Debating with LDS
Debating in a debating society is not the type of debating you see on TV or hear at most public forums. Politicians in the parliament do not 'debate'. A 'panel debate' among professors, politicians or famous people with an opinion is often nothing more than the clashing and bashing of ideas. Debating within a debating society offers you the chance to learn how to develop an argument, improve your public speaking skill and broaden your mind and thinking.
Like many other debating societies, LDS debates in certain debating formats. In these formats, a debater often does not present their own opinion or thoughts, but represents the arguments and the ideas of the position he/she is given. It is a way to expand your thinking, see beyond the black and white boundaries of a topic, practice your way of working with an idea. LDS always offers her participants a variety of topics to debate on.
Do you have a topic of your own that you would like to bring to the table? Never hesitate to let us know.
Format of debating
The most common format, widely popular among debating students all over the world, both casually and on a competitive level, is British Parliamentary Debating. This composition consists out of two sides, each with two teams of two people (as showing on the image below on the desktop version of this website). Each person on each side has a specific position (a total of four positions per side). This position is closely connected to some rules and guidelines for developing your argument, which are always taken into consideration by judges while ranking teams and giving feedback to participants.
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The total of four teams means four parts sections in the debate: Opening Government (OG) and Closing Government (CG) on one side, Opening Opposition (OO) and Closing Opposition (CO) on the other. The roles of these sections is explained shortly further below.
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The two teams on each side of the debate work towards a common goal (winning the debate), but are not allowed to discuss with each other, before nor during the debate. Each team (of two) needs to develop their own arguments and reasoning. This might require some adjustments in your speech and arguments if, for example, OG sets out a rather different course than you and your partner expected.
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Government
Opposition
Opening Gov.
Prime Minister
2
1
Leader of the Opposition
Opening Opp.
Deputy PM
3
4
Deputy Leader of Opp.
Closing Gov.
Member of Gov.
5
6
Member of Opp.
Closing Opp.
Gov. Whip
7
8
Opposition Whip
In this brief overview, we will also shortly mention what tasks and purposes each team has. Please, be aware that this is not a full explanation nor is it complete.
The Opening Government opens the debate and presents the motion, their position towards it and/or their vision on the motion. Prime minister can set the tone for the debate, and give a framing to the motion. The Deputy Prime Minister explains their reasoning and arguments more. The Opening Opposition also present their stand towards to motion, with their own arguments, together with a rebuttal on why the Government has a wrong idea or does not carry out a right perspective.
The Closing Government and Opposition bring new arguments to the table to support the case of the Government. Naturally, they should not contradict or obstruct the Opening Government. The need to further develop the reasoning, with new examples and thoughts, while the Whips summarise the debate and give a final reasoning why their side has won the debate.
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There are also Points of Information (PoI's), which the members of the opposite team can ask the speaker. These are small points of rebuttal or merely questions for more information or clarification. These questions cannot be asked during the first or last minute of the speakers speech. Also, these PoI's are usually asked by a debater when he/she stands up, and then can be accepted or declined by the speaker.
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LDS hosts debates in other formats as well (American Parliamentary Debate or Belgian Parliamentary Debate). These formats are usually briefly explained by the members of the board before the weekly debate, depending on which format it will be conducted in.