Welcome to the EFor's English Debating Encyclopedia. This thread is made in order to enhance the ability of kaskusers on structuring an english argument, and for those who have an interest in english debate. Nowadays, english debating competition becomes more popular and even the number of debaters have significantly increasing in the past two years. I am as one of the debaters would like to share my knowledge of English Debating. It's not that I want to show off nor praising my skill, but I just want kaskusers to acknowledge what english debating is. Hopefully with this thread as well, the number of english debating competition in our beloved country can continue to evolve and grow. Cheers

What is Debating?



In here, I am going to clear up in detail what a formal debate is
A formal debate consists of two sides, affirmative (pro) and negative (con). A side is usually filled by a team or two, depending on what style is used on the competition. There are various english debating style which come from each sides of the world. Here are few of them...

• Asian Parliamentary style
  
  The Asian Parliamentary debating style involves two teams, one as "government" (affirmative) and one as "opposition" (negative). Enabling Point of Information, and the time limit for each speakers is 7 minutes 20 seconds (exception is for reply speakers). This style is commonly used in Natonal School Debating Competition or NSDC.
  
  
• British Parliamentary style
  
  The British Parliamentary debating style involves 4 teams; two "government" or "proposition" teams support the motion, and two "opposition" teams oppose it. Enabling Point of Information. This style is commonly used by the World University Debating Championships and several Open Debating Competition National-wide.
  
  
• Australian Parliamentary style
  
  The Australian Parliamentary debating style involves two teams, one as "government" (affirmative) and one as "opposition" (negative). Disabling Point of Information, and the time limit for each speakers is 5 minutes 20 seconds (exception is for reply speakers).
  
  
• Canadian Parliamentary style
  
  The Canadian Parliamentary debating style involves one "government" team and one "opposition" team. In competition, the motion is traditionally "squirrelable". This means that the assigned motion is not intended to be debated, and may even be a quote from a film or a song. The government team then "squirrels" the motion into something debatable by making a series of logical links between the proposed motion and the one they propose to debate. This makes the debate similar to a prepared debate for the government team and an impromptu debate for the opposition team. This system is rarely used in any debating competition in Indonesia.

After these explanations. You might be wondering what is the meaning of motion, point of information, and etcetera To make it easier and to serve its purpose as encyclopedia. I'll give a quick summary on most used english debating terms



Speakers' Role.
Different speaker has different role in a debate. In here, I would like to elaborate roles and showing the differences amongs first, second and third speakers.

First Speaker

First speaker is commonly assigned to any person who is generally behave, calm, theoritist, open-minded, and cooperative. Because first speaker's role is to deliver an opening statement. Therefore, a detailed arguments and explanation are trully needed to be given by him/her. First speaker acts as the main defense of a team. A first speaker of affirmative team may not deliver any rebuttal nor attack to their opponent, however negative team's may. First speakers are obliged to focus on their arguments only and preferrable to pass any found mistakes to his/her colleagues. Team line, team split, burden of proof and procedure have to be explained by first speaker.


Second Speaker

Second speaker is commonly assigned to any person who is generally focused, optimistic, and cooperative. One of second speaker's roles is to continue the given time split by his/her first speaker. Meaning, second speaker may give out any new arguments in order to strengthen his/her team. Second speakers also have an ability to deliver an attack to their opponent's arguments.

"Second speakers are the main key of a debate, since they do both first's & third's roles."

Third Speaker

Third speaker is commonly assigned to any person who is generally enthusiastic, flexible, and mature. His/her main job is to attack opponent's arguments as much as they can. They may use 4/5 of their times just to rebutt opponent's arguments. However, he/she may not deliver any newarguments but may only strengthening them.

"Acts sharp, looks sharp, be sharp. If a team is a country, then a third speaker is the nuclear."

Reply Speaker

Reply speaker role is usually assigned to either first or second speaker of a team. Basically, reply speakers are only giving the summary of the whole debate and are tasked to persuade the adjudicators in favors of their team.

"A reply speaker should prove how weak their opponent is, be sarcastic!"

Debating Procedure

1. Motion launched.
   
2. Case building time started. The time given can be variant, from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
   
3. Case building time over. All debater are summoned into the room.
   
4. A liaison officer reads the rules and regulation.
   
5. Debate started.
   
   • 1st speaker of affirmative stands and delivers his/her speech. Team line, procedure, burden of proof, team split are explained.
     
   • 1st speaker of negative stands and delivers his/her speech as well as attacking any point spoken by affirmative's 1st speaker. Team line, procedure, burden of proof, team split are explained.
     
   • 2nd speaker of affirmative stands and deliver his/her speech as well as attacking any point spoken by negative's 1st speaker.
     
   • 2nd speaker of negative stands and delivers his/her speech as well as attacking any point spoken by affirmative's 1st & 2nd speakers.
     
   • 3rd speaker of affirmative stands and attacks any point spoken by negative's 1st & 2nd speakers. He/she may strengtens his/her team's arguments.
     
   • 3rd speaker of negative stands and attacks any point spoken by affirmative's 1st, 2nd & 3rd speakers. He/she may strengtens his/her team's arguments.
     
   • Reply speaker of negative stands and give the summary.
     
   • Reply speaker of affirmative stands and give the summary.
   
   
6. A liaison officer will order all debater to leave the room. Giving the adjudicator(s) time to calculate the result.
   
7. Debaters go back into the room.
   
8. Adjudicator(s) will give them a verbal and his oppinion of the debate.
   
9. A liaison officer declares the winner.