 A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution.

A formal debate
involves two sides: one is supporting a resolution and one opposing it. Such a debate is bound by
rules previously agreed upon.

 Structure for Debate:

A formal debate usually involves three groups:

 One supporting a resolution (affirmative team)

 One opposing the resolution (opposing team)
 Those who are judging the quality of evidence, arguments and performance in the debate

The affirmative and opposing teams usually consist of three members each. In addition to the three
specific groups, there may an audience made up of class members and others who are not involved in
the formal debate.

 Conducting Debate:

Debate opens with the affirmative team (the team that supports the resolution) presenting their
arguments, followed by a member of the opposing team. This pattern is repeated for the second
speaker in each team. Finally, each team gets an opportunity for rebutting the arguments of the
opponent. A typical sequence for debate, with suggested timelines, is as follows:

 The first speaker on the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution.

 The first speaker on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the resolution.

 The second speaker on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the
resolution, identifies areas of conflict and answers questions that may have been raised by the
opposition speaker.

 The second speaker on the opposing team presents further arguments against the resolution,
identifies further areas of conflict and answers questions that may have been raised by the
previous affirmative speaker.

 The third speaker on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the
resolution, identifies areas of conflict and answers questions that may have been raised by the
opposition speaker.

 The third speaker on the opposing team presents further arguments against the resolution,
identifies areas of conflict and answers questions that may have been raised by the previous
affirmative speaker.

 The opposing team begins with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing arguments and
to defeat the supporting arguments without adding any new information.

 Then affirmative team begins with the rebuttal.

 There cannot be any interruptions. Speakers must wait their turns.

 The debate ends after 34-44 minutes.

 Speaker Speaker Responsibilities Time

 Defines and interprets the motion 5 minutes

Prime Minister  Develops the case for the proposition

 Accepts the definition of the motion

Leader of Opposition  Refutes the case of the 1st proposition 5 minutes
 Constructs one or more arguments against the Prime
Minister’s interpretation of the motion

 Refutes the case of the 1st opposition

Deputy Prime Minister  Rebuilds the case of the 1st proposition 5 minutes
 May add new arguments to the case of the 1st proposition

 Continues refutation of case of proposition

Deputy Leader of Opposition  Rebuilds arguments of the opposition 5 minutes
 May add new arguments to the case of the opposition

 Defends the general direction and case of the proposition

 Continues refutation of opposition team
Member of Government  Develops a new argument that is different from but consistent 4 minutes
with the case of the proposition (sometimes called an
extension)

 Defends the general direction taken by the opposition.

Member of Opposition  Continues general refutation of proposition case 4 minutes
 Provides more specific refutation of opposition
 Provides new opposition arguments

 Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the

opposition, defending the general view point of both
Opposition Whip opposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 3 minutes
opposition
 Does not provide new arguments.

 Summarizes the entire debate from the point of view of the

proposition, defending the general view point of both
Government Whip proposition teams with a special eye toward the case of the 3 minutes
proposition
 Does not provide new arguments.

 Points of information

Points of information provide opportunities for members of each team to interact with members of the teams
defending the opposite side of the motion. Points of information can be requested after the first minute of a
speech and prior to the last minute of the speech. The first and last minute of each speech is “protected” against
interruption. The point of information can last no more than fifteen/twenty seconds and may take the form of a
question, a statement, or an argument.

Only a debater defending the opposite side of the proposition as the speaker can request a point of information.
In other words, the debaters for the proposition can request points of information of members of the opposition
teams and vice versa. To request a point of information, a debater rises and politely says something like “point
of information please,” or “on that point.”

The debater giving the speech has the authority to accept or to refuse the request for a point of information. In
general, debaters should accept a minimum of two/three points during their speech so that the judges and the
audience will know they are able to answer points quickly and directly. Accepting more than one or two points
is not advisable because to do so may have the effect of disrupting the speech. To refuse a point of information,
the debater may say something like “No thank you” or “not at this time,” or may simply use a hand gesture to
indicate the person should take return to their seat.

If the request for a point of information is accepted, the person who has requested the point has a maximum of
fifteen/twenty seconds to make the point. As stated earlier, the point can be a question, a statement, or an
argument. Sometimes points of information are made to force an opponent to clarify a position but more
commonly, they are made to attempt to undermine an argument being made by the speaker.

After accepting a point of information, the speaker should answer the question directly. The person offering the
point of information is not allowed to follow-up with additional questions.

 Point System:

Each team will get points for:

1. Relevance - speaking to the topic, using strong and persuasive arguments.

2. Promptness - quick responses to all questions.
3. Fluency - speaking readily without pauses.
4. Engaging of all members in the debate.
5. Correct grammatical structures.
6. Vocabulary - its richness and width.
7. Pronunciation.

 Disqualification is for:

1. Using different language during the debate

2. Not speaking about the topic
3. Interrupting the debate by not asking relevant questions or not answering them
4. Breaking the ethical code of the debate (using offensive language and colloquial slang)
5. Using a dictionary during the debate