Air Cadet League of Canada Ontario Provincial Committee

Air Cadet League of Canada Ontario Provincial Committee Air Cadet Debating Program www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Introduction to Debating To familiarize attendees with the following • OPC Debating Program Background • Roles & Basic Rules • Organizing a squadron team www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Program Background Information v Successful Optional Training activity introduced in 2003 v Parliamentary Style debating based on the Ontario Student Debating Union model v Focus is on developing life skills for the cadet in the areas of listening, reasoning, and public speaking v Steadily grown in popularity – at capacity for a single (provincial) competition and cadet workshop. v Program is established in Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara areas. New areas looking to onboard www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Debating Roles www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Cadet Teams v. Each competition team consists of 3 cadets v. Two cadets are the team debaters who will alternate arguing a case as the Government then the Opposition side v. The third cadet on each team acts as a Speaker / Timekeeper who alternates between the 2 positions from debate to debate www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Cadet Debating Roles 1) Government Team – seated right of Speaker Affirmative side that supports the resolution. The burden of proof lies with the Government unless a counter proposal is tabled by the Opposition Prime Minister (PM) Member of the Crown (MC) 2) Opposition Team – seated left of Speaker Contests the validity of the Government’s motion Leader of the Opposition (LO) Member of the Opposition (MO) www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Cadet Debating Roles Speaker / Timekeeper positions a) Speaker of the House Acts as moderator/master of ceremonies b) Timekeeper Uses time cards to caution speakers of time remaining and tracks time faults for teller www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Speaker of the House 1. Primary purpose of the speaker is to maintain order during the debate. A script is available for assistance. 2. Speaker Explains the Process & Introduces the Teams 3. Speaker Declares Debate Open & introduces speakers 4. Rule on Points of Order or Personal Privilege – escalate (seek advice of the Head Judge) where required 5. A Speakers ruling is final and not contestable 6. A speaker may call a member to order 7. Declares the debate closed www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Order of Speaking 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Prime Minister’s Introduction (PM) - 5 Minutes (3 for impromptu) First member of the Opposition (MO) - 5 Minutes (3 for impromptu) Minister of the Crown (MC) - 5 Minutes (3 for impromptu) Leader of the Opposition (LO) - 7 Minutes (4 for impromptu) Prime Minister’s Rebuttal (PM) - 2 Minutes (1 for impromptu) www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

When a debater holds the floor… 1) BUILD or REBUILD their side’s case ** PM should define terms in the Resolution Explain points or arguments in detail (with supporting evidence) 2) REFUTE any points made by their opponents 3) CONCLUDE – Each member summarizes their arguments as to why the Resolution should either Stand or Fail www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Debating Rules www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Debating Rules - DO’s • All remarks addressed to the Speaker • Only one person holds the floor at one time (must be recognized by the Speaker) • Use proper titles when referring to a member of the house • Government should define the Resolution • Verbal “heckling” must be pertinent, brief and infrequent www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Debating Rules - DO NOTs v. No Profanity (proper language only) v. No Props or Electronic aids during debate (dictionary/thesaurus only) v. No new Arguments in the Final Rebuttal v. Speeches should not be read (notes OK) v. No ``squirreling`` of the resolution (defining the resolution in obscure terms) v. No coaching during the debate www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Raising Points www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Points of Order 1) Draws Attention to Breach of Rules 2) Possible Misconduct (e. g. Profanity) 3) Immediately After Rule Contravened 4) Speaker May call a Member to Order to maintain proper control of the debate www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Points of Personal Privilege 1) Include Misquoting or Misrepresenting an Opponent 2) Referring to a Member Incorrectly 3) Slandering a Member 4) Cannot Raise a Point of Personal Privilege on Behalf of Another Member www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Points of Information (Rule Change in 2016) Points of Information are a request to your opponent to interject during their speech with a question or comment. These are not used in Air Cadet debating. Make your comments or observations in your rebuttal arguments www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Raising a Point: 1) To Raise – Stand Say “Mr. (Madam) Speaker I Rise on a Point of… (Order / Personal Privilege)” 2) Debater Interrupted Shall Immediately Surrender the Floor (sits down). The Timekeeper suspends time. 3) Speaker Will hear the Objection Request 4) Speaker will RULE on the Point (confer with judges if uncertain). Announce “Point Well Taken” or “Not Well Taken”. This ruling is final. 5) Return control to the interrupted Debater. Time keeping resumes. www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Maintaining Control of the Debate • It is the job of the speaker to maintain control of the debate and rule on any points raised in the debate. A speaker’s ruling should normally not be challenged. • The speaker may consult with the judges if uncertain on a ruling or to assist brining a member to order. • A Judge may also interject to gain control of a debate where a team is in clear violation of the rules, or is failing to take direction from the Speaker. The team can be cautioned that continued action could result in a disqualification. • Prior to a disqualification, the Timekeeper will be directed to summon the Chief Judge for consultation on the incident, and impact to the team score (potential zero score). www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Coaches Corner www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Considering a debating team? v Appoint a Coach early on (January timeframe) – can be an Officer, CV, SSC member, parent or community volunteer. Have the right supervision. CATO 23 -07 for volunteers. v Two or more 3 person teams per squadron are ideal for practice sessions. Neighbouring squadron teams? v Prepared debate topics are released 2 to 3 weeks in advance of competition dates v If required, Regional competitions are to take place in the mid -March to mid-April timeframe. Top 2 teams advance. v Provincial finals same weekend and place as ES (end of April – currently Hamilton area ) v Squadrons are responsible for competition travel costs www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Before you start debating… ü Visit the OPC Debating Home Page ü Download and review current rules in detail ü Talk about the team roles with participants ü Show team members how to time keep www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Prepare to debate You need to be able to argue both sides effectively ! Ø Research or List Facts that support the resolution * Make sure you note the source of any research Ø Research or List Facts that “refute” the resolution * Make sure you note the source of any research Ø List Counterpoints or arguments for each fact you listed Bring writing material and a team dictionary or thesaurus No laptops or devices – but point form notes are permissible www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Make 2 Point Form Lists {Affirmative and Opposition views} include your sources q Supported point A counter argument q Supported point B counter argument q Supported point C counter argument q Supported point D counter argument www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

The Arguments • Fact based points – be able to quote your source. Judges can penalize fabricated evidence in the prepared round. • Imaginative arguments are permitted in impromptu round • Purely emotional appeals are not credited • The team supporting the affirmative argument (normally the government) has the onus of persuasion unless a counter proposal be introduced. This is where the onus of persuasion can be shared or switch www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Effective Listening! v. Teams need to HEAR, note and address all of their opponents arguments in order to effectively debate. v. Use of a pen and paper to make point form notes of the arguments will help. v. Be careful not to misquote your opponent. www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Practice - Practice v. Practice both Prepared and Impromptu debating with your teams v. Impromptu topic examples can be found on the internet v. Consider training with neighbouring squadrons (if practical) v. Make it FUN – this is optional training www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Judges Clinic www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Judges Key Responsibilities § Score the debates consistently and fairly based on: § What you see and hear in the room § The three categories defined in the rules: Arguments & Evidence, Organization and Delivery § Guidelines for Judges made available in advance § Back-up the Speaker of the House § Provide advice on the rules if they ask for it § Reinforce their authority if they ask you to § Step in tactfully and briefly if order has deteriorated too far www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Judging Logistics § Judging is key to fairness of the competition § Ideally: § At least two judges per room § No debater appears before the same judges more than once before the final round § Judges are not affiliated with any of the teams § Judges come from many places, for example: § Local university/college faculty and debating union § Toastmasters § Friends and colleagues § Judges must be comfortable and feel supported by: § Clear guidelines and judging forms § A Chief Judge whose job it is to address issues/complaints and act as a resource for interpretation of the rules www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Scoring Overview A. Argument & Evidence (40 marks) Points 10 – Presented Logical Arguments – both points and counter points 10 – Arguments Were Evidence Based 10 – Arguments Directly Supported or Rebutted the Case 10 – Rebuilt the Case After Attack www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Scoring Overview B. Organization (40 marks) Points 10 – Coherency of the Presentation 10 – Logic of Order in Which Arguments Presented 10 – Brought Together into Tight Conclusion 10 – Correct Grammar, Phrasing, Sentence Structure www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Scoring Overview C. Delivery & Style (20 marks) Points 5 – Spoke With Enthusiasm & Confidence 5 – Cadence and Rhythm of the Presentation 5 – Proper Stance, Audible, Pronunciation Enunciation 5 – Use of Tonal Variations, Hand Gestures, Humour www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Assessing the House Speaker § The key role of the Speaker is to maintain order and respect so that the debaters can do their best § The three categories for judging debaters can help frame your score for the Speaker: § Evidence: Do they know the rules? Were their rulings correct? (Note: if they are not called upon to make rulings, this category may not come to bear) § Organization: Did they maintain order? Was the debate run efficiently from the time the Speaker entered the room (e. g. , gathering the names, getting people seated and ready)? § Delivery: Were they poised and polished? Did they command respect? www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Scoring the House Speaker § The Speaker is assigned a score between 60 and 95 § A speaker who is well organized and does everything they are supposed to do would receive a score of 70 -79 (good). § A score of 80 -89 would be awarded to a speaker who does all that is normally required then goes beyond by either § Correctly ruling on points without assistance OR § Proactively calling members to order to maintain control § 90 -95 is reserved for a speaker who demonstrates excellence in all scoring areas and has overcome serious challenges to the order of the house - unassisted and with remarkable poise § 60 -69 is reserved for a speaker who loses control of the House and requires the intervention of the Judge www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

You Be the Judge! 2015 Provincial Gold Medal Debate VIDEO 3. 38 www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

• Scoring (5 min) • Who won ? • Discussion • Q&A www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Resources Found under OPC website links OPC Debating Committee Fred Hopkinson, Program Chair Joanne Plaxton, Chief Judge Mark Thususka, Chief Instructor www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program

Today’s Youth www. aircadetleague. on. ca OPC Air Cadet Debating Program Tomorrow’s Leaders!