Guide to British Parliamentary University Debating

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CONTENTS

What is debating?3
Outline of a debate4

How to set up a debating

society in your college or university 5

Inter-varsity debating7

Rules of British Parliamentary University Debating8

Guide to the different roles and skills

within a British Parliamentary. Debate10

Appendix 1

Notes for a chairperson

(incorporating the rules of a show debate)16

Appendix 2

How to chair a meeting18

Appendix 3

How to take minutes19

Appendix 4

How to write a press release20

What is debating?

This guide aims to provide a brief introduction to the world of university debating, which can help readers to set up debating societies in their own universities, and to enter into and enjoy the competitive inter-university debating scene.

Let us begin by defining the terms.

Debate (n.) [2] Contention in argument; dispute, controversy; discussion: esp. the discussion of questions of public interest in Parliament or in any Assembly. (OED)

Debating (vbl. sb.) [b] attrib., as in debating society, a society whose members meet for practice in debating.

Everyone has engaged in debating at some point, from childish squabbles to pub chats of philosophical depth. Debating societies are simply an extension of this, where issues are considered at scheduled times instead of arising naturally out of conversation.

Debates have been a feature of democracy and civilised society from Athens onwards. Government and opposition parties debate, appeal to the undecided to support them, and put their proposition to the vote. Persuasive speaking has therefore always had a real significance in history, as many great orators have won support for their legislation or ideas through the success of their speeches.

The British Parliament has given birth to two forms of debating in the country today, Show debating and Competitive debating.

Show debating is practised in university unions, where students and/or invited guest speakers put forward two sides of a controversial topics to win the votes of the audience. These events are good nights out as well as exciting ways of encouraging people to take up debating. Many will involve celebrity or expert speakers who provide great entertainment and insight into the important issues of the topic.

Competitive debating is the practice of debating in its purest form: tournaments consisting of several debates on set topics in front of panels of trained adjudicators, who evaluate the most persuasive speakers according to set criteria. University tournaments are held almost every weekend in Britain and Ireland between October and March. In some cases prize money is awarded, in others only prestige is at stake.

"Parliamentary" debate loosely describes the format of debate practised in the UK, Ireland, Canada, parts of the USA, Australasia, Asia and many other countries, where debaters are judged as if they were persuading an audience of lay-people. "British Parliamentary" is a specific format, used in the UK and at the World Universities Debating Championships, and will be discussed later in this guide.

So, why debate?

There are many reasons why university students debate. The social life is great, with show debates giving a chance to meet guest speakers and many other students. Equally, competitive debating tournaments involve students from all over Britain and Ireland, and further afield for some tournaments, meeting up for intensive debating, and almost as intensive partying. Debating Societies are set up to allow students to participate in this global activity which looks great on the CV and is a perfect excuse to travel the world!

The Outline of a debate

Generally, a topic for debate is given by the society or tournament organisers in the form of a motion, which uses the phrasing of the House of Commons, eg. "This House believes that money is the root of all evil", “This House would legalise cannabis” etc.

The Proposition team argues in agreement with the motion as it is phrased, and the Opposition team against. One speaker from the Proposition is given their chance to speak, then one from the Opposition, then another from the Proposition, and so on until everyone has spoken.

The Chairperson has the job of ensuring that both teams are given a chance to speak by impartially making sure that the rules of the debate, whatever they may be, are followed. He or she also acts as a master of ceremonies, introducing the topic for the motion, the speakers, and any sponsors or judges, as well as inviting contributions from the audience after all the speakers have concluded their speeches. A brief guide example for Chairpersons can be found at the end of this guide in Appendix 1. In all debates some time will be given to the floor debate, this is when members of the audience can make comments and ask questions of the teams.

An important element to note in any debate is that both sides of the motion are given an equal amount of time to convince the audience that their position is the correct one. The Chairperson is primarily responsible for ensuring this equality, but is often assisted by the timekeeper who is responsible for the accurate timing of each speech, so that signals can be given at the appropriate points.

A point of information is a formal part of a debate: it is an interruption by a member of the non-speaking team to the speaker who has the floor at that time. These interruptions can often liven up a debate, and keep all the speakers involved in the debate until the end. However, the speaker controls the debate whilst they are speaking, so may choose to accept or decline an offered point. In competitive debating points of information (p.o.i.’s) are limited to the middle minutes of a speech, as will be explained below. In show debates it is up to the society to decide whether they wish to allow p.o.i.’s at all, and if they do whether from the audience or just the speakers, and at what point during the speeches, eg. each speaker could be given a ‘protected’ first minute to lay out their case before being open to interruptions. Often points of information are phrased as questions e.g. ‘Isn’t it true that…’ or ‘How can you defend…’, and can be deadly rhetorical weapons if used in the right way at the right time.

A good debater, whether in a show debate or in competitive debating, should use rebuttal in their speeches. This is the answering of the other side’s arguments using what they have said to undermine their side of the debate. Debaters should be prepared to respond to the arguments of their opponents, as this is where the drama of debating becomes obvious. Rebuttal is one of the most convincing tools available to a speaker and is at the heart of a good debate!

For examples of motions for show debates it is often useful to get ideas from other organisations, such as the Oxford and Cambridge Union Societies, both of whom have excellent web-sites. For examples of motions found in inter-university tournaments and are useful.

For more information about debating in general, and upcoming debating events visit the web-site of the Wales Debating Federation which was founded to promote and organise debating in universities and schools across Wales. The Wales Debating Federation can provide support, expertise and literature to any university debating society in Wales in being set up, and competing in inter-university debating tournaments.

How to set up a Debating Society

in your College or University

A debating society, which can hold regular debates within the college and organise teams which may be sent to inter-varsity tournaments, is an important element in university debating. Every debating society is different, although all rely on the work of members to organise and publicise their activities.

(1) The first task is to enlist the support of the university or college authorities and the student union. The authorities may be able to provide financial support to a new society, which is vital if members wish to attend tournaments, and if the expenses of a show debate are to be covered. Similarly, the student union may be able to help in allowing the society to use union rooms for meetings or debates, financial aid, and in gaining publicity.

(2) An initial meeting must then be organised. This event should be well publicised, perhaps with advertising at freshers' fairs, in department buildings and lectures, and student publications. This meeting should have the aim of gaining members, and ascertaining the expertise of such members. Perhaps such an initial meeting could be accompanied by a show debate to gain publicity, and give potential members a taste of debating.

Here are some of the elements a debating society may want to consider:

Meetings

It is up to the society to decide how often debates are held. It will depend on the level of interest, and many other factors. However, time should be given to planning how the group will work, what motions would be fun and how to get others involved. Further, weekly show debates, or internal competitions between members of the society, ensure a consistently high profile for the society within the college or university. The regular activity allows the society’s members to recruit further members, whilst maintaining the speakers own skills as debaters.

Finance

Debating is potentially an expensive business.

Show Debates – Typically, guest celebrity or expert speakers are not paid for their time, but are paid travel expenses, given a meal and drinks before and/or after the debate, and are provided with overnight accommodation if required.

Inter-Varsity Tournaments – Usually, university debaters are paid a portion of their travel expenses, after a personal contribution from individual speakers. The proportion of personal contribution to society funding is, however, a determination for the society to make. The society should, however, pay the entry fees for all such tournaments, which may range from £25 - £50 per team.

Sponsorship – Individual show debates, a series of show debates, within university debating tournaments, and even attendance at external competitions are potential events for which sponsorship may be received. Large companies, and local companies are often interested in gaining publicity amongst the types of students which are attracted to debating. E.g. A show debate on a legal topic may attract sponsorship from a law firm; a bank may be interested in sponsoring a series of economic debates etc. In approaching potential sponsors a debating society must:

  • Provide an estimated budget of the event proposed;
  • Demonstrate to the sponsors what they will get from participating in the event, the estimated audience at a show debate for instance.
  • Most importantly, not be shy or pessimistic in outlining the plans for the society’s future successes.

Further, the university union or authorities may provide grants to a society, in the same way that such grants are provided to sports teams and other societies.

Officers

All well-run debating societies have certain positions of responsibility. These can be elected for a length of time (say a term or an academic year) at a designated meeting. It is up to the group to decide what positions are needed, but the following are a few suggestions:

President - to have overall responsibility for the society and ensure that all work is completed and everyone knows what they are doing, whilst acting as a figurehead in outside relations. A guide to chairing meetings, an essential task for a President, can be found at the end of this booklet in Appendix 2.

Secretary - to keep an official minute of meetings and debates and of the decisions and votes taken, and to notify officers of upcoming meetings. A guide to minute-taking is provided at the end of this booklet in Appendix 3.

Treasurer - to monitor any money and expenditure.

Publicity Officer - to co-ordinate advertising and media relations. A guide to writing press releases is provided at the end of this booklet.

Director of Debating – to have responsibility for competitive debating, the coaching of debaters, and the co-ordination of entries into inter-varsity tournaments.

Rules of the Society

All debates need some rules. These guide the speakers and ensure a fair debate. At the end of this booklet are example rules of a show debate in Appendix 1. These can be used as a starting point, but can be changed to suit the debate and speakers. Some speakers, particularly those new to debating may be more willing to try debating if the time for each speaker is reduced, or there is a limit on points of information. You may wish to have three or more speakers on each side. Whatever is decided, it is important that the speakers and others are absolutely clear on the rules.

Inter-Varsity Debating

Although there are several variations on the format of debate which is used in competitions around the world, the form used in Britain and Ireland, and in the World University Debating Championships, is known as British Parliamentary debating.

It is relatively easy to get involved in debating tournaments in other universities, as from October to March these so-called ‘inter-varsity’ tournaments (IV) take place almost every weekend. Traditionally each debating society holds its own IV annually as a method of fundraising, although this may be difficult for a new society to do in its first few years.

The vast majority of IVs take place on Friday evening and all day Saturday, with so-called ‘crash’ accommodation being provided on the bedroom floors of the host institution’s debaters. Most IVs provide free, or heavily subsidised, alcohol on both Friday and Saturday night, dinner, and often lunch and breakfast on the Saturday. Most IVs provide cash prizes for the winning team and the best individual speakers. For the details of the entry fees of upcoming tournaments, their dates and contact addresses visit and

There are four teams in a British Parliamentary debate. IVs will typically involve five rounds of debates for all teams over the Friday and Saturday, followed by two semi-finals, and a grand Final, so every team is guaranteed a minimum of five debates at least. Some IVs obviously will have more or less than the usual five. The adjudicators at every IV are themselves expert debaters who, along with other competitors in the tournament, are always keen to share their knowledge and skills of debating with speakers who are new to debating and IVs.

Most motions in tournaments will involve a mix of topics, from international affairs and domestic political issues (such as the role of the UN Security Council, or mandatory voting), to social and legal issues (homelessness, or criminal sentences), and from science (Genetically Modified foods) to the environment (the Kyoto Protocol). Guidance as to potential motions and topics, as well as examples and sources of arguments can easily be found on the internet from news sites, or pure debating sites such as

Next is a quick summary of the rules of British Parliamentary Debating, and what is important in a debating speech of any type, particularly suitable for IVs. This is followed by a more detailed analysis of the roles of each speaker in a British Parliamentary debate, and is essential reading for any prospective IV competitor.

Rules of British Parliamentary University Debating

1.1)In each debate there are 4 teams: 2 in proposition, 2 in opposition. Each team consists of two people. Each team of 2 works independently prior to the debate itself. The order of speeches are as follows:

i)First prop team, first speaker

ii)First opp team, first speaker

iii)First prop team, second speaker

iv)First opp team, second speaker

v)Second prop team, first speaker

vi)Second opp team, first speaker

vii)Second prop team, second speaker

viii)Second opp team, second speaker

1.2)Each speaker has five minutes to speak (this can be changed, you will be told at tournaments how long speeches are but this is the usual length). The first and last minutes are 'protected time.' During this time no Points of Information (P of I) may be asked.

1.3)Points of Information: P of I are questions or points made by the opposition to challenge the speaker - you should accept at least one P of I during your speech but no more than two – ideally you should accept 2. The judges will mark you down if you take too few or too many P of I. When offering a P of I it should be short and to the point. They should never be more than 10 seconds. Remember, the person speaking is in charge - they can decline or accept P of I's whenever they choose and they can tell you sit down before you have finished this point - this happens if the questioner is taking too long (don't worry if you're cut off unfairly, judges will take account of this). In a debate always ensure you offer plenty of points (although you may not be accepted at all you must at least try - you are marked down for offering too few P of I). Finally, never barrack. Barracking occurs when the opposition excessively offers P of I's to the extent such that the speaker is unable to continue sensibly with the speech.