This document provides an introduction to the format of British parliamentary debate. It outlines the key components of a parliamentary debate, including the motions or topics that are debated, the order and roles of the eight speakers (prime minister, leader of opposition, etc.), and how debates are evaluated. The main points covered are: (1) Debates involve four teams of two debaters each who are assigned to support or oppose a motion. (2) Speakers present arguments in a set order, with specific roles like defining the motion or rebutting opponents. (3) Points of information can be offered to other speakers. (4) Debates are evaluated based on the strength of arguments rather than speaking ability.

1. Introduction to British
Parliamentary Debate
China Debate Education Network:

2. British Parliamentary Debate Format
 I. Motions
 II. Procedures
 III. Order of Speeches & Speaker Titles
 IV. Speaker Roles & Responsibilities
 V. Points of Information
 VI. How your debate will be evaluated

3. Motions
 -- Motions: For & Against
A motion is a statement provided by the Tournament Director that will
become the subject of the debate. A motion is sometimes called a
debate topic, a resolution, or a proposition.
 -- Examples

4. Examples of Motions
 1. This House believes that College students should have part-time jobs.
 2. The Younger Generation Knows Best.
 3. China should ban tobacco products.
 4. Money is the Most Important Thing in Life.
 5. This House believes thatWomen should earn equal pay for equal work.
 6. It is a Good Thing to Live in a Modern City.
 7. China should institute real estate price tighening in second-tier cities.
 8. Cars do more Harm than Good.

5. Procedure for Each Debate
 Positions of teams are posted on the “draw.”
 Motions announcement to all teams
 15-30 minutes preparation
 Teams of the same side do not prepare with one another, nor can
they consult their teammates or teachers
 Debate begins
 Timing

6. Timing
 7 minutes for each speech
 Protected Time: First and last minute
 A single knock on table or sounding of a bell
announces protected time
 double knock or bell signals the end of your
speech.
 Your speeches will be timed by a timekeeper or
by the judge

7. Four Teams
 Teams Members:
4 Teams --- 8 Debaters
Upper House --- Lower House
 Government:
 Supporting Motion
2 upper Government Speakers
2 lower Government Speakers
 Opposition:
 Arguing against Motion
2 upper opposition Speakers
2 lower opposition Speakers
 Upper House
Government Opposition
For Motion
Against
 Lower House

8. Names of Speakers
Upper House (Opening)
 Prime Minister
 Leader of the Opposition
 Deputy Prime Minister
 Deputy Leader of the
Opposition
Lower House (Closing)
 Member of Government
 Member of Opposition
 Government Whip
 Opposition Whip
 Upper House (Opening)
 PM LO
 DPM DLO
 MG MO
 GW OW
Lower House (Closing)

9. Order of Speakers
Upper House (Opening)
 Prime Minister, 1st Government Team
 Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition Team
 Deputy Prime Minister, 1st Government Team
 Deputy Leader of the Opposition, 1st Opposition
Team
Lower House (Closing)
 Member of Government, 2nd Government Team
 Member of Opposition, 2nd Opposition Team
 Government Whip, 2nd Government Team
 Opposition Whip, 2nd Opposition Team
 Upper House (Opening)
 PM LO
 DPM DLO
 MG MO
 GW OW
Lower House (Closing)

10. Points of Information
 POI --- Point of Information
Who --- a member of an opposing team;
What --- comments, statement, question…;
How to offer --- by rising and extending hand
or by saying “on that point, Sir/Madam”
 NO POI --- protected time (the first and the last minute);
 Time --- 15 seconds or less

11. Speaker Roles and Responsibilities

12. 1st Speaker -- Prime Minister
--- Defines and interprets the motion
Defining ambiguous terms
Interpreting focuses the motion so
it is clear and debatable
--- Develops a case for the proposition in
support of the motion
--- Case should consist of one or more
arguments supporting the PM’s
interpretation of the motion
--- Case must be prima facie—strong
enough to be accepted on “its first face.”
Upper House

13. 2nd Speaker: Leader of Opposition
 -- Accepts the definition of the motion
 -- Refutes the case of the first Government
 -- Construct one or more arguments against the
Prime Minister's interpretation of the motion
Upper House

14. 3rd Speaker -- Deputy Prime Minister
 -- Refutes the case of the first opposition
 -- Rebuilds the case of the first Government
 -- Adds one or more new arguments to the case of
the first Government
Upper House

15. 4th Speaker –
Deputy Leader of Opposition
-- Continues refutation of case of 1st
Government with emphasis on any
new arguments introduced by the
DPM
-- Rebuilds arguments of the 1st
opposition.
-- Adds new arguments to the case of
the 1st opposition.
Upper House

16. 5th Speaker –
Member of Government
 --Defends the general direction and case of the
1st Government
 -- Continues refutation of 1st opposition
arguments
 -- Develops a new argument that is different
from but consitent with the case of the 1st
Government (frequently called an extension) Lower House

17. 6th Speaker –
Member of Opposition
 -- Very briefly defends the general
direction taken by the 1st opposition
 -- Very briefly continues general refutation
of 1st proposition case
 -- Provides more specific refutation of the
MG extension.
 -- Develops an opposition extension.
Lower House

18. 7th Speaker – Government Whip
 --- Summarizes the entire debate from the
point of view of the proposition
 --- Defends the general view point of both
proposition teams with a special eye toward
the case of the 2nd proposition.
 --- Does not provide new arguments.
Lower House

19. 8th Speaker – Opposition Whip
 --- Summarizes the entire debate from the point of
view of the opposition
 --- Defends the general view point of both
opposition teams with a special eye toward the
argument of the MO.
 --- Does not provide new arguments.
Lower House

20. How You Will Be
Evaluated and Adjudicated
 In general, you will be evaluated on the strength of your
arguments.
 Although your speaking ability influences how adjudicators
respond to your arguments, they still will focus on the
 Usually a panel of adjudicators although sometimes a single one
 An odd number of panel, usually 3 members
 One Chairperson/Speaker (designated by the organizers)
--- This person will introduce and manage the debate
--- This person also announce the result & comment on the
whole debate

21. THANK YOU!