An introduction to parliamentary debate in the World Schools style

1
An introduction to parliamentary debate in the
World Schools style

• Helen Jarman
• Coach, Team Wales

2
The debate
Chair
Timekeeper
Opposition
Proposition
Audience
3
Order of speakers
No points of information are allowed in summary
speeches
Proposition summary
Opposition summary
4
Speech lengths

• Main speeches are of eight 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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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?

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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?

10
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
• Todays 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.

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Debate and Education

• Debate is used in education by organisations like
  the ESU for three main reasons
• 1. Increasing self-confidence
• 2. Strengthening academic ability
• 3. Raising civic awareness

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The World Schools Debating Championships

• The style of debate we are using here today is
  the one devised for the world championships.
• They have been held since 1988 and have involved
  over 50 countries.
• The next championships will be held in Cardiff in
  summer 2006.

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Going further

• www.britishdebate.com the English-Speaking
  Unions dedicated debate website, focussing on
  the styles of debate used in Britain and Ireland.
• www.schoolsdebate.com the website of the World
  Schools Debating Championships