Argumentation and
Debate
Module II
Module 2: DEFINING FORMATS OF DEBATE
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
▪ Define and discuss the features of the special debate formats
▪ Contrast the characteristics of the debate formats
2
SPECIAL DEBATE
FORMATS
Special Debate Formats
1. Policy Debate – This style of debating allows two teams of two
debaters advocate or oppose a plan derived from a resolution
that usually calls for a change in policy by a government. Teams
usually alternate, and compete in rounds as either ―affirmative‖
or ―negative‖.
▪ Example: Resolved/This house believes that the Philippines
must change its charter.
4
Special Debate Formats
2. Extemporaneous Debate – This style involves two
teams (both with first and second speakers) with
no planning in advance. Here, only one to three
articles, containing current events and various
statistics that can be cited and questioned, are
given to the debaters along with the resolution
shortly before the debate.
5
Special Debate Formats
3. Impromptu Debate – This is a relatively informal style of
debate, when compared to highly structured formats. The
topic is given to the participants between fifteen and twenty
minutes before the debate starts. Each member alternately
speaks for five minutes. A ten-minute discussion period like
an ―open cross-examination‖ time follows then a five-
minute break is given. After the break, each team gives a
four-minute rebuttal.
6
Special Debate Formats
4. Moot Court or Mock Trial – This style is normally
participated by law practitioners and/or law students. This
format actually simulates the real trial court environment.
Pieces of evidence are presented by each side and direct and
cross examination are greatly practiced.
7
Special Debate Formats
5. Lincoln-Douglas Debate – A form of United States high-
school debate named after the Lincoln and Douglas Debates
of 1858, this style only has two participants competing
against each other. Since this style was obviously named
after the two U.S. former presidents, it is also known as
presidential debate or one-to-one debate.
8
Special Debate Formats
6. Online Debating – With the emergence of technology especially the
booming industry of Internet, differing opinions and other forms
of argumentation scatter among different pages in the web. There
do exist formalized debating websites in the form of online forums
or bulletin boards. This debate style is actually interesting as
research and well-thought of points and counterpoints are possible
because of the obvious lack of time restraints.
9
TWO MAJOR
DEBATE FORMATS
IN THE PHILIPPINES
10
“
CROSS-EXAMINATION
DEBATE FORMAT
More commonly known as Oxford-Oregon Debate,
this format is widely used in elementary, high school and
colleges all over the country. The highlight of this format
is that after each speech, the speaker who has just
spoken is questioned by a member of the opposing or to
be more specific, a cross-examination or interpellation is
held. This is actually designed to heighten the clash and
arguments to give each team the chance to penetrate to
the ideas and analyses of the opposition.
11
CROSS-EXAMINATION DEBATE FORMAT
▪ In this format, the ―”Yes” team is called the
Affirmative side and the ―”No” team is called
the Negative side. The topic or the proposition
starts with ―”Let it be resolved that…”.
Nowadays, having the proposition started with
―”Resolved that…” is permissible and more
practical.
12
SAMPLE CROSS-EXAMINATION DEBATE RULES
▪ 1. Two teams with three members each shall participate.
▪ 2. A Moderator/Chair/Speaker of the House, a time keeper,
and a board of judges must be appointed.
▪ 3. Debaters are given seven minutes for constructive
speeches and rebuttals, and five minutes for interpellation
or cross-examination.
13
ORDER OF SPEAKERS
• First Affirmative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *First Negative Speaker cross-examines the First Affirmative Speaker
• First Negative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *First Affirmative Speaker cross-examines the First Negative Speaker
• Second Affirmative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *Second Negative Speaker cross-examines the Second Affirmative Speaker
• Second Negative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *Second Affirmative Speaker cross-examines the Second Negative Speaker
• Third Affirmative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *Third Negative Speaker cross-examines the Third Affirmative Speaker
• Third Negative Speaker presents constructive speech
• *Third Affirmative Speaker cross-examines the Third Negative Speaker
• Third Negative Speaker presents rebuttal
• Third Affirmative Speaker presents rebuttal
• Second Negative Speaker presents rebuttal
• Second Affirmative Speaker presents rebuttal
• First Negative Speaker presents rebuttal
• First Affirmative Speaker presents rebuttal
14
CROSS-EXAMINATION TACTICS
by WOOD and GOODNIGHT (Goodnight & Wood, 1989)
Tactics of the Examiner
▪ 1. The examiner should begin with careful,
analytical preparation.
▪ 2. The examiner should develop simple questions.
15
CROSS-EXAMINATION TACTICS
by WOOD and GOODNIGHT (Goodnight & Wood, 1989)
Tactics of the Examiner
▪ 3. The examiner should develop limited questions.
▪ 4. The examiner should ask worthwhile questions.
16
CROSS-EXAMINATION TACTICS
by WOOD and GOODNIGHT (Goodnight & Wood, 1989)
Tactics of the Examiner
▪ 5. The examiner should use the answer in later
speeches.
▪ 6. The examiner should ask questions fairly and
honestly.
17
CROSS-EXAMINATION TACTICS
by WOOD and GOODNIGHT (Goodnight & Wood, 1989)
Tactics of the Examinee
▪ 1. The examinee should analyze and prepare for
the question.
▪ 2. The examinee should think ahead.
▪ 3. The examinee should answer questions honestly
and fairly.
18
“
PARLIAMENTARY
DEBATE
Parliamentary debate is a style patterned after the procedures
under the British Parliamentary. In this format, the House
of Parliament is divided into two—the Government or the
Proponents/Affirmative and the Opposition or the
Oppositors/Negative. This format is gaining popularity
among high school and college students because of its
apparent spontaneity. Unlike the Cross-Examination
Debate where each debater is interpelated right after his
or her speech, the process of questioning the speaker
happens as he or she renders his or her speech. This
means that the question-and-answer method is done
within the speech.
19
PARLIAMENTARY
DEBATE FORMATS
The American Parliamentary Format
▪ More popularly known as Am-Par, this format
requires only one speaker per team; points of
information or questions are allowed after the
speeches of both the speakers of either team.
21
The British Parliamentary Format
More commonly known as BP, this may be considered as one of the most
challenging debate format. It employs two teams—the Government and
the Opposition—and requires four speakers per side. The Government is
divided into two—the opening (composed of the Prime Minister or PM
and the Deputy Prime Minister or DPM) and the closing (composed of
the Member of the Government and the Government Whip). The
Opposition is also divided into two—the opening (composed of the
Leader of the Opposition or LO and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition
or DLO) and the closing (composed of the Member of the Opposition or
MO and the Opposition Whip or OW). 22
The Asian Format
▪ Pioneered by debate leagues in Asia, this format is participated in by two
three-speaker teams called the Government and the Opposition. At the
end of the constructive and rebuttal speeches from each side, the
Opposition gives its reply followed by the Government. Points of
information are strictly encouraged.
23
The Australasian/Asian Format
A combination of the Australian and Asian debate styles, this format is also
participated by two teams, the Government and the Opposition. Points of
information are allowed only if both teams agree to it.
24
Other formats also include Open House
Debate wherein debaters allow points of
information from the audience which is actually
members of the house. The said formats however
may be modified depending on what the speakers
and/or board of judges agreed upon.
25
End of presentation
Any question?
Thanks!
27
