CHAPTER 1

Structure (Asian Parliamentary Debate)

Asian Parliamentary
Teams
3 Debaters (per team)
2 Teams (per debate)
At least 1 Adjudicator (per room)
Structure: Room Setup
Structure: Room Setup
Structure: Room Setup
Structure: Room Setup
Structure:
Speaking
Order
Structure: Timing

Substantives
UNPROTECTED TIME: POIs ALLOWED

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7.20

PROTECTED TIME: NO POIs ALLOWED

Reply Speeches
1 2 3 4 4.20
RULEs to remember
Electronic Devices Printed Material
 No phones  Allowed During Prep Time
 No Computers  Not During Speech
 Only Dictionaries

Help from coach or teacher Time Management

When preparation begins you are on your own. Debate Preparation 30 mins
NO ONE is allowed to help you. Adjudicator Decision: 15 mins

 What do you do if you don’t understand the motion? Oral Adjudicator: 7 mins each

 Ask a member of the adjudication core, and we will

explain to you *** Timing is strictly controlled***

Penalty: You could get disqualified from the tournament

CHAPTER 2

The debate
The Debate: Motion
The Theme
Every round has a theme.
Debaters are expected to follow the theme when discussing the
motion.
The debate must have a direct link not only to the motion, but
also to the theme of the round

Example
If the motions is “This house would fight fire with fire” , and
the theme is International Relations defining the motion to
talk about military action on cross boarder conflicts makes
more sense than talking about death penalty for murderers
The Debate: Motion
What is a motion?
A clearly worded statement that announces the topic to be
debated in the round
Types Of Motions
1. THBT (This House Believes That)
2. THW (This House Would)
3. TH (This House)
The Debate: Team Roles

Proposition Opposition

• Support the motion & • Go against the motion

give a definition • Realize the problem,
• Realize the problem but go against PROP’s
and propose a proposal
solution/change • Provide counter-
• Provide model or model or alternative
mechanism (the • Stick with status quo
detailed • Engage with Pro. side
implementation
process)
• Engage with Opp side
The Debate: Point of Information (POI)

1. STRICTLY no longer than 20 seconds

2. POIs (point of interests) are
1. Points of clarification
2. Points of Contention
3. Stand up
4. No hackling
5. Chair controls the room
Chapter 3:

Judging a debate
Judging: Who is an Adjudicator?

 Is an average reasonable person

 At least university degree
 Has no specific knowledge on issues
A fairly logical person, and listens to reason
 Does not have a personal attachment to the motion
 Ispolitically correct (penalizes hate speech or any
personal attacks by debaters)
Judging: Who is an adjudicator?

 Avoid Entering Debates

 Your specific knowledge about an issue should not
influence your decision
 Yourpersonal biases is not a reason to base your
judgment on
Judging: Assessment of clashes

 Adjudicators listen to material presented in the

debate, and the debate alone
 Ignores personal opinion towards and issue, and
judges the debate objectively
 What do you do when you notice factual errors
 What about debates against your own moral
values?
Judging: Entering a debate

 In judging don’t use:

 Specific Knowledge you have about an issue
 Personal values as a basis for judgment

***Judge debates ONLY based on what is being presented

to you***
Judging: Elements of debate
Matter Manner
Persuasiveness
 Matter  Facts 

 Logical reasoning  Clarity

 Manner  Analysis  Body language
 Method  Case studies  Eye contact
 Responsiveness
 Up to date information

Method
 Technicality of debate
 Timing / Time allocation
 Role fulfillment
 Discipline
Judging: Weighing and Prioritizing clashes

1. What is the most important clash in the debate?

1. Who presented it and how well?
2. What are the burdens of proof?
3. Which side responded better to the
developments through the debate
Judging: New Matter & Late Development
of Matter
 Constructive Speeches
 PM, DPM, LO, DLO
 Substantive speeches
 Whip Speakers
 Reply Speeches
 No new ideas
Judging: Marking Guide & Margin
 What are the range?  Margin

Total Meaning Margins Meaning

0.5-3.5 A very close debate with
68-70 Poor only minor differences
separating the teams
71-73 Below
Average 4-7 A relatively clear debate
with one team having an
74 Average or
obvious advantage
Expected
Standard 7.5-16 Trashing. A very clear win
with the losing team failing
75-77 Above
on one or more fundamental
Average
aspects of its argument or
78-80 Excellent presentation
Q & A?