Speakers
First Proposition Team - First Speaker
It is the duty of the "First Proposition Team - First Speaker" to define the motion, which describes exactly what the basis for the debate will be. For example, if the motion is "This House will become a Bungalow", the First Proposition Team First Speaker may decide to define the motion as “This House Recommends the Abolition of the House of Lords". He or she would then spend four minutes explaining the reason for the proposal, setting out what he or she is going to speak about, what his or her partner will speak about, and then fleshing out his or her own arguments. As the competition is Parliamentary style debating, any motion should be defined in a way appropriate to Parliament so, for example, defining the above motion as "This House will become a Bungalow because it would look nicer" would not be acceptable.
A good definition must be fair to the opposition and give them an equal case to argue back.
First Opposition Team - First speaker
The "First Opposition Team - First Speaker" must rebut the arguments of the proposition (perhaps by highlighting inconsistencies or weaknesses) and explain why there is a difference between the two sides. This speaker should also explain why his or her team opposes the Proposition and set out some of their arguments.
First Proposition Team - Second Speaker
This speaker will rebut the argument of the FOTFS and then continue the thread of argument advanced by his colleague.
First Opposition Team - Second speaker
This speaker will rebut the argument of the SOTSS and then continue the thread of argument advanced by his colleague.
Second Proposition Team - First Speaker
This speaker will rebut the arguments of the opposition, continue the thread of the first proposition team and extend the argument, perhaps by suggesting an alternative way for the policy to be implemented.
Second Opposition Team - First Speaker
This speaker will rebut the arguments of the proposition, continue the thread of the first opposition team and extend the arguments against the proposition.
Second Proposition Team - Second Speaker
This speaker summarises the arguments that have been raised thus far explaining why the proposition argument should prevail, highlighting inconsistencies and weaknesses in the opposition's arguments.
Second Opposition Team - Second Speaker
This speaker summarises the arguments that have been raised thus far explaining why the opposition argument should prevail, highlighting inconsistencies and weaknesses in the proposition's arguments.
Points of Information
A "point of information" is a question raised with regard to something the speaker has said and should be designed to trap them or make them attempt to explain an inconsistency or weakness in their argument.
To make a Point of Information, a contestant must stand up, say "Point of Information" and wait for the speaker to invite them to make their point.
The first and last minute of each speech will be protected, which means that no points of information may be raised within that time. However, during the middle two minutes, members of the other side's teams may wish to make a point of information.
The speaker always retains the right to tell the person wishing to raise the POI to sit down, and refuse to take the Point.