Introduction to the Asian Parliamentary Debate Format

Summary

The Asian parliamentary debate format features two teams—the Government and the Opposition—each with three speakers who present arguments in a structured order. Each speaker has seven minutes, culminating in two four-minute reply speeches. Topics are selected through mutual ranking of three options, fostering a collaborative yet competitive environment. Points of Information allow for interactivity, enabling questions during speeches, enhancing engagement. Success in debates hinges on strong arguments and effective rebuttals, with the format ensuring fairness and balance. This dynamic structure is ideal for honing debate skills among students.

Takeaways

• 😀 A debate is a structured discussion with specific formats and rules to ensure order and balance.
• 😀 The Asian parliamentary debate format involves two teams: the Government (supporting the topic) and the Opposition (opposing it).
• 😀 Each team consists of three speakers who alternate in speaking order.
• 😀 Each speaker has 7 minutes to present their arguments, totaling 42 minutes for all main speeches.
• 😀 After the main speeches, both teams deliver a 4-minute reply speech, with the Opposition speaking first.
• 😀 Teams select a debate topic by ranking three given topics, with cancellation rules for tied rankings.
• 😀 Points of Information allow opposing speakers to ask questions during the first six minutes of a speech.
• 😀 The speaker can choose to accept or reject these points, which adds an interactive element to the debate.
• 😀 Debates are won by presenting strong arguments and effectively rebutting the opposing team's points.
• 😀 The format serves to ensure fairness and structure while allowing teams to focus on the strength of their positions.

Q & A

What are the two teams in the Asian parliamentary debate format?

The two teams are the Government team, which supports the topic, and the Opposition team, which opposes it.

How many speakers are there in each team?

Each team has three speakers, making a total of six speakers in the debate.

What is the speaking order in a debate?

The speaking order alternates between the Government and the Opposition, starting with the Government.

What is the duration of each speaker's initial speech?

Each speaker has 7 minutes for their initial speech.

How long is the reply speech and who speaks first?

The reply speech is 4 minutes long, and the Opposition team speaks first.

How are topics selected for the debate?

Teams are given three topics to rank, and they compare their rankings to determine which topic will be debated.

What happens if both teams rank the same topic third?

If both teams rank the same topic third, they must flip a coin to decide who gets their first choice.

What are points of information in the debate?

Points of information allow speakers from the opposing team to ask questions or make comments during the first six minutes of a speech.

Can a speaker refuse a point of information?

Yes, a speaker can choose to accept or reject a point of information.

What determines the winner of a debate?

The winner is determined by the strength of the arguments presented, the effectiveness of rebuttals, and the comparison of positions, rather than just adherence to the debate format.