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Introduction to University Debating

University debating encompasses various formats, with British Parliamentary and Asian Parliamentary debating being prominent styles. These formats provide platforms for students to hone their critical thinking, public speaking, and analytical skills.

British Parliamentary Debating: A Deeper Dive

Structure:

  • Four 2-membered teams:
    • Opening Government | Opening Opposition
    • Closing Government | Closing Opposition

Speeches:

  • 8 x 7 minute speeches

Preparation Time:

  • 15 minutes

Speaker Order (Government vs. Opposition):

  1. Prime Minister
  2. Leader of Opposition
  3. Deputy Prime Minister
  4. Deputy Leader of Opposition
  5. Government Whip
  6. Opposition Whip
  7. Opposition Reply
  8. Government Reply

Asian Parliamentary Debating

Structure:

  • 3v3 - Government vs Opposition

Speeches:

  • 6 x 7 minute speeches + 2 x 4 minute reply speeches

Preparation Time:

  • 25 + 5 minute preparation time

Common Elements & Strategic Features

Points of Information (POIs):

  • Questions that the opposite bench can ask speakers during their speech.
  • Maximum time per POI: 15 seconds.
  • Protected Time: Cannot ask POIs during the first and last minute of a 7-minute speech (i.e., POIs can be asked between 1 minute and 6 minutes).
  • Strategic tool used by opening half teams to engage with closing half teams.
  • POIs are a feature of Asian Parliamentary Debating too.

Vetoes (for motions/topics):

  • Each round has 3 topics.
  • Teams rank motions based on strategic preferences.
  • Least preference = veto (i.e., motion will not be debated).
  • Scenarios:
    • Both teams veto different motions: Motion #1 ❌, Motion #2 ✅, Motion #3 ❌ (Motion #2 is debated)
    • Both teams veto the same motion: Motion #1 ❌❌, Motion #2, Motion #3
      • If both teams have the same first preference, that motion is debated.
      • Else, coin toss to choose between #2 and #3.

Types of Motions

A classical overview for debaters

This House regrets (THR):

  • The proposition is required to present the negative consequences of a particular event or trend and then present the world had that event or trend not happened.
  • Opposition teams then have to explain why the event/trend was beneficial and why the alternative would have been worse.

This House Believes (THB):

  • This is an analysis motion.
  • A mechanism is generally not required.
  • Arguments are for the truth or falsity of a particular statement.

This House Supports/Opposes:

  • This House Supports: Policy motions
  • This House Opposes: This House Regrets motion but in the present tense

This House as X:

  • Actor motions
  • This motion requires all teams to look at the policy/event/trend from one specific point of view.
  • Debaters are required to consider the best interests of the actor.

This House Would (THW):

  • This is a policy motion.
  • The proposition is arguing for the passing of specific policy.
  • Opening Government has a lot of latitude in deciding aspects of the policy:
    • Who is implementing said policy
    • Where it is being implemented in the policy

Understanding Debate Motions

This article delves into the intricacies of debate motions, specifically dissecting "This House Believes That" (THBT) and "This House Would" (THW) formats. We'll also explore crucial concepts like "Mechanism" and "Fiat" that underpin effective argumentation.

1. Types of Motions

  • THBT = This House Believes That
  • THW = This House Would

2. THBT = This House Believes That

  • Basic motion type: Argue for or against a given action/policy.
  • Principle/Pragmatic: Explain why the action is moral, or why it has positive impacts on a specific actor/society.
  • Metrics: Set clear metrics to measure the harms and positive impacts of the action.

3. THW = This House Would

  • Would = Action: In 'THBT' motions you argue if a notion/value is right or wrong. A 'THW' motion requires each side to justify the action that is being carried out by the side.
  • Mechanism: Teams define a plan that achieves the outcome of the motion in order to defend the "how".

4. What is Fiat?

Fiat = scope of the assumptions and claims that each side can make within reasonable boundaries.

  • While drafting policies, both sides make reasonable assumptions about how much they can change and how different actors respond to that change.
  • When proposition claims that they can regulate drug sales to prevent overdoses, opposition cannot question it until there is logical analysis to refute it.
  • To ensure fairness, opposition can exercise the same amount of fiat i.e. they have the ability to crack down on blackmarkets to the same extent as drug dispensaries are regulated.

Understanding More Debate Motion Types

This article expands on debate motions, introducing "This House, as X" (TH, as X), "This House Regrets" (THR), and "This House Supports/Opposes" (THS/THO) formats, providing deeper insights into their unique argumentative requirements.

1. Types of Motions

  • This House, as X
  • THR = This House Regrets
  • THS/THO = This House Supports/Opposes

2. This House, as X, would do...

  • "As X": X often refers to the specific actor who is either carrying out the policy or who's interests must be fulfilled.
  • Incentives: Every action is motivated by a need to reach a specific end goal that is beneficial for the actor. Teams must explain what the end goal is, why this is the most important end goal for the actor, and how exactly it gets achieved.

3. Example Motion: TH, as women from privileged backgrounds, will turn down benefits arising from affirmative action programmes

Gov Incentives:

  • As someone who was brought up in a rich and connected family by lottery of birth, it feels morally wrong to take away the opportunities from people that actually need it.
  • Even if she reaches top leadership positions, it will be viewed as a function of the quota rather than her talent.
  • The guilt and lack of respect will make it harder for her to work effectively.

Opp Incentives:

  • Privilege does not guarantee success, especially in professions dominated by old boy's clubs and historically led by men.
  • Therefore, affirmative action policies greatly increase the chances of them reaching top leadership positions.
  • They can then leverage their power and authority to expand the access to opportunities to all women.

4. THR = This House Regrets

  • Retrospective: Evaluate past actions based on their impacts in the present, and analyze why this was beneficial or detrimental for certain actors.
  • Counterfactual: Teams that regret the motion must provide reasoning about:
    • What the alternative could have been in the absence of this virtue or notion.
    • Why it is the most likely alternative.
    • How different would their world be.