The Debating Society

Introduction

The Roles of the Various Speakers

Points of Information

Some Futher Suggestions

The Structure of Debates

St Dunstan’s Short-Preparation Debates

The following guide should enable you to understand more clearly the aims and the structure of a formal debate. It takes as its basis the rules for the Observer Mace competition and would thus have to be modified to fit the various idiosyncracies of the various competitions you might be likely to encounter.

Firstly, it is worth bearing in mind what it is that you are actually trying to achieve in a debate. The following points might help to clarify those aims:

1. You have to argue a particular case so effectively as to change someone else’s mind;
2. You have to counter the arguments which the opposing team will be using;
3. You have to speak effectively within the boundaries, rules and conventions as stipulated for each competition.

Secondly, you must remember that debating is very much about working as a team. You need to support, clarify and build upon the points that your partner has made (or will make).

Thirdly, you will never get very far in debating if you depend for your own security on a written out or well-prepared speech. You must develop the skills of thinking on your feet, responding to points as they are raised and engaging in an argument – an informed and contested bout of verbal sparring.

Bearing these general principles in mind, the advice that follows should help you to become an informed, eloquent and – most importantly of all – winning debator.

In general these speeches should follow the plan for the proposition as outlined above. However, it is good practice to include some rebuttal at the start of the speech. Fot perhaps the first minute of their speech the opposition speakers should engage in dismissing the proposition’s arguments.

You can make these any time during the speeches from the other side except during the first and last protected minutes.

Without there being any hard and fast rules, I would offer the following guidelines:

1. Make sure you are fully standing and say very clearly ‘On a point of information’.
2. If you are speaking do not allow yourself to be distracted. Finish your point and then say: ‘Yes please’ or ‘No thank you’ (it sounds so much more polite than ‘Rejected!’.)
3. Points of Information should be very brief – one concise point only, around three sentences in length and then sit down. This cannot be stressed enough.
4. Answer them – ideally with a put down – briefly and clearly and then continue with your speech. A brief reminder may be in order: I was arguing that …
5. In the course of a speech you might expect to take two or three points of information. After this do not have any qualms about saying politely but firmly ‘No thank you’ (although you should never say ‘I won’t be accepting any more’!!)
6. You should not look upon these points as an opportunity to jump up and interrupt your opponents as often as possible. Two well chosen interruptions during a speech would be far more effective.
7. Remain calm: good debators look upon the points of information as an opportunity to engage in live and spontaneous debate.
8. If you have accepted a point of information, do not then go on to ignore it. Try and form a brief, yet precise reply and then move on.

1. It is a very good idea to have a sheet of quotations on the desk in front of you. These can prove very effective as material for points of information and evidence to use in rebuttals of your opposition’s points.
2. You must always have cards with you to make notes on – this is particularly important if you are charged with the responsibility of making the reply/ summary speech.
3. Make sure you always have evidence to back up statements you wish to make, as the opposing team will jump on any oppourtunity to discredit your argument.
4. If the debate is of a more light hearted nature, try to include some well placed humour. The audience may react very well to a joke or two, however, remember it is a debate and not a comedy act.
5. Make sure your arguments are well ordered and well structured. Do not be afraid to leave a pause at the end of a sentence, to indicate the end of one statement and the beginning of another.
6. If given the oppourtunity, try to use the space of the platform. Do not hide behind a desk, but try to move occasionally, this shows the audience you have both confidence in yourself, and your arguments.
7. After receiving questions from the floor, try to make a note of the exact question, and who asked it. You will then be able to reply to them in your summary speech.
8. Try to take a different angle on the argument to your partner, so your argument is not repetitive.

1. 1^st speaker for the proposition, (You will have 7 minutes to speak, with a protected minute at the beginning and after 6 minutes);
2. 1^st speaker for the opposition (Timings as above);
3. 2^nd speaker for the proposition;
4. 2^nd speaker for the oppostion;
5. Time for speeches from the floor;
6. Around 1 minute for the summary speaker to prepare their final speech;
7. The summary and reply speaker for the opposition;
8. The summary and reply speaker for the proposition;
9. The floor votes;
10. Judgement.

The format above will be followed except that:

• Teams will have twenty minutes to prepare the motions before each debate;
• Speeches should be 4 minutes long with protected first and last minutes;
• The summary speeches should be 1½ minutes long (audible knock after 1 minute).