PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE 2.
Thematic definition – it requires that the
Debate – talk or argue something, think about
something, talk about something at
length and in detailed, especially as
part of formal exchange of opinion.
- Game of the intellectuals.
Debaters are expected to possess:
1. breadth of knowledge
2. quick wit
3. clear and straight-to-the-point arguments
4. logical analysis
5. common sense
Procedures
In parliamentary debates, the house is
divided into Government and Opposition. The leader
of the government is called the Prime minister; the
second speaker is called the deputy prime minister.
On the other side the opposition first speaker is
called the Leader of the opposition. The second
speaker is called the deputy leader of the opposition.
The third speaker of both sides are called rebuttal or
whip speakers.
Team Roles
The Government
It is the duty of the government to give a
reasonably debatable definition to the given motion at
a level understandable to the AVERAGE
REASONABLE PERSON. It is the government’s duty
to define the motion in such a way that the opposition
is given an ample space to promote a reasonable
clash. Finally, it is the duty of the government to
forward a case that will be faithful to spirit of the
motion, and to rebut the case presented to the House
by the Opposition.
The Opposition
The primary duties of the opposition are to
clash with the case forwarded by the government and
to present a case that will discredit the government’s
arguments.
Setting Parameter
The parameter in a parliamentary debate
includes at least four elements: (1) the definition; (2)
the link; (3) the theme; and (4) the team split.
How to define?
Definitions should be consistent with the
spirit of the given motion.
1. Word for word definition – is based on giving
the meaning of only the significant word in
the motion
theme of the motion be identified and be
made the central issue of the debate. This is
applicable to metaphorical debate.
Definitional challenge
There are four instances when the need for a
definitional challenge arises:
1. when the definition is tautological;
2. when the definition is squirreled;
3. when the definition places the debate in a
particular time and/ or place;
4. when the definition is truism.
Tautological definitions – from the meaning of the
word, arise when a debater uses the meaning of the
motion to argue for the motion.
Squirreled definitions – the debater takes the motion
and scurries away with a definition totally out of the
spirit of the motion.
Time-Placed Setting – a debate cannot be focused
on a particular time, especially if it happened in the
past, or on a particular place that no one ven knows
exists.
Truisms – one cannot debate on anything that is true.
The truth value of any given motion is gauged by
empirical evidence and commonly accepted
knowledge.
How to challenge the definition?
1. The LO should state explicitly and as soon as
possible that they are challenging the motion.
2. The LO should forward his own definition to
the motion.
3. The LO should state briefly why they
challenge the definition.
Although challenging the definition has the at times
been proven useful in debates, the options should try
to challenge should be taken as the last one. The
opposition should try to avoid challenging the
definitions as much as possible.
Speaker Roles
The Prime Minister
- give a reasonable definition to the motion
understandable to the Average
Reasonable Person and avoid truistic,
tautological, squirreled, and time-placed
definitions;
- link the definition to a debatable topic;
- give the theme of the case and identify
the track along which the government will
tackle its case;
- give the Team Split
- prove his case by giving one or two
arguments, several examples to prove
the arguments;
- signpost the second speaker to prepare
the adjudicators for the second half of
their case.
The Leader of the Opposition
- raise the necessary questions that arise
out of the definition, the parameters, and
the split;
- rebut the arguments forwarded by the
PM;
- negate the case of the government;
- set up the Opposition’s case by giving
the theme, explaining the method by
which the case will be proven, and
stating the necessary disclaimers that will
be useful in the oppositions attack;
- state the split
- Argue and prove his side of the case by
giving one or two arguments, several
examples to back up the arguments.
- Signpost his second speaker to prepare
the adjudicators for the second half of the
case.
The Deputy Prime Minister
- rebuild the case of the government in
case of damage caused by the LO’s
questioning and rebuttal;
- Rebut the arguments forwarded by the
LO;
- Remind the House of the government’s
theme by restating it and further
explaining it.
- Build his part of the case by presenting
two to three arguments, several
examples to prove the arguments.
- Summarize his case
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition
- rebuild the case of the LO in case of
damage caused by the DPM’s case and
rebuttal;
- rebut the arguments presented by the
DPM;
- build his case by presenting two to three
arguments, several examples to prove
the arguments.
- Summarize his case
The Rebuttal/ Whip Speakers
The Rebuttal speakers are considered to be
both the clean-up and demolitions “experts” of either
team. It is their foremost responsibility to “lay ashes”
the entire case of the opposing side.
- Give a point by point rebuttal of each
speech made by the opposing side.
- Make sure that the premises which serve
as the foundations of the other side’s
case are adequately dissected and
invalidated;
- Make sure that every damaging example
forwarded by the other team is
discredited;
- Rebuild his side’s case by reiterating
every major point and providing fresh
examples to further prove their
arguments; and
- Provide closure to the debate.
The Reply Speakers
The reply speech is a biased adjudication of
the entire debate.
Judging Criteria
Matter
Valid arguments, in-depth analysis of the
issue in the debate, employment of examples
relevant to the case, timeless and relevance of POI’s
and through rebuttal. The overall matter accounts fifty
percent of the total score of the team.
Manner
The conduct by which the speech was
delivered, the gestures, the facial expressions, the
rise and tone of the voice, the use of appropriate
words, and the overall credibility of the speaker.
Manner also accounts for fifty percent of the total
score of the team.
Method
The logical organization of ideas, the clear
presentation of arguments and examples, the unity in
content and delivery of individual speakers, and
consistency of the team as a whole.