the given topic or subject
being debated), and the Opposition opposes it.
As is graphically represented below, the teams are also divided
into the Opening and Closing halves of the Room
The motion of the debate word by word.

British Parliamentary Debate Flow

Decide which team gets to get to pick whether it will choose the topic first or the
side to argue for.
There are generally 3 topics and 2 sides. Sides are called (Government and
Opposition)
You and a partner receive your topic around 10 minutes before the debate
begins.
Points of information can be given to the opposing side when they are speaking.
For every debate, the first and last minutes are protected time, where you
cannot make any Points of Information.
First the opening sides debate. (there will be two opening teams the Opening
Government and the Opening Opposition.

Cont
One person on side government, called the Prime Minister, speaks first.
One person on side opposition, called the Lender of the Opposition , speaks
next.
One person on side government, called the Deputy Prime Minister, speaks next.
One person on side opposition, called the Deputy Prime Minister, speaks next.
The closing sides now debate.
The Member of Government now speaks.
The Member of Opposition now speaks.
The Government Whip speaks.
The Opposition Whip is the last speaker in the debate.

British Parliamentary Debate Rules

Speeches should be SEVEN minutes in duration.
In general most debate are in English.
A bell will be rung after the expiration of one minute and six minutes, the bell
will be rung again at seven minutes and at regular intervals after that.
If the chair of the debate is the head of the of the host society he/she usually
has a title.
Points of information may only be offered after the expiration of one minute
and may not be given after the expiration of six minutes.
In most societies Maiden speakers have the protection of the chair.
Points of order concerning the procedure of the debate must be addressed to
the chair.

Cont
Speakers must observe parliamentary language in example. Bad language is
not permitted.
The use of Props is not permitted in a debate.
You must debate the motion as presented and interpret it as best you can.
The Room, which will often be referred to, is basically the chairperson
competitors audience.
The speakers are evenly divided on both side of the motion.
The opening Prop speaker (sometimes called Prime Minister) has to define
or interpret the motion.
The last speakers on each side is expected to sum up his/her sides argument
of the other side.

Cont
Be careful to avoid leaving statements hanging in mid-air, if you
say something important back it up.
Rebutals is vital in any competitive speech
Specialised Knowledge should not be used to unfairly define a
motion.
Just because you may not be competing this does not mean that
you can take no part in the debate.
Heckling is also common in some debates.

Cont
Private Members Time is a period of time at the start of each
debate where members may bring up a motion or issue that they
wish to see debated.
Speeches here are limited to 3 minutes
Remember you do not necessarily have to believe the side of the
motion you are on.
No matter how bad you think your speech is try to stay up for the
full seven minutes.
You dont have to be genuis for facts and figures to do well.
If you can use humour it can be extremely effective in a debate

British Parliamentary Debate Picture

OXFORD OREGON DEBATE

Oxford Oregon Debate Format

There are two sides in this format: the Affirmative and
the Negative.
The Affirmative proves the validity of the issue or topic
called the Proposition while the Negative disproves it.
Each team has two speakers and one scribe.
A Debate Moderator enforces the rules to ensure the
debates smooth conduct.

Oxford Oregon Debate Flow

Three Speakers from each side

First Affirmative- Constructive Speech
First Negative- Interpellation of the first affirmative Speaker
First Negative- Constructive Speech
First Affirmative- Interpellation of the negative speaker
Second Affirmative- Constructive Speech
Second Negative- Interpellation of the second affirmative
Second Negative- Constructive
Second Affirmative- Interpellation of the second negative

Cont

Third Affirmative- Constructive Speech

Third Negative- Interpellation of the third affirmative
Third Negative- Constructive Speech
Third Affirmative- Interpellation of the third negative
Rebuttal of the Team Captain of the Negative Side
Rebuttal of the Team Captain of the Affirmative Side
Constructive Speech: Minimum of 5 and 7 minutes
Interpellation: Five minutes
Rebuttal Speech: Three minutes

Oxford Oregon Debate Rules

Questions should primarily focused on arguments developed in
the speech of your opponent.
Questioner and opponent should treat each other with courtesy.
Both speakers stand and face the audience during the question
or Interpellation period.
Once the questioning has begun, neither the questioner nor his
opponent may consult a colleague.
Questioner should ask brief and easily understandable question.

Cont
Questioner may not cut off a reasonable and qualifying answer,
but he may cut off a vervous response with a statement such as
a thank you that is enough information or your point is
quite clear or Im satisfied
A questioner should not comment on the response of his
opponent.
Your opponent may refuse to answer ambiguous, irrelevant or
loaded questions by asking the questioner to rephrase or reform
his questioner.

Oxford Oregon Debate Picture