HOW TO DEBATE

In our current age of individuality, where personal feelings are often regarded as the ultimate truth, many are concerned that the art of debate is being lost. Here at the College, we are honing our skills in this ancient art.

Some of the motions in the recent Oxford and Cambridge debate competitions included heated topics such as: Should politicians increase their social media presence? Should the media ban graphic publications of terrorist attacks? Should the government pay homemakers for doing household chores?

Debate is a great opportunity to develop skills such as organisation of ideas, eloquence, empathy and communication. Participation in debating is a strong advantage on a CV or Personal Statement. Interested? Here’s a quick guide to British parliamentary debating:

Motions: a statement that is true from perspective of an average intelligent observer

Each motion will bet slightly different in the way that it is framed For example:

THBT- This House Believes That- analysis motions Don’t expect argument to be legally implemented

THW- This House Would. The government should give mechanisms and provide a policy based argument

Or, the potentially confusing

THR- This House Regrets. Be sure to watch out for double negatives!

By Hannah Sewell

The Teams: There are two speakers from each team, which are as follows:

Opening Government

Prime Minister: this role requires the speaker to define the specific terms of motion, establish that a problem exists and signpost the new material your partner will add Deputy prime minister: rebuild and reiterate the key elements of your team’s position Add depth to the original case by providing additional details, examples, or explanation

There are two speakers from each team

Opening Opposition: Criticise the case you ’ ve just heard Why is the motion itself problematic? State your team’s position and provide reasoning to support it

Closing Government:

Member of government: Avoid contradicting the OG case Present an entirely new argument, or develop an important argument that the OG underdeveloped.

Government Whip: Identify the two or three most relevant concepts in the debate so far. These ideas should serve as the main points of your speech. Avoid making new arguments, and instead give new examples, or framing/weighing of arguments

Avoid contradicting the OG case

Closing Opposition:

Member of opposition: Refute the new material presented by the Member of Government. Look for and exploit contradictions/tensions between the OG & CG.

Opposition Whip: Close the debate Identify two or three crucial concepts of the debate. Argue why your concepts are more relevant than the CG’s concepts

Don’t be alarmed by all the debate jargon!

Point of Information (POI): Short interjection made during a speech, as long as the speaker is not in protected time Phrase them as questions rather than comments, to force the other side to respond.

The chair: the judge selected to run the debate

Preparation

Time: Preparation or ‘ prep ’ time is the period between the motion being announced and the debate beginning.

Rebuttal: Rebuttal is material that directly responds to someone else’s points Squirrel: Defining a motion in a manner contrary to the spirit of the motion and the intended debate.