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What
is Parliamentary Debate?
Parliamentary Debate is, as its name suggests, modeled on
the British Parliamentary System. Accordingly, motions begin
with the phrase such as "This House believes that...", or
"This House would...." (Here, "House" means the Parliament).
A team is called either Proposition or Opposition depending
on the side which is given. Both sides are comprised of two
debaters who are modeled members of the House. In the same
way as the Parliament, the Proposition side supports the motion
while the Opposition side opposes it. Debaters of each side
try to persuade adjudicators to vote for his/her side within
a limited period. Debaters shall speak in the following order.
First Proposition Speaker 7minutes
First Opposition Speaker 7minutes
Second Proposition Speaker 7minutes
Second Opposition Speaker 7minutes
Opposition Summary Speech 4minutes
Proposition Summary Speech 4minutes
* Preparation time is 20 minutes in the ESUJ competition.
The First Proposition Speaker defines the terms of the motion
and presents a case for debate. The First Opposition Speaker
must rebut the Proposition's analysis presented by the First
Proposition Speaker, and provide arguments which supports
their side. The role of the members is to rebut the other
side and reconstruct their own stances.
Both speakers on a team can offer Points of Information when
they wish to give or ask for information relevant to what
the opposing speaker on the floor has said in his/her constructive
speech. The speaker on the floor has the right to accept or
decline the point.
The purpose of the Summary Speeches is to crystallize the
whole argument and show adjudicators why his/her team has
won the round. No new constructive arguments may be presented,
although new examples are welcome.
In Parliamentary Debate, emphasis is placed on quick thinking
and logical argumentation. It requires skills and a sense
of humour in order to grab the attention of the audience and
persuade them effectively. However, this is the attractiveness
of the parliamentary debate!
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