Advanced BP Seminar

1
Advanced BP Seminar
2
The BP Round

• (Opening Government)
• Prime Minister
• Deputy Prime Minister
• (Closing Government)
• Member of Government
• Government Whip

• (Opening Opposition)
• Leader of Opposition
• Deputy Leader of Opp.
• (Closing Opposition)
• Member of Opposition
• Opposition Whip

3
The BP Round

• (OG)
• PM
• DPM
• (CG)
• MG
• GW

• (OO)
• LO
• DLO
• (CO)
• MO
• OW

4
Speaker Roles PM

• Define the grounds of the debate
• Outline the government case
• Deliver substantive material/argumentation

5
Speaker Roles LO

• (dont) challenge definitions
• Outline the opposition case
• Deliver substantive material/argumentation
• Clash with PMs arguments

6
Speaker Roles DPM

• Deliver substantive material/argumentation
• Clash with LOs arguments
• Reconstruct

7
Speaker Roles DLO

• Deliver substantive material/argumentation
• Clash with matter on the table
• DPM 1st priority
• PMs standing arguments
• Reconstruct

8
Speaker Roles MG

• Deliver extension
• Clash with OO material (especially DLO)

9
Speaker Roles MO

• Deliver extension
• Clash with matter on the table
• Special responsibility to engage MG
• Also engage OG

10
Speaker Roles GW

• (clash with MO)
• Summarize the debate

11
Speaker Roles OW

• Summarize the debate

12
General Tips

• Rebuttal
• No judging on flow
• Attack their strengths
• Structure
• Signpost, outline, summarize
• POIs --gt very important in BP
• Teamwork
• Follow the rules fulfill your role!

13
Strategy OG

• You construct a debate and a case
• Constructing the debate
• Make sure its winnable (and losable!)
• Clarity in definition/limitation of scope
• The axes of debate
• You need to think about these
• What are the big, relevant, interesting issues
  (on both sides?)

14
Strategy OG

• Importance of Case Construction
• How to construct
• Be clear!
• Know your burden have a plan to win
• Questions that need answers
• What is the problem?
• What is the proposed solution?
• What are the benefits of the plan?
• What are the costs of the plan?
• Is it worth it?

15
How an OG wins

• Two criteria set up a good debate, matter still
  in the round at the end
• How to do this?
• 1) clear, fair construct that sets up a good
  round
• 2) debate really well, so that either
• A) you demolish 1st opposition
• B) the 1st half is really good

16
Speech Strategy PM

• Should be best speech of the round
• Passion, great analysis, examples, structure
• Control the debate get on strong Gov ground
• Trap the LO
• Traps
• Set up arguments you have responses to
• Address the key issues

17
Speech Strategy The DPM

• Really important speech --gt only OG clash!
• Should have important, deep substantive
  contribution
• Demolish the LO
• Easier if youve anticipated their arguments/the
  PM has set them up
• Set up a strategic choice for the DLO

18
Strategy OO

• Role defeat the OG, introduce own substantive
  matter
• Translation kick the government in the teeth
• Seize control of the round
• Prep similar to OG
• Know the big questions/big issues your stance
• During the PM
• Figure out whats a) the debate b) the case
• Decide where you fit --gt choose a stance

19
Speech Strategy LO

• Frame the round
• Outline your case (where you fit)
• Make constructive arguments
• Attack the case
• Model opp
• Refutation rebuttal
• Summarize challenge

20
Speech Strategies DLO

• Goal be so clear and decisive that people no
  longer feel like having a second half
• Dont go it alonebuilding on the set-up from
  your partner
• Your points should be really smart
• Refutation - sparing (should be mostly done)
• Rebuttal - huge for DLO
• Summary - set the terms for the CG

21
Strategy Closing House

• Three jobs
• Clash (and win)
• Say something new (and better)
• Summarize (well)
• Strategy so context-dependent
• But again - what are the big issues, where do you
  fit?
• Always think strategically
• Fun because rules so vague - so much flexibility

22
Speech Strategy MG/MO

• Make sure to engage/clash (especially MO)
• Extension
• Anything new counts
• That doesnt mean its good gt think strategically

23
Speech Strategy Whip

• Goal summary
• But a biased summary that makes you win
• Doing a lot of rebuttal work as you go (fine line
  to walk)
• Summarise thematically
• What are the big issues - where did everyone fit?
• If you construct your extension well, this should
  follow naturally