Debate Notes

For House of Paris

General Rules/ Important Notes

- Properly distinguish your introduction from the start of your speech | This is to make it easier for the
adjudicator/facilitator to properly start your timer.
- e.g. “Good day, everyone. My name is Cassie. My preferred pronouns are she/her. As for POIs, I
will take them through voice. With that said, I will begin my speech in 3… 2… 1…”
- Speeches have a grace period of 15 seconds after the timer ends before the adjudicators stops
listening | This means that even if you go over your time a bit, you may still be able to properly
conclude your speech before the adjudicators stop listening with the extra 15 seconds as allowance.
- It is recommended to set your own timer | There are times when the timer bot on discord doesn’t work
properly which means you shouldn’t fully rely on it.
- POINT OF INFORMATION (POI) | These are given after the 1 minute mark and before the 6 minute mark.
- This may be

Flow and Time of Debate w/ Speaker Roles

Prime Minister (PM) (7 minutes)
- FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech.
- WORLD BUILD | Characterize and Mechanize.
- What is the debate about? Why does it exist? (Characterize - state the people involved, how it
affects society, and/or how is it essential to the factors involved)
- What is the problem? Why does this happen? How does this look like? So what? Why should we
care? (Elaborate as to how it is detrimental to the people involved, society, and/or the entirety
of the future)
- What are your burdens/goals? What do you have to prove in order to win?
- Explicitly state your case. Let it be known to the adjes what your main point is.
- What are we going to do about it? (What is your solution?) Mechanize. (Clearly outline your
solution - expound on what will happen and how it will happen)
- PRESENT ARGUMENTS | In line with your proposed solution, elaborate as to how it will be helpful in
solving the problem at hand.
 - When Making Arguments:
- State your argument clearly
- Why is this essential?
- How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this essential to the actors and/or status quo)
- SUMMARIZE SPEECH | Wrap up your speech, what did you prove in your speech and why is it important
- summarize anything important. State as to why your side should win.

Leader of Opposition (LO) (7 minutes)

- FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech.
- REBUT | Rebut points from Prime Minister
- When Making Rebuttals:
- State the opposing side’s argument clearly
- Why is it bad, inefficient, or unlikely to happen?
- How so? How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this detrimental to the actors and/or status
quo)
- WORLD BUILD | Characterize and Mechanize. (The perspective leaning more onto your side)
- What is the debate about? Why does it exist? (Characterize - state the people involved, how it
affects society, and/or how is it essential to the factors involved)
- What is the problem? Why does this happen? How does this look like? So what? Why should we
care? (Elaborate as to how it is detrimental to the people involved, society, and/or the entirety
of the future)
- What are your burdens/goals? What do you have to prove in order to win?
- Explicitly state your case. Let it be known to the adjes what your main point is.
- What are we going to do about it? (What is your solution?) Mechanize. (Clearly outline your
solution - expound on what will happen and how it will happen)
- SUMMARIZE SPEECH | Wrap up your speech, what did you prove in your speech and why is it important
- summarize anything important. State as to why government loses and your side wins.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) (7 minutes)

 - FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech. (Only this time, present a new perspective and avoid repeating points already
mentioned by Prime Minister)
- REBUT | Rebut points from Leader of Opposition
- When Making Rebuttals:
- State the opposing side’s argument clearly
- Why is it bad, inefficient, or unlikely to happen?
- How so? How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this detrimental to the actors and/or status
quo)
- REBUILD | Clarify and recharacterize points damaged by Leader of Opposition.
- EXTEND | Split from Prime Minister - meaning present new perspectives and arguments in the debate
like points on the economic side of the debate, perspective of the international community, and/or
long-time effect as long as still relevant to the debate.
- When Making Arguments:
- State your argument clearly
- Why is this essential?
- How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this essential to the actors and/or status quo)
- SUMMARIZE SPEECH | Wrap up your speech, what did you prove in your speech and why is it important
- summarize anything important. State as to why opposition loses and your side wins.

Deputy Leader of Opposition (DLO) (7 minutes)

- FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech. (Only this time, present a new perspective and avoid repeating points already
mentioned by Leader of Opposition)
- REBUT | Rebut points from Leader of Opposition
- When Making Rebuttals:
- State the opposing side’s argument clearly
- Why is it bad, inefficient, or unlikely to happen?
- How so? How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this detrimental to the actors and/or status
quo)
- REBUILD | Clarify and recharacterize points damaged by Deputy Prime Minister
 - EXTEND | Split from Leader of Opposition - meaning present new perspectives and arguments in the
debate like points on the economic side of the debate, perspective of the international community,
and/or long-time effect as long as still relevant to the debate.
- When Making Arguments:
- State your argument clearly
- Why is this essential?
- How does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this essential to the actors and/or status quo)
- SUMMARIZE SPEECH | Wrap up your speech, what did you prove in your speech and why is it important
- summarize anything important. State as to why government loses and your side wins.

Government Whip (GW) (7 minutes)

DON’T MAKE NEW ARGUMENTS
- FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech. (Only this time, present a blended perspective of what has been presented by
Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister)
- REBUT | Rebut points from Leader of Opposition and/or Deputy Leader of Opposition.
You can rebut any speaker but focus on the biggest threat or the speaker you feel has the strongest
points or so, be strategic.
- When Making Rebuttals:
- State the opposing side’s argument clearly
- Why is it bad, inefficient, or unlikely to happen?
- How so? What does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this detrimental to the actors and/or status
quo)
- SUMMARIZE DEBATE AND REBUT IN GROUPS | Different way of rebutting as whip. Group arguments by
theme (like economics, politics, morals or even by actors in the debate like the mother’s perspective in
this abortion debate) or by speaker (i.e. who did the better job at solving a specific problem and how).
Rebut only the points you feel are the most powerful or the unresponded, not yet rebutted, explain how
their analysis is flawed or you can even attack what was lacking from Opposition - like they never
explained their point properly or what was their goal or etc.
- Compare arguments, why are your sides arguments better, and how you won issues in these
arguments.
Opposition Whip (GW) (7 minutes)
DON’T MAKE NEW ARGUMENTS
- FRAME | Basically a story or narrative that shows status quo or a particular event or some form of
phenomena that basically hints at your case and problems and goals as it hooks the audience and the
adjes to your speech. (Only this time, present a blended perspective of what has been presented by
Leader of Opposition and Deputy Leader of Opposition)
- REBUT | Rebut points from Prime Minister and/or Deputy Prime Minister.
You can rebut any speaker but focus on the biggest threat or the speaker you feel has the strongest
points or so, be strategic.
- When Making Rebuttals:
- State the opposing side’s argument clearly
- Why is it bad, inefficient, or unlikely to happen?
- How so? What does this look like?
- So what? Why should we care? (Why is this detrimental to the actors and/or status
quo)
- SUMMARIZE DEBATE AND REBUT IN GROUPS | Different way of rebutting as whip. Group arguments by
theme (like economics, politics, morals or even by actors in the debate like the mother’s perspective in
this abortion debate) or by speaker (i.e. who did the better job at solving a specific problem and how).
Rebut only the points you feel are the most powerful or the unresponded, not yet rebutted, explain how
their analysis is flawed or you can even attack what was lacking from Government - like they never
explained their point properly or what was their goal or etc.
- Compare arguments, why are your sides arguments better, and how you won issues in these
arguments.

Opposition Reply Speaker (4 minutes)

Is essentially a biased adjudicator - you summarize the round and judge it whilst being biased on your side
- SUMMARIZE DEBATE AND ANALYZE POINTS IN GROUPS | Similar to a whip speech, group arguments by
theme or by speaker. Put emphasis on your side’s points and mention the unresponded and unrebutted
points left by Government that make your case stand. Point out the flaws of Government (what they
lacked in, why there are wrong, why are they inefficient, etc.)
- GLORIFY YOUR BENCH | Praise your side and highlight points that proves as to why your side wins the
debate.
- Important Note: Reply Speakers are limited to only mentioning what has been mentioned by previous
speakers. (New arguments and rebuttals are strictly forbidden and will be uncredited when mentioned.)
Government Reply Speaker (4 minutes)
Is essentially a biased adjudicator - you summarize the round and judge it whilst being biased on your side
- SUMMARIZE DEBATE AND ANALYZE POINTS IN GROUPS | Similar to a whip speech, group arguments by
theme or by speaker. Put emphasis on your side’s points and mention the unresponded and unrebutted
points left by Opposition that make your case stand. Point out the flaws of Opposition (what they lacked
in, why there are wrong, why are they inefficient, etc.)
- GLORIFY YOUR BENCH | Praise your side and highlight points that proves as to why your side wins the
debate.
- Important Note: Reply Speakers are limited to only mentioning what has been mentioned by previous
speakers. (New arguments and rebuttals are strictly forbidden and will be uncredited when mentioned.)