DEBATE 101

The Orators
What is a debate?
A structured argument
2 sides ; Government vs Opposition
Provide convincing argument (no right / wrong)
Asian Parliamentary (3 v 3), British Parliamentary (2 v 2)
 Types of debate
Fact
Based on observations or
experience rather than a theory
i.e: Global warming threatens
agricultural production
Value
Based conflicting moral
dilemmas
i.e: This house believes that
death penalty is a justified
method of punishment
Policy
Based on the decision of a
course of action like
implementing a law
i.e: This house as the United
States federal government
would implement a poverty
reduction programme for its
citizens.
How to win a debate?
Burden of proof when advocating to change the status quo
(present system) – policy debate
Clashes between 2 parties (gov v opp)
Speak confidently
BE PERSUASSIVE!

PROBLEM – ACTION – SOLUTION /

RESULT
Speakers’ role
GOVERNMENT
1. Prime Minister (PM)
To propose the motion & introduce the side’s
argument
To define the motion (no ambiguity)
To introduce the side’s speakers’ role
2. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)
To support the PM’s argument (extension)
To provide more arguments for side gov
To rebut OL’s arguments
3. Government Whip
To rebut all arguments given by opp side
To sum up the gov’s case
OPPOSITION
1. Leader of Opposition (LO)
To oppose the motion (counter-propose)
To introduce the side’s argument
To introduce the side’s speakers’ role
2. Deputy Leader of Opposition (DLO)
To support the LO’s argument (extension)
To provide more arguments for side opp
To rebut PM & DPM’s arguments
3. Opposition Whip
To rebut all arguments given by the gov side
To sum up the opp’s case
Content
1. Stance
i.e: THW punish smokers in public
2. State the problems that leads to the preposition / the problem that would arise
3. State actions to be taken
4. Elaborate on the solutions / results to be achieved