My notes on how handle a parliamentary debate
Unlike giving a
speech, the debate is about proving a point
To win a debate, you
need to work on :
- Argumentation
- Intimidation
Assuming you are
aware of the roles, let me just pass on some tips
For the complete set of rules, refer : Rule guide
Prime Minister
Say the topic
again and define your house in such a
way that your argument is validated. Explain the terms in the topic and narrow
down the debate. Tell all the points your team is going to say (4-5) and
elaborate on 1-2 main points
For PM, all game
lies in defining the house. Here are some examples:
SAMPLE TOPICS AND
WAYS TO DEFINE HOUSE :
force feeding prisons on hunger strike
'For" can set
the house as : we are British government and bhagat singh is on strike
Should breast
enhancement surgery be banned
'For ' will set
house at : orthodox catholic group
Opposition will set as : we are a group of 6
porn stars
Should cricket be made national sport of
India?
Opposition can set
house as : we are a group of Fifa board chair people
news should be
interesting rather than informative
For can set house as
: we are directors of entertainment magazines
SET UP A MODEL : (Constructive)
Eg : Should breast
enhancement surgery be banned
FOR can propose the
model that the women can wear padded bras instead
Sample problem to think about:
Should Pakistan pay
for childcare of a child of a woman raped by an Pakistan solider during war
LEADER OF OPPOSITION :
be sarcastic. Contradict PM for 2 minutes, put up all the opposition points
and elaborate on 2 of them.
LO can propose an
alternate model or find loopholes in PM's model
Deputy prime minister :
Show why the model by PM is unbreakable, do not make a floating
model. Contradict LO. Elaborate on all the points PM said 1-5
Deputy leader of opposition
break the
points of DPM, keep your case.
POI : point of
information
Do not take more
than 1 POI, it shows you are low on content . Say "Do not hassle me, I am
trying to speak"
Take it when 3
minutes are left. Keep speaking continuously
WHIP : has to
summaries. Do not add new points. Say what you said and why its right. Say what
opposition said and why they are wrong.
Topic : My body my
rights
Key generic point :
- Contradict by body image, brainwash
- Narrow down the topic, do not deviate
- 21 age limit: informed decision making. A young person has some facts but is unable to weight the pro and cons, the long term compounded losses
- democracy
- Limited resources : doctors needed elsewhere
- Community effect: role models. Cycle of decisions
