Premier Advanced Premier Junior Advanced Open February 2012

1. Premier Advanced Premier Junior Advanced Open February 2012

2. Debating in Premier and Advanced Grades • Advised topics • Advanced Open Round 1 • Premier Junior Round 1 • Limited preparation • All other Rounds • You will have external accredited adjudicators

3. Limited Preparation • You have one hour. Use that time wisely • Work as a team - the case outline is the responsibility of the whole team • Make sure you discuss all aspects of your case so all speakers are familiar with it • Development of speech structure – do NOT write out your speech • A speaker who does not speak to time usually hasn’t made the best use of the preparation time

4. Do the basics well! • Context/Case set up • Present a logical context to the debate • Do NOT provide a dictionary definition • Do NOT engage in definitional challenges unless completely unreasonable • Structure • Tell the adjudicator what you will cover • Deal with your points logically

5. Do the basics well! • Approach to rebuttal • You can do this separately, or integrate with your substantive (but you must do it!) • Focus on the major points of the opposition case • Analysis • Introduce your point. Explain it. Back it up with evidence. Tell the adjudicator why the point is relevant and why it advances your case • Provide examples that are current and relevant • Do NOT use analogies or anecdotes or assertions

6. How do I structure a debate? • Status quo/change debate • Eg THW reinstate the youth wage • Eg THW make blood donation compulsory • Judgement debate • Eg THBT reality TV has done more harm than good • Eg THS the Auckland Super City

7. Status quo/change debate Role of the affirmative • Problem • What needs changing and why? • Solution • How should the problem be solved? What is the solution expected to achieve? • Model • How is the solution to be put in place? • Does your model have unintended consequences? • Causal links • How will the solution solve the problem?

8. Status quo/change debate Role of the negative team • Problem – has one been identified? Is it the right problem? Are there other problems? Is the problem really that significant? • Solution – make sure the affirmative team have one. • Model – do you have enough detail to know how it will work? Are there any key aspects missing? Is it practical? • Causal links - Does the model/solution address the problem identified by the affirmative team? Does it really bring about any change? • Will the model actually make things worse or have other consequences?

9. Judgement debate Role of the affirmative • Definition • What is the issue/topic you are making a judgment on? • Criteria • Decide how the judgment is to be made • What needs to be proved for the judgment to be true • Analysis • Provide analysis that enables you to prove the judgement you identified

10. Judgement debateRole of the negative • Criteria • Evaluate the affirmative criteria • Offer alternative criteria • Analysis • Engage with the analysis of the affirmative • Offer competing analysis

11. Points of Information • POIs offer a chance to question a speaker during their speech • It is not a chance for rebuttal • It is not a chance to have a conversation with the speaker • To offer – stand up and say “point of information”. Wait to be accepted (or declined) • Only between 1 and 7 minutes (or 1 and 5 for Premier Junior) • Offer at least 2 each per speech. Accept no more than two • Be courteous

12. What topics will I debate? • Moots will often be topical – be aware of current events • Social Policy • Politics • Justice • Human Rights • International Relations • Economics • Health Issues • Sporting Policy • Resources • The ASD website • Moot Bank • Useful Sites • Newspapers, the News, current affairs shows • TV shows like Q & A, Backbenches, The Court Report, Parliament TV