1. Quebec Student
Debating
Association
Judge’s Briefing

2. Introduction to Debating
two team debate opposite sides of issues, called Government and Opposition.
topics will be relatively substantial issues – students are expected to debate issues and not rely on humour.
debating is NOT the same as public speaking – you are evaluating what they say, not how they say it.
the Moderator/Speaker will control the debate, read the script, and signal time remaining to the debaters.
the key to any debate is “CLASH” – teams that do not engage each other cannot win.

3. Defining the Resolution
do not need to define word for word, but outline parameters of the debate.
first Government speaker ( Prime Minister ) must do this.
definition must be fair and reasonable – debates over definitions make for very BAD debates – your judges won’t be happy.
NO PLAN is expected. Debate values and ideas, not implementation.

4. Parliamentary Format - Senior
Prime Minister 7 minutes Define, outline, 2-3 points
1st Opposition 7 minutes 2-3 points, refute
2nd Government 7 minutes 1-2 points, refute, rebuild
Leader of Opposition 10 minutes 1-2 points, refute, rebuild and summarize
Prime Minister’s Rebuttal 3 minutes summarize important points
Points of Information – between 1st and 6th minutes of 4 main speeches – timers bang desk to signal beginning and end of POI time.
Please - No Points of Privilege, Points of Order, or Heckling!
No new information in 3 minute PM Rebuttal.

5. What to Look for
Content and Evidence
Argument and Reasoning
Organization
Presentation and Delivery
Refutation and Rebuttal

6. Scoring See the scoring breakdown for more details:
Holistic score only!
high 80s is truly exceptional, and even then is usually the maximum and very rare. You will be asked to justify this score.
first place usually averages around 85.
under 70 is a truly weak speech.

7. Conferral Judging
*After the round, the debaters will leave the room while the judges discuss the debate.
discuss for no more than 10 minutes – the head judge will lead the discussion.
after 10 minutes, each judge fills out ballot independently.
judges do not need to agree – the majority of decisions wins the round. ( if win-loss is being used to rank teams )
debaters come back into the room and head judge will make comments.
do NOT reveal the winning team or speaker scores – make constructive comments.

8. Filling out the Ballot
be sure to carefully fill out all names and enter the team code ONLY.
do NOT ask debaters what school they are from.
enter speaker’s final score only – add up the team score.
circle the winning team – the team with most points must win.
you may write comments, but many find it easier to give verbal comments.