ASIAN PARLIAMENTARY

DEBATE
Lecture Seminar
Atty. Jefferson T. Faculanan
WHAT IS DEBATE?
discussion or consideration of
opposing reasons; argument about or
deliberation on a question

a formal contest of skill in reasoned
argument, with two teams taking
opposite sides of a specified question

BENEFITS OF DEBATING
Cultivates quick and multi-
dimensional, logical thinking.
Enhances the ability to develop
reasoned opinions.
Gives a better understanding of the
current events and the world around
us.
Improves self-confidence, speaking
style and command of language.
Enriches your overall leadership
qualities.

GOOD DEBATERS POSSESS
Good knowledge of current issues.
Ability to generate ideas.
Ability to think critically and logically.
Ability to present the ideas
systematically.
Ability to handle culturally diverse and
challenging situations with great ease
and to ones their (own) enjoyment.


DIFFERENT FORMATS OF
DEBATES
Parliamentary & Non-
parliamentary
Parliamentary debates allow Points of
Information (POI) while Non-
Parliamentary debates do not.
Malaysian Conventional
3 members to a team
Topics given in advance
POIs not allowed
American Parliamentary
2 members to a team
POIs are allowed

There two opposing teams in an Asian
format of debate:

1. Government side- proposes and
defends the motion;
2. Opposition side- refute and negates
the motion.
Each side is composed of three
members.
The Members of the government side are the
following:

1. Prime minister (PM)- opens the debate,
defines the motion and advances arguments;

2. Deputy prime Minister(DPM)- refutes at first
instance the case of the opposition, re-
establish the government's claim, and
advances arguments;

3. Government whip(GW)- makes an issue-
based rebuttal of the opposition's case and
summarizes the case of the government.
The Members of the Opposition side
are the following:

1. Leader of the Opposition(LO)- responds
directly to the case of the government by giving a
direct clash, and advances arguments. May
challenge the motion if the definition is
challengeable;

2. Deputy Leader of the Opposition(DPL)- refutes
the case of the DPM, reestablishes the case of
the opposition, and advances an argument;

3. Opposition Whip (OW)- makes an issues-
based rebuttal of the government's and
summarizes the case of the opposition.

Time of Speeches:

Each speaker is allocated seven
minutes to deliver their constructive
speeches. One speaker from each
side (For the Government: PM/DPM,
for Opposition: LO/DLO) is given four
minutes to deliver a reply speech.
The speakers will be speaking in
the following order:

1. Prime Minister
2. Leader of the opposition
3. Deputy Prime Minister
4. Deputy Leader of the Opposition
5. Government Whip
6. Opposition whip
7. Opposition Reply
8. Government Reply
A DEBATE IS J UDGED ON
THE BASIS OF:
1. Matter:
What you present (i.e. the
content)
2. Manner:
How you present (i.e. the style)
3. Method:
Organisation/ structure of your
presentation

ELEMENTS OF MATTER
1. Definitions:
- Set up of the debate

2. Arguments:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant
3. Evidences:
- Must be relevant
- Evidential value (strength)
4. Rebuttals:
- Must be logical
- Must be relevant
- Must be prompt
DEFINING A TOPIC
Explain the key-words in the topic.

Identify what you want to prove and
what is your stand. This is called the
theme of your team.

If there is a measurement involved, set
up the yardstick or criteria for such
measurement.
RULES OF DEFINITION
Characteristics of a Proper Definition:

It must bear a close relation to the
motion.

It must not be truistic.

It must not employ time or place
setting.

It must not be based on overly specific
knowledge.

RULES OF DEFINITION
Kinds of Definitions:

Literal with key-words definition.

Metaphorical definition.

Issue based &/or specified definition
(different from time-place setting).

CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
Grounds for Challenge:
You can only challenge a definition if it
violates any of the criteria stated earlier.
Frequently used terms in challenging
definitions are: wholly unreasonable,
squirrel, time-place set, truistic.

You cannot challenge a definition simply
because you have a more reasonable or
better definition.


CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
Challenge must come from the leader of the
opposition, not later.

Leader of the opposition must provide an
alternative definition.

In most of the cases, the teams must
introduce an 'even if argument.

An `Even if' argument is not possible in
some cases. (e.g. truistic definition &
definition running counter to the resolution
i.e. where govt. has taken the oppositions
case).
CHALLENGE OF DEFINITION
In a definition debate, all the speakers
except the PM argue the following:

Why challenge?

Validity/ invalidity of the two definitions.

Even if we are to accept the other side's
definition, these are the weaknesses of
their case.

Positive case under their own definition.

GETTING THE RIGHT
ARGUMENTS
First, identify what you have to prove
under the topic.

Then, identify what helps you to prove
it. Put them in the format of an
argument or a set of arguments.

Not everything that you know on the
subject is relevant.

Anticipate the questions that may be
raised against your arguments and
see if you have good answers to them.
GETTING THE RIGHT
ARGUMENTS
Block the opportunity for those
questions to be raised by addressing
them briefly as you explain the
argument.

Present the arguments in order of their
strength.

Avoid empty rhetoric and
emotionalism - be rational.

EFFECTIVE REBUTTALS
Attacks
(Rebut the Arguments)
Defence
(Rebut the Rebuttals)
Rebuttals
Do not rebut the example, attack the very
premise of the argument of the other side. Only
then contrary examples can be supplemented.
It is advisable to provide multiple rebuttals to
each argument of the other side.
Rebuttals should also be in conformity
with your case.
Rebut the rebuttals of your case by the
other side in order to defend your case.
Matter, Manner, Method:
Asian Parliamentary Debate is
assessed by an Adjudicator Panel
composed of an odd number
according to the following criteria:
Matter, Manner, Method:
Matter (40)- substance of the debate, the
arguments and evidence presented, and
the logical reasoning and presentation of
said arguments.

Manner (40)- the style of delivery, the
persuasion skills, and the conduct of the
debaters.

Method (20)- the response to the
dynamics of the debate, and the
observance of the rules of debate.
ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE
Respectable attitude towards the
judges and the other team.

Vocal style: volume, clarity, pace,
intonation etc.

Use of notes: not to read a written
text.

Eye contact.

ELEMENTS OF MANNER/STYLE
Body language: hand gestures,
pacing, standing etc.

Impression of sincerity.

Humour, wit, appropriate and
healthy sarcasm.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD
Team structure
- Continuity of teams theme in all the
speeches.

- Consistency among all the speakers (no
contradictions)

- Reinforcement of team members'
arguments

- Clear & logical separation between
arguments.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD
Individual Structure

- Attractive opening/ outline of the speech.

- Proper organisation & priority of the
arguments.

- Organisation of rebuttals.

- Appropriate timing of the speech

- Summary of the speech.

ELEMENTS OF METHOD
Responses to the dynamics of
the debate

- Right thing at the right time.

- Ability to follow the progression of and
changes in the debate, and to re-act
accordingly.

TEAMS ROLES
PROPOSITION/
GOVERNMENT:
To support the motion
which involves:
Defining the motion

Constructing a positive
case in favour of the
motion

Providing substantive
materials and
arguments in support
of the case

Responding to any
challenges made to
that case by the
Opposition

OPPOSITION:

To negate the motion
which involves:
Responding to the
Government's definition

Constructing a case in
opposition to the motion,

Providing substantive
material and arguments
in support of the
(opposition) case

Responding to the
arguments delivered by
the Government

SPEAKERS' ROLES
1st Speaker /Prime Minister


Defines the topic.

Gives the case structure and theme.

Presents own arguments.

Provides a summary of his speech.
(What I've given u so far..).

SPEAKERS' ROLES
2nd Speaker

Rebuts.

Reiterates and defends his first
speakers arguments.

Presents own argument.

Provides a summary of his speech.
SPEAKERS' ROLES
3rd Speaker

Rebuts substantially.

Reiterates and defends his own
team's case.

Provides a summary of his speech.
SPEAKERS' ROLES
Reply Speaker

Presents a comparative overview of
the clash points in the debate
proving why his teams case stands
SPEAKERS' ROLES
1st Speaker /Opposition Leader

Responds to the definition (i.e.
Accepts, Rejects or Clarifies).

Rebuts the Prime Ministers
arguments.

Gives the case structure and theme
of his team.

Presents own arguments.

Provides a summary of his speech.
SPEAKERS' ROLES
2nd Speaker

Same as the proposition 2nd
speaker
SPEAKERS' ROLES
3rd Speaker

Same as the proposition 3rd
speaker
SPEAKERS' ROLES
Reply Speaker

Same as the proposition reply
speaker

POINTS OF INFORMATION
(POIs)
A POI can be in a question or
statement form and should not take
more than 15 seconds.

Each speaker should accept at least
two POIs.

All three members of the team should
try to give POIs, but they must not be
disruptive.

POINTS OF INFORMATION
(POIs)
POIs are judged on the basis of:

- the threat they pose to the strength of the
argument of the debater.

- value of its wit and humour.

Responses to the POIs are judged on the
basis of:

promptness and confidence in answering.

strength of the response.

value of wit and humour in the response.

ALWAYS REMEMBER
SPEAKERS ARE
NOT BORN,
THEY ARE
MADE.