Asian Parliamentary Style rules and guidelines.

1. Asian
Parliamentary
Debate
Basic Debate Seminar
September 16 & 23, 2009

2. Part One:
MECHANICS
What an Asian
Parliamentary Debate
Looks Like

3. The Basics
 There are 2 teams per  A point of
round, with 3 members information lasts
per side (Government and for a maximum of
Opposition) 15 seconds
 Each speech lasts for  Motions are given
about 7 minutes, with the 30 minutes prior
first and last minute to the debate
uninterrupted
 In the remaining 5 minutes,
members from the opposing
teams can raise POINTS
OF INFORMATION

4. Structure
Government Opposition
Prime Minister Leader of Opp’n
Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Leader of Opp’n
Gov’t Whip Opp’n Whip

5. Part Two:
RULES
The Technical Stuff

6. Motion
• it is the proposition • Motions must
which the Government be defined by
side is supposed to the Prime
defend Minister
– More on this
later under
• there are three types of Speaker Roles
motions:
– Open motions
– Semi-closed motions
– Closed motions

7. Definitions
Each definition MUST: Unfair
– Have a direct link to the
definitions:
motion
Bad or illegal definitions
– Be fair and debatable are usually challenged
– Identify the issues to be (more on this later)
debated and the scope of
the debate (criteria or – Truisms
standard) – “Squirrels”
– Include parameters when – Time/Place
necessary Sets
– Tautologies

8. Rules for
Challenging
• If a definition provided by • LO provides an
the Prime Minister is alternative
judged to be a truism, correct definition
squirrel, time/place set, or which he must
a tautology, a definitional oppose
challenge may be made • Even-if
• ONLY the Leader of arguments for
Opposition may initiate both sides
and issue a definitional • No automatic
challenge wins
• If the LO doesn’t
challenge, NO ONE else
in the debate may do so

9. Team and
Speaker Roles
An Overview

10. Government
provide a clear and reasonable definition
establish the issues and scope of the debate
advance a substantive case
the Prime Minister the Deputy Prime
must: Minister must:
• introduce the • rebut the points of
definition and provide the LO
a link to the motion • Support the
• introduce the case of arguments of the
the OG PM
• introduce substantive • Introduce
material to support substantive
his/her side of the material to support
split his/her side of the
split

11. Opposition
Examine the definition of OG
Challenge or accept the definition
Rebut the arguments of OG
Advance a substantive case the Deputy Leader
the Leader of of Opposition must:
Opposition must: • rebut the points of
• Accept or reject the the DPM
definition and provide a • Support the
link to the motion arguments of the
• Rebut the points of the LO
PM • Introduce
• introduce the case of the substantive
OO material to support
• introduce substantive his/her side of the
material to support split
his/her side of the split

12. Whips
the Opposition Whip the Government
must: Whip must:
• Summarize the debate • Summarize the
debate
• Reiterate and support the • Reiterate and
points of the entire opposition support the points of
side the entire gov’t side
• Introduce fresh examples to • Introduce fresh
support/rebut previously examples to support/
mentioned arguments rebut previously
mentioned
arguments

13. Part Three:
Matter, Manner,
Method
It’s the meat in your
sandwich, the heart
of the matter

14. Matter
Arguments
Rebuttal
POI’s

15. Matter: Definition
Soon to follow:
• The content of the speech. It
is the arguments a debater • What is an
uses to further his or her case argument?
and persuade the audience
• Includes arguments,
reasoning, and examples • Rebuttal
• Includes positive (substantive
material) and rebuttal
• Includes points of information
• Points of
Information

16. What is an
argument?
Arguments must
be backed by:
• the reason why you support • Analysis: go
or oppose a motion beyond the label
and ask the most
important question:
• argument versus premise WHY?
• Examples: use
relevant ones and
DON’T argue by
example

17. Rebuttal
• All speakers, except the Prime
Minister, are expected to
present rebuttal
• Types of rebuttal: How much
– Error of fact rebuttal is too
– Irrelevancy
– Illogical Argument much rebuttal?
– Unacceptable Implications
– Little Weight
– Contradictions and Inconsistencies - Response
triangle

18. POIs!
• Keep it short: You just have
fifteen seconds! How often should I
• It is the discretion of the raise points of
person speaking whether to information?
recognize the point or not
How many points of
• Types of POIs: information
– Clarification should I ask?
– Question
– Direct rebuttal
- Respond to the
– Introducing your argument
POIs you’ve
– Bringing back your argument
accepted

19. Manner
It matters
how you say it…

20. Manner: Definition
• The presentation of the • Some things to
speech. It is the style a keep in mind:
member uses to further – Eye contact
his or her case and – Voice
persuade the audience modulation
• Comprised of many – Hand gestures
separate elements. – Clear and
simple
• There is no correct style language
of debating – Efficient notes
• Don’t be tentative! – Look like you’re
winning

21. Method
Individual Method
And Team Method

22. Method: Definition
• Can be divided into
individual method and
team method
• Individual method refers
to the organization of
your speech
• Team method refers to
the flow and consistency
of the arguments of the
two speakers in a team

23. Two Kinds of
Method
• Individual method:
– Structure your speech Other things to
– Sign-posting remember:
– Time management
• Team method: LISTEN
– Allocate your arguments
properly
– If you are the first speaker, MAINTAIN
give a team split PROPER
– If you are the second CONDUCT
speaker, refer to your
partner regularly