Debate (APD)

“I need 3 days to prepare a good, spontaneous three minute speech”
(Mark Twain)

American Parliamentary Debate (APD) is an academic debate event. Despite the name, Parliamentary Debate (rather “style”) is not related to debates in governmental parliaments. It may be conducted in any language, but for additional educational purposes and to emphasise the international dimension we prefer to hold the sessions in English – no worries, you will find out that any level of English skills actually will suffice!

This style consists in general of two teams, with the following speakers:

  1. Government
    1. Prime Minister (PM)
    2. Member of the Government (MG)
  2. Opposition
    1. Leader of the Opposition (LO)
    2. Member of the Opposition (MO)

American Parliamentary style debating includes an additional speech from the Leader of each team, in which they are allowed additional time to respond to the opposing team’s arguments and sum up their own case, but may not introduce new arguments. Therefore, the speaking order and timings of each debate is generally:

  1. Prime Minister: 7 minutes
  2. Leader of the Opposition: 8 minutes
  3. Member of the Government: 8 minutes
  4. Member of the Opposition: 8 minutes
  5. Leader of the Opposition Rebuttal: 4 minutes
  6. Prime Minister Rebuttal: 5 minutes

As with any debating style, the individual timings may vary between organizations.

In most variations on the style, “Points of Information” may be asked of the speaker during the first four speeches, except during the first and last minute of each speech (this is known as protected time).

Depending on the variation of the style, the opposing team may interrupt the speaker during a Rebuttal Speech in order to offer one of two kinds of point:

  • Points of Order, when the speaker is introducing a new argument or grossly mischaracterizing arguments.
  • Points of Personal Privilege, when the speaker makes offensive claims, or personal attacks.

The spirit of Parliamentary Debate is debate that can be taken to the streets. This means that it is easy to understand and educational to all at the same time, no matter the audience member’s expertise of the resolution.