A British Parliamentary Debate Demonstration by the Linfield College Forensics Team
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Mary Lynn Veden
Location
Ford Hall: Marshall Theatre
Subject Area
Communication Arts/Rhetoric
Description
College and university students throughout the world engage in British Parliamentary (BP) debate, an academic format with origins in British parliamentary procedure. Each debate involves four two-person teams. Two teams (“proposition” or “government”) support the resolution (the topic), and two teams (“opposition”) oppose. BP debate is about using good speaking skills to present logical arguments, and teams are encouraged to incorporate philosophical arguments into the debate. The first six speeches in the debate (known as a "round") feature a mix of constructive arguments (new arguments for one’s side) and rebuttal arguments (refutation of the arguments presented by one’s opponents). A BP debate round concludes with two “whip” speeches, where each side summarizes the significant arguments presented throughout the round and presents reasons why their team should win the debate.
This demonstration debate features a current events topic, which is common in British Parliamentary debate intercollegiate competition.
Recommended Citation
Veden, Mary Lynn; Garibay, Melissa; Johansen, Kellen; Liles, Amanda; Mendoza, Tania; and Naranjo, Diana, "A British Parliamentary Debate Demonstration by the Linfield College Forensics Team" (2018). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 81.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2018/all/81
A British Parliamentary Debate Demonstration by the Linfield College Forensics Team
Ford Hall: Marshall Theatre
College and university students throughout the world engage in British Parliamentary (BP) debate, an academic format with origins in British parliamentary procedure. Each debate involves four two-person teams. Two teams (“proposition” or “government”) support the resolution (the topic), and two teams (“opposition”) oppose. BP debate is about using good speaking skills to present logical arguments, and teams are encouraged to incorporate philosophical arguments into the debate. The first six speeches in the debate (known as a "round") feature a mix of constructive arguments (new arguments for one’s side) and rebuttal arguments (refutation of the arguments presented by one’s opponents). A BP debate round concludes with two “whip” speeches, where each side summarizes the significant arguments presented throughout the round and presents reasons why their team should win the debate.
This demonstration debate features a current events topic, which is common in British Parliamentary debate intercollegiate competition.
