Debating Chapters 5 & 6 PDF

Chapter 5: How to Un i t I I : debate (Arguments, a t i ng Rebuttals, and POIs) D eb Chapter 6: Speaker Roles  TWO SIDES* IN A DEBATE Government Side Opposition Side...

Chapter 5: How to Un i t I I : debate (Arguments, a t i ng Rebuttals, and POIs) D eb Chapter 6: Speaker Roles  TWO SIDES* IN A DEBATE Government Side Opposition Side (Affirmative) (Negative) proposes and refutes and defends the motion negates the motion *some debate formats have opening and closing teams in each side Roles of each side Government Side Opposition Side (Affirmative) (Negative) Defines the motion Analyzes and responds to Provides contextualization the definition of the Govt Provides the clash of the Outlines the case of the Opp government Advances arguments Advances arguments Provides rebuttals and POIs Provides rebuttals and points of information (POI) Case Preparation Definition Contextualization GOVT Arguments Definition analysis OPP Clash Arguments  GOVT OPP Prep time management Case preparation time is always limited (Asian Parl has 30 minutes; BritParl has 15 minutes Use time effectively 10 minutes (1/3 of prep time) to list and organize your ideas on the motion and your assigned side 10 minutes to discuss with your teammates which arguments will the team be discussing in the debate and assignments of speaker roles 10 minutes to wrap your structure and finalize your speech (especially if your are the PM/LO) Case Preparation GOVT Definition Definition is an interpretation of the motion in a debate. The 1st speaker of the affirmative team is responsible for providing the definition early in their speech. The purpose of the definition is to set clear parameters for the debate. It determines what the teams will be debating about and where the direction of the debate will go. The definition is important as it serves as the foundation for the entire debate. A well-crafted definition is crucial for both the affirmative team's case and the overall debate. Case Preparation GOVT Defining a motion 1. Identify key words and define each of them. 2. Defining the key words does not mean giving the literal meaning of the words in it 3. Define by providing solid foundation or situational setting 4. Definition should remain the motion debatable to avoid definition challenge by the opposition Unfair definitions Definitions that are prone to definitional response/challenge from Opp Truism – does not allow to debate to happen; self-evident; obvious truth Squirreling – no logical relation with the actual meaning of the motion or the words in it Tautological – circular logic Time/place set – bringing debate with in a particular time and space with no significant issue. Definition which is based upon controversies that have been resolved is also unfair. Opposition’s options OPP on definition (in case that Govt’s definition is unfair/faulty) Accept and debate Challenge Broaden Even-if  Opposition’s options on definition Accept and debate (1st option) - Accept the definition anyway. If Govt’s definition leads into expected issue from the Opp and allows Opp to put forward their arguments and examples they are intending, there is no point to argue over the precise words the Govt has used. Challenge (2nd option) - Argue that the definition is unreasonable. Broaden (3rd option) - The option to neither accept nor reject outright the definition. This option from the Opp asks for supplementary defining the motion. Broadening the definition could mean that the Govt’s definition may have omitted important words in the motion. “Even If” response (4th option) - Both reject and accept the definition. It involves: Rejecting the govt’s definition as unreasonable and explaining why Putting up an alternative (and reasonable) definition, then proceeding to advance arguments and example based on this Argue that “ever-if” Govt’s definition was reasonable, its arguments do not prove what is alleged. Case Preparation GOVT Contextualization Problem identification Status quo Goal and proposed solution Room of Debate Stance Case Preparation | Contextualization GOVT Problem identification a situation or a reality referred to as bad and what the debate will want to solve extreme enough to show real urgency of the topic to be discussed but not also burdening to the affirmative team help the first speaker to set up the direction of the debate, let the negative team, the adjudicators and the audience know what the debate is all about and why the motion worth debated E.g. THW privatize NAIA’s operations and assets A problem identification could be as simple as “the services that the current NAIA management has been providing do not maximize cost” Case Preparation | Contextualization GOVT Status Quo refers to the state of policy surrounding the problem Govt must prove that the Status Quo is either the cause or has omitted the problem Questions to answer include: What is the current situation and/or what event related to the topic that has occurred recently? Does the motion refer to general setting that can apply in every country/every society, or does it refer to a more specific setting? Has something been proposed in relation to a controversy? What is the issue that this debate is all about? E.g. THW privatize NAIA’s operations and assets Status quo could be “the operations, maintenance and assets of NAIA are currently managed by the government” and then explain the mechanism of the Status Quo Case Preparation | Contextualization GOVT Goal and Solution “Goal” is something that is to be achieved “Solution” is the proposed policy or mechanism or the “Model” Room of Debate (ROD) The purpose is to restate and clarify the standard of proof that each team must adhere to. An ROD statement is declaring that “the debate is about whether or not the Proposed Solution can achieve the Goal/solving the Problem”. Stance “Stance” states where Team Government stands in the ROD. Opposition negation (Clash) Oppo is to observe to what Govt is bringing by OPP setting up a proper negation and properly engage by clarifying missing elements Oppo should evaluate whether Govt had clearly presented interrelated terms Problem Identification and Status Quo, Goal and Proposed Solution Two types of clash: (Choose only one!) As Opp, explain either: 1) Status quo is better that government’s proposal; or 2) Status quo is bad, thus proposing an alternative Arguments and GOVT OPP Rebuttals Argument - a group of claims that we call premises which are given as reasons to believe that a certain conclusion is true Rebuttals - also a form of argument, but specifically designated as a counter towards another argument, attempting to prove the fault in that argument  GOVT OPP Structuring Arguments Assertion : A statement of claim or premise. Title Reasoning : An explanation as to why that claim is true. Analysis The ‘because’ of your statement. Evidence : Give supporting facts to strengthen the Example/ reasoning. Evidence Link-back: A conclusion of the entire argument as to why it Tie-back proves/negates the given motion. This will highly relate to the consistency and relevance of the argument towards the debate. ARE TAE - L Tieback  GOVT OPP Types of rebuttals 1) Substantive and formal a) Substantive - meant to counter the reasoning of the targeted argument b) Formal - questions the existence of the argument within the debate (pointing out inconsistencies, contradictions, irrelevancies) 2) Offensive and defensive a) Offensive - targets an opponent’s argument and aims to prove that their argument is incorrect b) Defensive - essentially a rebuttal towards a rebuttal (saving an argument/case) Points of information GOVT OPP (POIs) During the speeches, POIs may be raised by the opposing side after the first minute up to the sixth minute. POI may be refused or accepted by the speaker. POIs should last at the maximum length of 15 seconds, thus must be delivered very concisely. POIs are raised to ask for clarity on certain points, give a brief rebuttal towards the speaker, challenge the opponent (to answer something or provide facts)  GOVT OPP Functions of POI 1. To ask for clarity on certain things. This may done in order to avoid misunderstandings on both teams’ cases. 2. To give a simple rebuttal towards the speaker. Sometimes, teams avoid giving this type of POI because it gives an extra chance for the speaker in front to defend himself/herself, while waiting for your own turn will give the opponent less of a chance to answer. 3. Challenging the Opponent. Sometimes, one can challenge a speaker to answer something or provide certain facts which are very substantial. Requesting and GOVT OPP Accepting POIs 1. Accept POIs at appropriate times and in moderation to avoid disruptions during your speech, considering waiting until the end of a sentence and limiting the number to two or, if manageable, three. 2. Respond promptly and effectively to demonstrate mastery of your speech while maintaining a composed demeanor. 3. Offer POIs politely by standing up, raising one hand, and using phrases like "Excuse me, Sir/Mam" or "Points of Information, Please?" without disclosing the content of the interruption to ensure a respectful and orderly debate environment. Tips and Tricks: POIs GOVT OPP 1. If you do not understand, admit and apologize; then continue your speech. Do not ask them to repeat the POI. 2. Stay cool and confident if you really cannot answer. 3. You may cut off a POI if you have already understood their point but have not finished speaking while it is spending a lot of your time. However, it is best to maintain politeness while doing so. 4. For POI givers, be careful in picking your words and only use what is necessary, or else the speaker might use it to their advantage.