Helen Jarman, An Introduction To Parliamentary Debate

parliamentary debate
The debate
Chair Timekeeper
Proposition Opposition
Audience
Order of speakers
No points of
information
are allowed
in summary
speeches
Proposition Opposition
summary summary
Speech lengths
 Main speeches are of 7-8 minutes in
length.
 The first and last minutes are marked by
signals from the timekeeper.
 In between those signals members of the
other team may offer a speaker ‘Points of
Information’.
 Summary speeches are four minutes in
length with no points of information.
Points of information
 A point of information is a request to briefly
interrupt the speaker currently ‘holding the floor’
with a question, observation or argument
relevant to what is being said at the time.
 The speaker may choose to accept or decline
the point of information.
 Offering and accepting some points of
information shows that the speaker is engaged
with the debate and able to think quickly about
their arguments and those of their opponents.
The elements of a Parliamentary
debate speech
 Content – what the speaker is saying

 Style – how the speaker is choosing to say
it
 Strategy – how successfully the speaker
presents his arguments within the context
of the formal debate
SExI arguments
 Statement, Explanation, Illustration – the SExI way of
making arguments.
 Example: “THW use more nuclear power”

 Statement: “It is better for the environment”

Explanation: “Nuclear power does not produce CO2,
unlike fossil fuels. CO2 causes global warming, so we
so should try to reduce its production. Therefore,
nuclear power is better for the environment”.
 Explanation: “Countries like France who rely heavily
on nuclear power are much closer to meeting their

commitments to reduce CO2 emissions under the
Kyoto treaty than countries like Germany who do not
use nuclear power”
For good style minimise
interference
1. Physics. Can the audience hear the speaker?
2. Psychology. Does the speaker make people want to

listen to her?
3. Linguistics. Is the speaker using terminology in a way

that everyone in the audience will understand?
4. Emotion. Is the speaker using the kinds of words the

lead an audience to feel the right way about an idea?
5. Rhetoric. Does the speaker use the same techniques

that poetry and music use to inspire people?
Strategy
 Choice of arguments.
 Team Work.
 Use of P.O.I.
 Does each speaker listen to the
arguments of the other side and try to
disprove them?
 Is a speaker able to adjust what they are
saying?
The Motion
 In recognition of the Parliamentary origins of debating,
the audience are taken to form ‘the House’, and so all
motions begin “This House…”
 Today’s motion is:
“This House believes that Europe will never

be truly united until it shares a common
language.”
 You, the audience, will have to decide to vote to affirm

that belief, or to reject it. The speeches of the two sides
exist to help you make your mind up.
Debate and Education
 Debate is used in education by for three
main reasons:
1. Increasing self-confidence
2. Strengthening academic ability
3. Raising civic awareness
 Parliamentary debate is extemporaneous debating on topics that
change from debate to debate.
 There are two speakers per team, and two teams in a debate.

 One team is called the proposition team -- The GOVERNMENT.
 This team supports the motion for debate by making a specific
case for the motion.
 The other team is called the opposition team. This team opposes
the proposition team’s case for the motion.
 Contestants debate a wide variety of topics drawn from current
events, contemporary culture, domestic and international issues,
politics and philosophy.
 The proposition team has the burden of making and defending a
specific case for the motion for debate.
 The opposition team argues against that case by showing that the
case should not be upheld because it is wrong, dangerous, ill-
informed, or some combination thereof.
 Topics are normally announced 20 minutes before the beginning of
each debate.
 Debaters may consult materials during their designated preparation
time, but once the debate has started; they may not use any materials
prepared prior to the announcement of the topic.
POINTS OF INFORMATION
 One unique and dynamic feature of parliamentary debating is the use
of points of information.
 A Point of Information is a request by one or more debaters on an opposing
team to the speaker holding the floor to yield a portion of her speaking time
for a brief statement or clarifying question.
 To make a point of information, one or both members of the opposing team
rise and announce “Information” or “Point of Information”.
 They may also signal non-verbally that they wish to make a point of
information, for example, by extending an
 arm forward in the air.
 The speaker then has the discretion to accept or refuse the point. If the
point is accepted (“I will take your point,” for example), the opposing team
member directs a statement (often an argument or counterexample) or
question to the speaker.
 If the speaker refuses the point (for example, they might say “No thank
you.”), the opposing team member must sit down, as they do not have the
floor.
POI
 The speaker is technically yielding time from her own speech for the
point of information and the time for the point is deducted from the
speaker holding the floor.
 Points of Information must be concise statements or questions,
lasting no more than fifteen seconds.
 The speaker accepts a single point; the opposing speaker is not
permitted to make following questions or arguments unless again
recognized by the speaker holding the floor.
 Points of Information can only be offered after the first minute and
before the last minute of any speech.
 The judge, “Speaker of the House”, or designated timekeeper
knocks on a desk or table or otherwise announces that one minute
of each speech has elapsed and that one minute of each speech
remains, so that the participants know when Points of Information
may be presented.

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parliamentary debate

 Content – what the speaker is saying

 Example: “THW use more nuclear power”

on nuclear power are much closer to meeting their

2. Psychology. Does the speaker make people want to

3. Linguistics. Is the speaker using terminology in a way

4. Emotion. Is the speaker using the kinds of words the

5. Rhetoric. Does the speaker use the same techniques

 Today’s motion is:

“This House believes that Europe will never

 You, the audience, will have to decide to vote to affirm

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