1. A B D U R R A H M A N , M . P D
SUMMARY OF DEBATE

2. DEFINITION
To defend on one side to the
other one by convincing
adjudicators and audience in
certain systematic, methodic,
and logical ways.

3. • Parliamentary & Non-parliamentary
• Parliamentary debates allow Points of
Information (POI) while Non-Parliamentary
debates do not.
• Asian/ Australasian
• 3 members to a team
• POIS are allowed.
• British Parliamentary (World Debates)
• 2 member to team and 4 teams in a
debate
• POIs are allowed
DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES

4. A DEBATE IS JUDGED ON THE
BASIS OF:
1. Matter:
What you present (i.e. the
content)
2. Manner:
How you present (i.e. the
style)
3. Method:
Organisation/ structure of
your presentation

5. ELEMENTS OF MATTER
1. Definitions:
- Set up of the debate
2. Arguments:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant
3. Evidences:
- Must be relevant
- Evidential value
(strength)
4. Rebuttals:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant
- Must be prompt

6. ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE
• Respectable attitude towards the
judges and the other team.
• Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace,
intonation etc.
• Use of notes: not to read a written
text.
• Eye contact.
• Body language: hand gestures,
pacing, standing etc.
• Impression of sincerity.
• Humour, wit, appropriate and
healthy sarcasm.

7. ELEMENTS OF METHOD
- Team structure
- Continuity of team’s theme in all the speeches.
- Consistency among all the speakers (no
contradictions)
- Reinforcement of team members' arguments
- Clear & logical separation between arguments.
- Individual Structure
- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.
- Proper organisation & priority of the arguments.
- Organisation of rebuttals.
- Appropriate timing of the speech
- Summary of the speech.
- Responses to the dynamics of the debate
- Right thing at the right time.
- Ability to follow the progression of and changes in the
debate, and to re-act accordingly.

8. DEFINING A TOPIC
• Explain the key-words in the
topic.
• Identify what you want to prove
and what is your stand. This is
called the theme of your team.
• If there is a measurement
involved, set up the yardstick or
criteria for such measurement.

9. RULES OF DEFINITION
• It must bear a close relation to the motion.
• It must not be truistic.
• It must not employ time or place setting.
• It must not be based on overly specific
knowledge
Characteristics of a Proper Definition:
• Literal with key-words definition.
• Metaphorical definition.
• Issue based &/or specified definition (different
from time-place setting).
Kinds of Definitions:

10. • You can only challenge a definition if it
violates any of the criteria stated
earlier. Frequently used terms in
challenging definitions are: wholly
unreasonable, squirrel, time-place set,
truistic.
• You cannot challenge a definition
simply because you have a more
reasonable or better definition.
Grounds for Challenge:
CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION

11. CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
• Challenge must come from the leader of the opposition, not
later.
• Leader of the opposition must provide an alternative
definition.
• In most of the cases, the teams must introduce an 'even if’
argument.
• An `Even if' argument is not possible in some cases. (e.g.
truistic definition & definition running counter to the
resolution i.e. where govt. has taken the opposition’s case).
• In a definition debate, all the speakers except the PM argue
the following:
• Why challenge?
• Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.
• Even if we are to accept the other side's definition, these are the
weaknesses of their case.
• Positive case under their own definition.

12. • First, identify what you have to prove under the
topic.
• Then, identify what helps you to prove it. Put
them in the format of an argument or a set of
arguments.
• Not everything that you know on the subject is
relevant.
• Anticipate the questions that may be raised
against your arguments and see if you have
good answers to them.
• Block the opportunity for those questions to be
raised by addressing them briefly as you
explain the argument.
• Present the arguments in order of their strength.
• Avoid empty rhetoric and emotionalism - be
rational.
GETTING THE RIGHT ARGUMENTS

13. • Do not rebut the example, attack the very
premise of the argument of the other side. Only
then contrary examples can be supplemented.
• It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to
each argument of the other side.
• Rebuttals should also be in conformity with your
case.
• Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the other
side in order to defend your case.
EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS
Attacks
(Rebut the Arguments)
Defence
(Rebut the Rebuttals)
Rebuttals

14. PROPOSITION/
GOVERNMENT:
TEAMS’ ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
To support the motion
which involves:
• Defining the motion,
• Constructing a positive
case in favour of the
motion,
• Providing substantive
materials and
arguments in support of
the case,
• Responding to any
challenges made to
that case by the
Opposition.
OPPOSITION:
To negate the motion which
involves:
Responding to the
Government's definition,
Constructing a case in
opposition to the motion,
Providing substantive
material and arguments
in support of the
(opposition) case,
Responding to the
arguments delivered by
the Government.

15. • 1st Speaker /Prime Minister
• Defines the topic.
• Gives the case structure and theme.
• Presents own arguments.
• Provides a summary of his speech. (What I've given u so far..).
• 2nd Speaker
• Rebuts.
• Reiterates and defends his first speaker’s arguments.
• Presents own argument.
• Provides a summary of his speech.
• 3rd Speaker
• Rebuts substantially.
• Reiterates and defends his own team's case.
• Provides a summary of his speech.
• Reply Speaker
• Presents a comparative overview of the clash points in the
debate proving why his team’s case stands
SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/ AUSTRALS
PROPOSITION/
GOVERNMENT:

16. • 1st Speaker /Opposition Leader
• Responds to the definition (i.e. Accepts, Rejects
or Clarifies).
• Rebuts the Prime Minister’s arguments.
• Gives the case structure and theme of his team.
• Presents own arguments.
• Provides a summary of his speech.
• 2nd Speaker
• Same as the proposition 2nd speaker
• 3rd Speaker
• Same as the proposition 3rd speaker
• Reply Speaker
• Same as the proposition reply speaker
OPPOSITION:
SPEAKERS' ROLES: ASIAN/
AUSTRALS

17. POINTS OF INFORMATION (POI)
• A POI can be in a question or statement form
and should not take more than 15 seconds.
• Each speaker should accept at least two POIs.
• All three members of the team should try to
give POIs, but they must not be disruptive.
• POIs are judged on the basis of:
- the threat they pose to the strength of the argument
of the debater.
- value of its wit and humour.
• Responses to the POIs are judged on the basis
of:
• promptness and confidence in answering.
• strength of the response.
• value of wit and humour in the response.

18. SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES
Day #1
Understanding a motion together with
your debaters. Remember the key
words in the motion.
Finding the benefits/advantages and
disadvantages of the issue behind the
motion
Discussing them by providing logical
reasons

19. SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES
Day # 2
Reviewing logical reasons
Adding facts/data/information to your
logical reasons
Explaining in one-elaborated speech
where there should be benefits followed
by logical reasons and facts/data/info.
One point of the benefits should be
elaborated in this way.

20. SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES
Day # 3
Returning to the motion and explaining
about basic premise of key words.
Asking your debaters to find basic
premises of some key words.

21. SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES
Day # 4
Learning to make a good definition.
Learning to make a good mechanism
(for THW motion only)
Learning the role of speakers in a
debate team.

22. SUGGESTIONS FOR COACHES
Day # 5
Practicing a debate battle. You act as
the adjudicator.
Giving your verbal adjudication.
Giving suggestions for better
improvements in the next battle.