The British Parliamentary debate format:
⚪️Originated in early 20th century Britain at universities like Oxford and Cambridge, separate from American styles.
⚪️It features four teams of two speakers each, with two government teams supporting the motion and two opposition teams against it. A key aspect is the 15-minute preparation period, where debaters can only consult non-electronic sources.
⚪️This format emphasizes quick argument construction, strategic refutation, and persuasive public speaking.
⚪️Officially adopted by the World Universities Debating Championship in 1996, it now involves around 300 teams from 70 countries annually.
⚪️Each speaker has a 7-minute time limit, with later speakers introducing new arguments while earlier ones establish core cases.
⚪️The format includes dynamic "points of information" interruptions and no prep time between speeches, rewarding adaptability and broad knowledge.
⚪️While most popular in UK and Irish universities, variations exist globally, with the classic British version remaining dominant in international competitions.
🗂By the way, if you like debates or civilised discussions, make sure to visit our event (on the topic of 'what is success?') on the 18th of April, at 16:30 in 312к, Kolobok building
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LycDebates✨