Parliamentary Debate Orientation

1. Parliamentary Debate Orientation

2. Volunteers make it Happen! • Thank you!! • We can’t do this without you • You are performing a teaching role in the lives of our students • YOU make it possible for young people to learn these skills

3. Parliamentary Debate • Based on the British House of Commons • Covers a wide range of topics: current events, social issues, and philosophy • Parli debates tend to be witty, oratorical, engaging, and entertaining! • You are in for a treat!

4. Qualifications for Judging • You already participate in communication activities • It is the speaker’s job to communicate with you • It is not your job to be a debate expert • Our goal is for our students to speak to “the thinking man and woman on the street” - that’s you! 

5. Debating the Resolution • Two opposing teams argue an idea: • Government (upholds the Resolution) • - Prime Minister • - Member of Government • Opposition (opposes the Government) • - Leader of the Opposition • - Member of the Opposition • Debaters do not choose the side of the resolution that they will defend

6. Parli Specifics • A different resolution is used for each round of debate • There are different types of resolutions • It is up to the teams to interpret and explain the resolution • Students are given “prep time” prior to the debate • Allowed to access resources • May only bring handwritten notes into the round

7. Parli Specifics • The debaters are responsible for making their ideas clear to the judge, including: • Debate theory • Details of the topic • Organization of the round • It is up to the debaters to persuade you how to vote and why

8. What to Expect • Number of Judges: • Odd number of judges per room (1, 3, 5, or more…) • Timekeeping: • Debaters may keep time • Tournament may provide a timekeeper • “Debater’s Greeting” • Debaters may ask you for your judging philosophy

9. Role of the Judge • Set aside personal bias • Judge the round on the issues debated in the round • Decide which side best supports their position • Cast a vote (for Government or Opposition) • Provide written feedback on the ballot

10. Audible Feedback • Judges and observers are allowed to provide audible feedback respectfully during the round • “Hear, hear!” • “Jolly good!” • Feedback should not be distracting or “drown out” the speaker • Audience feedback should not influence the judge’s decision

11. Before the Round Begins The ballot has space for the four names of the debaters –make sure the names are filled in before the round starts! When the debaters introduce themselves, identify and circle their speaker position. If the resolution is blank, you can capture it before the round.

12. Round Structure • Order and Timing of Speeches • 7 min. Prime Minister’s Constructive • 7 min. Leader of Opposition’s Constructive • 7 min. Member of Government Constructive • 7 min. Member of Opposition Constructive • 5 min. Leader of Opposition’s Rebuttal • 5 min. Prime Minister’s Rebuttal • The round will take about 38 minutes. • In Parli, there is NO PREP TIME between speeches!

13. “Points of Information or Order” • Exchanges between debaters during the round • Interaction should be respectful and constructive • Debaters will handle these exchanges • May or may not affect your ballot

14. Points of Information • POI – Content Unlimited • debater rises and waits to be acknowledged • Poses a question or makes a brief comment • no “right number” of POIs • Speaker at the podium has the right to decline POI • Not allowed in protected time (1st and last minute) • Timer does not stop for the exchange

15. Points of Order • POO – rules related • Debater rises and says “Point of Order” • Speaker must yield and respond • Judge may comment or not • Allowed at any time during the round • Timer will stop for the exchange • May or may not happen in the round

16. Flowing = Note Taking System • Flowing • Organizes the ideas in the round • Use flowsheet or plain paper • Just a tool • Not to be turned in • The right note taking system is the one which allows you to: • Absorb the presentation • Reach a conclusion & cast a vote • Give the debaters written feedback

17. Flowing the arguments

18. When the round is over… • Immediately following round, take your ballot to the designated area for completion • Don't ask questions or give verbal feedback • Don’t disclose your decision • Don’t solicit opinions about the round from anyone

19. The Speed Ballot • Speed Ballots help us keep the tournament on time! • Instructions are on the bottom half of the ballot • Turn the Speed Ballot in once you’ve decided: • Which team to vote for • Speaker points & ranking 2 25 3 21 1 26 4 20

20. The Regular Ballot • Two Independent Decisions: • Vote for Government or Opposition • Double Loss = disciplinary only • Reward individual speaking ability

21. The Ballot: Speaker Points • Evaluate the Speakers: • Total Speaker Points • Rank speakers • Speaker points determine rank • Speaker points may be tied • Break ties with rank • Lower speaker points may win round 25

22. The Ballot: Feedback • On the regular ballot: • Add feedback for each speaker • Add your Reason for Decision • Tournament staff will be available to answer questions 25 21 26 20

23. Reason For Decision • Provide written feedback to the debaters! • Your teaching investment in our students • Judge the round based upon issues discussed in the round: • Set aside personal bias/opinion • Be prepared to vote for a position you do not hold • Decide based on how well each side argues for their position

24. Turn Your Ballot In • Take your completed ballot to the Ballot Collection Table. • Please wait while the Ballot collection team double-checks your ballot for you. • After your ballot is turned in, please notify the Ballot Administration table if you would like to judge the next round! • THANK YOU FOR JUDGING!