"In the Paris V debating style, five speakers from the Government and five speakers from the Opposition speak consecutively for 6 minutes each. The debate starts with the first speaker of the Government, then the first speaker of the Opposition and so forth."
The Telecom Debating Society, is a debating club answering the FDA's way of debating.
¶ What's a debate ?
You can have an idea by watching these videos : 2019 Semi 1 - Telecom vs. Polytechnique - Introduction - Mayor Ariel Weil and Shanica De Silva
¶ Structure
- 2 teams of 5 debaters
- Proposition (aka the Government, aka This House) vs Opposition (aka the Shadow Government)
- Each team takes turns presenting one debate speech at a time
- The proposition defends the motion and the opposition opposes the motion.
- The motion is stated either "This House Believes That..." or "This House Would" (e.g. THBT cats are better than dogs, or THW censor the internet)
¶ Roles
5 debaters from each team :
- 1st speaker (aka (shadow) Prime Minister): introduces main arguments and team
- 2nd speaker: adds supporting arguments and rebuts opposing arguments
- 3rd speaker: adds supporting arguments and rebuts opposing arguments
- 4th speaker: adds supporting arguments and rebuts opposing arguments
- 5th speaker (aka Whip): reinforces team arguments (no new arguments) highlights main points of clash with opposing team
Chairman: master of ceremonies, keeps the debate running smoothly
Time keeper (aka bell girl/boy/person): keeps track of timing, recieves compliments
¶ Timing
- Speeches begin after greeting everyone in order of importance (Chair, bell, jury, prop/opp, audience) and after you have said "good afternoon/evening". This is the keyword that your speech has begun.
- Tournament speeches are 6 minutes. (In-class speeches are 5 minutes).
- The first and last minute of your speech is protected time (no POIs)
- During the middle 4 minutes (3 minutes for in-class debates) POIs can be asked. The timer does not stop.
¶ POIs (Points Of Information)
- are short, concise and usually open-ended questions.
- are used by the opposite team to throw the speaker off balance and highlight the weaknesses in his or her argumentation
- are made by standing up with one’s hand on one’s head or one’s hand outstretched
- are included in the timing of the speech
The speaker may or may not choose to accept the Point of Information, but is obliged to accept at least one and expected to accept two during his or her speech. Acceptance or refusal of a POI should be made clear, either verbally or through a gesture. When accepting a POI, the speaker should seize the opportunity to dismiss the point as incorrect and irrelevant.
¶ Ajudication Criteria
Each team competes for the following 5 points. (detailed description for each point available by following the link)
- Arguments
- Form
- Teamwork
- Engagement
- Star Quality
At the end of the debate, after the jury deliberates, they will award the points (one by one) to the teams explaining briefly their justification. The team with the majority of the 5 points wins the debate.
The jury also announces the Best Speaker from the losing team.
¶ Telecom's Team through the years
Find the members of the teams through the years here.
¶ Events
On Saturday 28th February of 2015, Telecom debating club faced ENA in a debating challenge.
¶ Sources
This club is mentionned in the plaquette alpha 2015-2016, and in the LH21 2015.