Modified Presidential Debate:

Annexure 1:
Section 1: Rules of Presidential Debate:
Teams and Their Composition:
A presidential debate involves two teams, each representing opposing
candidates and their respective political parties. Each team consists of
three participants, every person having a distinct role:
1. The President:
The President is the primary spokesperson for their party and
candidate. They deliver the opening speech, define the motion,
present their party's motives, and introduce key arguments. The
President is tasked with embodying the persona of their
candidate, engaging the audience, and setting the tone for the
debate.

2. The Vice President:

The Vice President plays a pivotal role in building on the
arguments presented by the President. They further explore
these arguments, respond to the opposing party's arguments and
rebuttals, and introduce new constructive points. The Vice
President also engages in cross-questioning to challenge the
opposing side effectively.

3. The Party Whip/Party Advisor:

The Party Whip, also known as the Party Advisor, takes on a
unique role. They do not introduce new arguments during their
speech. Instead, their primary focus is on breaking down the
opposition's arguments systematically and reinforcing their
party's stance. The Party Whip plays a critical role in
summarizing their party's position, providing concise summaries
of key arguments.
 Modified Presidential Debate:
Order of Speeches:
The presidential debate unfolds in a structured sequence of speeches
as follows:
1. President Proposition (3 minutes):
The President of the Proposition side delivers the opening
speech. They define the motion, present their party's motives,
and introduce key arguments. This speech sets the foundation for
their party's position.
2. President Opposition (3 minutes):
The President of the Opposition side responds to the arguments
presented by the Proposition side. They articulate their party's
stance, provide rebuttals, and present their own set of
arguments, engaging the audience and countering the
Proposition's position.
3. Vice President Proposition (2.5 minutes):
The Vice President of the Proposition side continues exploring
the arguments presented by the President Proposition. They
address the Opposition's arguments, ask questions of the
Opposition, and introduce new constructive points. This speech
adds depth to the Proposition's position.
4. Vice President Opposition (2.5 minutes):
The Vice President of the Opposition side mirrors the role of the
Vice President Proposition. They respond to the Proposition's
arguments, question the Proposition, and introduce new
constructive points that contribute to the Opposition's strategy.
5. Proposition Whip (1.5 minutes):
The Proposition Whip focuses on breaking down the
Opposition's arguments systematically. They provide concise
summaries of their party's position, reinforcing key arguments
without introducing new ones.
6. Opposition Whip (1.5 minutes):
The Opposition Whip mirrors the Proposition Whip's role. They
concentrate on dismantling the Proposition's arguments and
solidifying the Opposition's position. Like the Proposition Whip,
they do not introduce new arguments during their speech.
 Modified Presidential Debate:

7. Reply speeches (1 minute):

Reply speeches from both the sides, with the opposition team
giving the first reply speech and the proposition team giving the
second reply speech and last speech of the debate.
8. NOTE: Only the Presidents and Vice-Presidents are allowed to
give the reply speeches.
The first bell for all speakers will be rung with thirty seconds left of
speaking time, with a second bell when the time is completely elapsed.
After a further ten seconds, the speaker will be drowned out and no
statements made will be considered in the judging process.
Cross-Questioning:
One of the distinguishing features of presidential debates is the period
of cross-questioning that follows the speeches. This 5-minute
segment allows participants to engage in direct questioning of the
opposing side. During cross-questioning:
• Questions should be succinct and directly related to the arguments
presented by the opposing side.
• Participants are expected to maintain a respectful and professional
tone throughout cross-questioning. Cross-questioning offers an
opportunity to challenge the opposing side's arguments and seek
clarification on their positions.
Section 2: Speaker Roles and Responsibilities:
In presidential debates, each speaker plays a specific role that
contributes to the overall strategy and effectiveness of their party's
presentation. Understanding these roles is crucial for participants to
fulfill their responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the debate.

1. Presidents (Proposition and Opposition):

 Modified Presidential Debate:
Defining the Motion:
The Presidents open the debate by clearly defining the motion,
ensuring that both teams have a common understanding of the topic.
Presenting Motives:
They introduce the primary motives of their party and candidate,
setting the context for their arguments.
Constructive Arguments:
Presidents deliver the initial set of constructive arguments,
establishing the foundational arguments for their party's position.
Persona Representation:
Presidents must skillfully embody the persona of their respective
candidates. This involves not only presenting their candidate's
viewpoints but also connecting with the audience on a personal level.
It's a blend of policy advocacy and character representation.

2. Vice Presidents (Proposition and Opposition):

Building on Arguments:
The Vice Presidents are responsible for building on the arguments
presented by the Presidents. They provide deeper exploration of these
arguments, adding nuance and detail.
Responding to Opposition:
In this role, Vice Presidents respond to the arguments and rebuttals
put forth by the opposing party. They demonstrate their ability to
engage critically with the opposing side's points and provide effective
counter arguing.

Questioning:
 Modified Presidential Debate:
Vice Presidents actively engage in cross-questioning during the
designated segment. They ask succinct, pertinent questions that
challenge the opposing side's arguments and seek clarifications.
Introducing New Constructives:
While Vice Presidents primarily build on existing arguments, they also
have the opportunity to introduce new constructive points that
contribute to their party's campaign strategy. These new points should
align with and strengthen their party's position.
3. Whips (P Whip and O Whip):
Breaking Down Opposition Arguments:
The role of the Whips is distinct. They focus on systematically breaking
down the arguments presented by the opposing party. This involves a
critical analysis of the opposing side's position and arguments as well
proving to the house why their side stands better off.
Consolidation:
Whips play a pivotal role in consolidating their party's stance. They
provide concise summaries of key arguments, reinforcing their party's
position on the motion.
No New Arguments:
It's essential to note that Whips do not introduce new arguments
during their speeches. Their primary focus is on dismantling the
opposition's arguments and solidifying their party's position through a
thorough breakdown of the opposition's case.
Section 3: Introductory Guide to Motions
Characteristics of Presidential Debate Motions:
Presidential debate motions are characterized by several key features
that set them apart from traditional debate topics. Unlike traditional
debate topics that are often presented as standalone propositions,
presidential debate motions come with a rich context or setting. This
context provides debaters with a backdrop against which they must
 Modified Presidential Debate:
frame their arguments and campaign for their party's stance. This
contextualization immerses participants in the world of real-world
political scenarios. Presidential debate motions also typically revolve
around themes that are at the heart of political discourse, including
politics, public policy, governance, and law. These themes reflect the
complex challenges and dilemmas faced by political leaders and
policymakers. As a result, debaters engage in discussions that mirror
the pressing issues of our time.