1. INTRODUCTION TO
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
PRESENTED BY
ABHINANDAN RAY
BBA LLB, 3RD YEAR

2. What??
Why??

3. TYPES
1) British Parliamentary
debate
2 members in a Team
2) Asian Style Parliamentary
Debate
3 members in a Team

4. Indian Context

5. Motions
• UNDERSTAND MOTIONS
A MOTION CAN BE PHRASED AND
INTERPRETTED DIFFERENTLY
MOTION PER ROUND
• OPEN MOTIONS
e.g. “THBT the glass is half full”
• SEMI-CLOSED MOTIONS
e.g. “THW alter its genetic code” Like “Food
Security Bill”
• CLOSED MOTIONS
e.g. “THW bomb Iraq”
• SPIRIT OF THE MOTION

6. ABBREVIATIONS
THW = THIS HOUSE WOULD
THS = THIS HOUSE SUPPORTS
THC = THIS HOUSE CELEBRATES
THR = THIS HOUSE REGRETS
THBT = THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT

7. FORMAT OF DEBATE
• 2 teams
• Those who proposes the motion known
as:
‘The Proposition’, ‘The Affirmative’ or
‘The Government’
• Those who opposes the motion known as
‘The Opposition’ or ‘The Negative.

8. Proposition
a. Prime Minister / 1st affirmative
b. Deputy Prime Minister / 2ND affirmative
c. Proposition Whip / 3rd affirmative
Opposition
a. Leader of Opposition / 1st negative
b. Deputy Leader of Opposition / 2nd
negative
c. Opposition Whip / 3rd negative

9. Speaking Sequence
a. Prime Minister / 1st affirmative
b. Leader of Opposition / 1st negative
c. Deputy Prime Minister / 2nd affirmative
d. Deputy Leader of Opposition / 2nd negative
e. Proposition Whip / 3rd affirmative
f. Opposition Whip / 3rd negative
g. Opposition reply speech
h. Proposition reply speech
Note – Whips from either team are barred from
giving the reply speeches

10. Role of Adjudicator
• Each debate shall be adjudicated upon by
a panel comprising of an odd number of
adjudicators. One of these shall be
designated as Chairperson.
• In exceptional situations, and only in
Phase 1, a debate may be adjudicated by
a single experienced adjudicator.
• But normally there are 3 adj. for judging

11. Speaker Roles
• Prime Minister (PM) / 1st Affirmative
• Provides the set-up of the Debate
1. Defines the house, proposes a definition based
on the motion and logically links it to the
theme by using constructive arguments.
How to define?
Definitions should be consistent with the spirit of the
given motion.
1.Word for word definition – is based on giving the
meaning of only the significant word in the motion
2.Thematic definition – it requires that the theme of
the motion be identified and be made the central
issue of the debate. This is applicable to
metaphorical debate.

12. Definitional challenge
• There are four instances when the need
for a definitional challenge arises:
1.when the definition is tautological;
2.when the definition is squirreled;
3.when the definition places the debate in a
particular time and/ or place;
4.when the definition is truism

13. Squirrel
• If a team twists the wording of the
motion to define onto something else , by
way of distorting the definition to enable a
team to argue a pre-prepared argument,
it amounts to “squirreling.”
• In order to prevent the debate from
getting diverted towards unduly narrow or
bizarre subjects , squirreling is made a
ground to raise definition challenge.
• This House would “legalize performanceenhancing drugs in sport” but if PM define

14. Truism
• A truism is matter that is obviously true.
For instance: Literally defining the motion
„This House Believes That man breathes
oxygen‟ would be a truism. There cannot
be a debate on this motion because t here
is no issue as to whether man breathes
oxygen or not.

15. Tautology
• A tautology is a definition which, in
development proves itself.
• For example: If, in the motion, “This
House believes that extremism is the
catalyst for progress”, the term extremism
is defined by the proposition as good
extremism‟ in terms of positive change
that contribute to the advancement of
society, the motion will ultimately end up
in something like this:
“radical groups that contribute to the

16. Place Set
• A place set definition is a definition which
gives an unfair advantage to a team by
setting it in a particular place. This implies
that one team defines the debate in a
particular place in order to gain an advantage
over the opposition.
• 1st KSOL PD “This House Should use the
Pornography in Sex Education in Schools”
Define either in India or in USA .
• For example: „This House would ban sale and
consumption of liquor‟. It will be wrong to
state that the debate is happening in Gujarat

17. Time Set
• It refers to setting unnaturally restrictive
chronological durations as a major
parameter.
• In other words, debate must take place in
the present.
• For example: This House would invoke an
embargo on foreign goods . It would be
wrong to set the time of debate in 1937 as
Swadeshi movement in the Indian

18. Executing a Definitional
Challenge
• The Definition Challenge must be made in
the speech of the Leader of Opposition , who
has the onus of establishing the same, by
stating clearly whether the definition is being
rejected or challenged. Subsequent speakers
are strictly permitted to only clarify the stand
of the LOP.
• Once the Definition Challenge is made, the
LOP shall provide a substitute definition,
which the Opposition must then go on to
negate.
• If the LOP does not challenge the definition,

19. Role of Prime Minister (cont.)
• Provides the house with –
• Background, explanation or context for
the Government case, if necessary.
• Roadmap, whereby team split and
structure of the debate is mentioned.
• Detailed model, if any.

20. Role of Leader of Opposition
(LOP) / 1st Negative
1. States, citing reasons through own
constructives, whether the definition put
forth by the Proposition is accepted or
rejected.
2. Offers rebuttal to the Government case.
3. Puts forth a counter-model, if any.
4. States burden of the Opposition.

21. Role of Deputy Prime Minister
(DPM) / 2nd Affirmative
1. Presents arguments in support of the
proposal.
2. Offers rebuttal to the points established
by the LOP.
3. Reiterates (if necessary) and further
substantiates the constructives of the PM.
4. Explains extensively the intricacies of the

22. Role of Deputy Leader of
Opposition (DLO) / 2nd Negative
1. Refutes government’s arguments and
engages with independent arguments
put up by the DPM.
2. Puts forth new constructives at the
outset.
3. Strengthens the case based on the

23. Role of Government Whip / 3rd
Affirmative (Do mockery of
Opposition)
1. Rebuts arguments of the Opposition and
reiterate the ones of the Proposition.
2. Points out flaws in argument and logic.
3. Brings out thematic clashes.
4. Cannot introduce new matter, but can
establish the same through new examples.
5. Summarizes the debate by emphasizing
on issues that lead to the Proposition’s
victory

24. Role of Opposition Whip / 3rd
Negative (Do mockery of Govt.)
1. Rebuts arguments put forth by the
Proposition.
2. Points out flaws in argument and logic.
3. Brings out thematic clashes.
4. Cannot introduce new matter, but can
establish the same through new examples.
5. Summarizes the debate by emphasizing on
issues that lead to the Opposition’s victory.

25. Reply Speech
1. Framing the debate in favour of the
Opposition/Proposition by way of
crystallizing issues.
Essentially, biased adjudication.
2. Bring to notice concessions,
inconsistencies and vague responses by
the Proposition/Opposition and
arguments or rebuttals that have not
been replied to by the
Proposition/Opposition.
3. New matter cannot form a part of this

26. POINTS OF INFORMATION
• Points of Information (POIs’) may be
offered during constructive speeches only,
after the first single knock of the gavel
and up to the second single knock of the
gavel. Points of Information may not be
offered during the first and last minutes
of constructive speeches. If a Point of
Information is offered in the first or the
last minute of a constructive speech, it is
the duty of the speaker holding the floor
to reject the same as being out of order.
Only if the speaker holding the floor fails

27. • A POI must be indicated by a member of an
opposing team rising from his/her seat,
placing one hand on top of his/her head and
extending the other towards the member
holding the floor. A member offering a Point
of Information may draw attention to the
offer by saying “on that point Sir/Madam,” or
short headlining tags.
• A member holding the floor must respond to
an opposing member, or members offering
POI’s, in one of the following ways.
1. A clear gesture or hand signal rejecting the
offer.
2. A verbal rejection of the offer, or
3. A verbal acceptance of the offer.

28. Timing of Speeches
• Preparation Time
• 25 to 30 minutes
• Constructive Speeches
• 1+5+1 minutes
• Reply Speeches
• 3+1 minutes
• Duty of Time keeper

29. Essential Ingredient of Speech
1) Matter
Valid arguments, in-depth analysis of the issue in
the debate, giving examples relevant to the case,
timeless and relevance of POI’s and through
rebuttal. The overall matter accounts fifty percent
of the total score of the team.
2) Manner
• Vocal Style: volume, clarity, pronunciation, pace, fluency,
confidence
• Language: conversational or conventional.
• Use of notes: should not be read, should not distract
from speech.
• Eye Contact: with audience or with opposing team

30. 3) Method
• The logical organization of ideas, the
clear presentation of arguments and
examples, the unity in content and
delivery of individual speakers, and
consistency of the team as a whole.
• Team effort
• Individual effort

31. THANK YOU