This document provides an overview of debating formats and guidelines. It discusses the different types of debates including parliamentary and non-parliamentary. Debates are judged based on matter, manner, and method. The roles of speakers in various debate formats are outlined. Guidelines are provided on developing arguments, rebuttals, and responding to points of information. Suggestions are also given for coaches to help debaters understand motions and practice debates.

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.