🗺️ Debate Structure
Let's discuss the procedures we follow in a debate.
When we debate, we pretend we are in parliament. The proposition team tries to convince the house (all the members of parliament) to vote in favour of the motion. The opposition team tries to convince the house to vote against the motion.
👍 Proposition Team
The proposition is trying to convince the country to make a decision. They therefore need to build a case showing why their proposal is necessary how the country will benefit. They may want to discuss how their proposal will work in the practical sense. Throughout the debate they have to defend their arguments from attack.
👎 Opposition Team
Opposition's primary task is to engage with the proposition’s ideas and disprove them. They can also build a case to deconstruct important pillars of the proposition’s argument. They might disprove the link between the policy and the expected outcome, challenge the need for a solution, or discuss negative consequences of proposition’s proposal.
🔁 The teams take turns speaking
This gives each team a chance to engage with their opponents. Speakers will either stand at a podium or a desk in the center of the room.
- 1st
Proposition First Speaker
- 2nd
Opposition First Speaker
- 3rd
Proposition Second Speaker
- 4th
Opposition Second Speaker
- 5th
Proposition Third Speaker
- 6th
Opposition Third Speaker
The chairperson controls the house
They sit at the front of the room and follow a script to introduce each speaker. They also caution the audience when they behave badly.
When the final speech is done, the judges will leave the room. While the judges leave, the audience and speakers will stand. The judges will find a private space to discuss the debate. While they deliberate, the teams and audience members will remain in the debate room. The debate will be "open to the floor". The chairperson will allow speakers and members of the audience to express their opinions on the topic.