DATUK WIRA DR.ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES 1.0 Name Datuk Wira Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad Challenge Trophy English Language Debate Competition 2.0 Format 2.1 A team representing a school consists of 3 main debaters and 2 reserves. 2.2 The proposition team is known as the Affirmative or the Government while the opposition team is known as the Negative or Opposition. 2.3 Allocation of time and speaking order: TURN AFFIRMATIVE TURN NEGATIVE TIME 1 1st Speaker 2 1st Speaker 8 minutes 3 2nd Speaker 4 2nd Speaker 8 minutes 5 3rd Speaker 6 3rd Speaker 8 minutes 8 Reply Speech 7 Reply Speech 4 minutes st nd st 1 / 2 Affirmative nd 1 / 2 Negative 2.4 The third debater from both teams shall not introduce any new arguments. Their role is mainly to rebut. 2.5 While the debater is speaking, the opposition team can offer ‘Point(s) of Information’ (formal interjections). The debater may accept or decline it. 2.6 After all the debaters have spoken once, the 1 st or 2nd debater of each side gives a reply speech with the Negative’s Reply Speech being delivered first followed by the Affirmative. 1 3.0 Eligibility 3.1 The competition is open to all students from Form 1 to 5 from all government-aided secondary schools under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia except residential schools. 3.2 A school is allowed to send only one team to participate in the competition. 3.3 Each team should comprise of at least one Bumiputera student (according to Article 153, The Malaysian Constitution) who is a speaking member of the team. Exceptions should be made if the student population consists of a particular ethnic group as the demographic in that school. 3.3.1 If there is evidence prior to, during or after the competition contrary to the declared status, the team will be disqualified. 3.4 4.0 Every member of a participating team should come from the same school. (Failure in doing so will result in disqualification) Adjudication 7 4.3 Adjudicators should not adjudicate the team from their own schools / districts / states unless there are no adjudicators available. 5. .10 If any one team fails to show up 5 minutes after the quarantine time.2 Experienced adjudicators should be appointed and briefed on the rules of adjudication at least an hour before the debate.9 Teams are required to be seated at the debate venue(s) 5 minutes before the debate commences.1.5. appointed by the Division of Cocurriculum and Arts. Adjudicators decide the winner of the debate independently.0 4.9 Prizes 4. 5.1. 5. the team will be disqualified. 5.9. 4.5 The debate will be won by the team which scores a majority of votes from the adjudicators on the panel. 5.9. 4.1.6 Immediately after a debate.1 The debate topics will be given to the competing teams 2 weeks before the competition.1 The Debate Process 5.1.8 Once the scoresheets have been handed in.6 The team will then be quarantined in their quarantine rooms for ONE hour to prepare for the debate. No electronic gadgets are allowed.1. The time for quarantine commences.1.1.1.5 A team which is late (more than 5 minutes without information on their whereabouts) would automatically take on the other position contrary to what the team already present has drawn.1. There should be no discussions among the adjudicators when deciding the winner of the debate. 5. The final debate at the national level will be adjudicated by a panel of 5 adjudicators.1. A grace period of not more than 30 minutes will be given to the team that is late after which quarantine time commences.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams. They shall refer to the adjudicators’ comment sheets to decide on the winner. 4.8 The team is allowed to use their own printed reference materials in the quarantine room.2 The teams will draw the stand ONE hour before a debate commences. 4. The team members should not be in contact with any unauthorized personnel.4 Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet. 4. 5.1.1 A panel of at least 3 or 5 adjudicators will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. 4. the team already present will be allowed to draw and quarantine time will commence.1 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. 4. 5. 5.3 The draw should take place as scheduled. Scores awarded by adjudicators are not to be added together to decide the winner. A walk over will be awarded to the team that is present. The quarantine officers must be in the room with the team. the adjudicators shall meet and confer to decide on the Best Debater. 2 Individual marks will not be disclosed. Ministry of Education.7 Only the team members competing (3 main debaters and 2 reserves) will be allowed in the quarantine room. the Speaker will collect the result slip from the Chief Adjudicator. 4. failure of which. Procedure of Debate 5. 5.11 Marks will be deducted under strategy if there is prompting from any individual other than the debaters during the quarantine time and the debate competition.4 Any team that is late would have to inform the organisers within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. 5 The Speaker must ensure that the adjudicators be given enough time to fill in their marks and wait for the signal from the Chief Adjudicator before the next debater is called.1 The Timekeeper must ensure that each debater is given 8 minutes to deliver his or her speech. Therefore.6 A debater may either accept the Point of Information or decline it. 5. a question a remark a clarification a correction of word(s) or statement(s).2.2. the bell will be rung twice.3 The Speaker will read out the rules of the debate and then proceed to introduce the timekeeper.5.) 5. ii. 6. (Placards may be used by the timekeeper to indicate the remaining time left. 6.1 Each team will be chaired by a Chairperson who will be addressed as Mr. the bell will be rung twice to signal the end of the debate.4 During the Reply Speech. A bell will be rung to signal the beginning and the end of the time allocated for Points of Information.5 Giving and taking Points of Information should be done politely. 5. adjudicators and debaters. 6.7 A debater MUST give or take at least 2 Points of Information during the course of the debate. 5. 4 6.3. Speaker or Madam Speaker.7.1 A Point of Information is a formal interjection. at intervals of one minute. At the end of the 8 th minute.0 Points of Information 6.7.2 The Timekeeper will ring the bell once after the 1 st minute and at the end of the 7 th minute to signal the time allocated for Points of Information.4 No heckling or harassment or barracking is allowed at any time during the debate. the opponent may make a short point or ask a question that deals with some issues of the debate (preferably one just made by the debater).1 A debater who does not offer the minimum number of Points of Information will be marked down for SUBSTANCE and STRATEGY.3 The Role of the Chairperson / Speaker 5. 6. the Points of Information put forth must be concise. The Role of the Timekeeper 5. 6.1 Substance for failing to take advantage of opportunities .2 The Speaker is responsible for the smooth running of the debate. 6. Points of Information are not allowed during the 1 st and final minutes of the speech. iv.4 The Speaker must refrain from making any comments concerning the debate or debaters during the debate.2. It can be: i. 5.1. 6.2. Rude.3. the Timekeeper will ring the bell once at the 3 rd minute to signal that the debater has 1 minute left.2 5. iii. 5. 6.2 A Point of Information may be offered by a member of the opposing team from the 2 nd minute to the 7th minute of the time allocated to the debater. At the end of the 4 th minute. A debater is required to raise his or her hand and to stand when putting forth a Point of Information.3 A maximum time of 3 minutes will be given to both teams to prepare for the Reply Speech.2. If accepted.3 A time limit of 15 seconds is allowed for each Point of Information.3. 5. abusive or aggressive behaviour in both instances will lead to a reduction of marks from the STYLE section.3. if a major argument is plainly weak.5 Second. The debater on the floor is not obliged to accept every point.2. 1. even if the other team does not refute.2 Finish the sentence and then accept the point 6.1. not a minor example which the opposing team correctly chooses to ignore in favour of attacking more significant points. REFERENCE FOR THE SCORESHEET 1.7. 1. This is not an automatic rule but it is true in many cases.2 Substance also includes an assessment of the weight of the rebuttal or clash.6.2 5 Substance for failing to allow the other side to make their point Strategy for not understanding the role of the debater under this style or cowardice in not accepting a challenge 6.1 the structure and timing of the speech and 7 1.1. you should probably not take into account this special knowledge unless the ICJ’s decision was a matter of extreme public notoriety.1 1.1.2.1. it must be a major argument. For example. if you are a lawyer and you know that a team’s argument was debunked by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week.9 The Etiquette of presenting Points of Information (POI) 6.2 whether the debater understood the issues of the debate. .9.7. This assessment must be done from the standpoint of the average reasonable person.1. You must assess the weight of the arguments without being influenced by the magnificence of the orator who presented them.4 First.2 6.1 Substance covers the arguments that are used and are divorced from the speaking style.9.9.2.2.7. Two consequences flow from these. STRATEGY 1. the team has led the other team to get away with a weak argument. In effect.1. If a team introduces weak arguments.8 No Points of Information may be offered during the Reply Speeches. Of course.2 Strategy for failing to understand the role of the debater under this style A debater who fails to accept any Points of Information would be marked down for SUBSTANCE AND STRATEGY.2 STRATEGY LANGUAGE STYLE SUBSTANCE 1. 6. 1.1 6. 6.1.1. an opposing team which does not refute may well have committed greater sin than the team which introduced it.3 The adjudicator’s job is to assess the strength of an argument regardless of whether the other team is able to knock it down. it will not score highly in substance. adjudicators have to be careful not to be influenced by their own beliefs or their own specialized knowledge.2.3 Accept the point there and then.0 Marks are awarded to each debater according to: SUBSTANCE 1.7. 1. He or she may 6.1 Strategy requires some attention.1 Ask the interrupter to sit down 6. It covers two concepts: 1.1.9.1.1 A Point of Information is offered by standing and saying “Point of Information” or something similar. It is as if you are seeing the arguments written down rather than spoken.1. including the use of figures of speech.3 1. Such a speaker would not understand the important issues of the debate and should not score well in Strategy. appropriate and apt to the occasion. The sequence of arguments is logical and flows naturally from point to point.4.4. 1.4.4 LANGUAGE 1. 1.1 The term is rather misleading. but also the proper time and priority given in the STRATEGY category. Adjudicators are not looking for debaters who are stylish. intonation and clarity of speech.2. 1. rhythm.2. unless a debater is reading from them heavily.2. fluency. English being a foreign language here. It is a waste of time for a rebuttal speaker to deal with points if crucial arguments are left unanswered. This is true of the first debater outlining the Government’s case as it is of the third debater rebutting the Government’s case. but any expression which is mumbled or not clearly understood should not merit high marks in the Language section. Of course. meaningful gestures and eye contact) and with the use of specific terminology. This is because it is more logical to get rid of the opposing arguments first before trying to put something in its place. may merit positive marks for Language.2 Style covers the way the debaters’ speak.6 Understanding the Issues Closely related to the last point is that the debater should understand what the important issues were in the debate.3. Along the way. therefore.3 On the other hand.3. etc. 8 1.2 Structure A good speech has a clear beginning.3. This debater should get poor marks for Substance because the rebuttal was weak but the debater should get reasonable marks for Strategy because the right arguments were being addressed.3 Timing is also important. poise. in funny accents.3. 1. Good speech structure.4 A debater ought to give priority to important issues and leave unimportant ones to later. adjudicators should not be looking for Queen’s English in our debaters. middle and end. Be tolerant of different ways of presenting arguments.7 It is very important that adjudicators understand the difference between Strategy and Substance. 1. Imagine a debate where a debater answers critical issues with some weak rebuttal.3 Use of palm cards and notes are allowed and should not be penalised.2. 1. the adjudicator must weigh not only the strength of the arguments in the SUBSTANCE category.2.1 Language refers to using appropriate expressions containing correct sentence structures and grammar. a speaker who understood what the issues were and dealt with them thoroughly should score well in Strategy. any good language expression.2. 1.2.2. Penalise only when a debater’s style has gone beyond what everyone would expect.5 So.2 It also covers pronunciation. there are signposts to help us see where the debater is going. body language (movement.1.4. It is generally a good idea to rebut or begin with an attack on the other side by subsequent debaters before going on to the debater’s own case. but it must not be taken to extremes. STYLE 1. By contrast. There are two aspects of timing: 1.2 giving an appropriate amount of time to the issues in the speech 1. idioms. 1. is one component of the strategy. 1. This can be noted in many ways.1 speaking within the allowed time limit and 1. .3.4 Be tolerant of speaking styles and speed of delivery. iii. the rebutting team does not have to attack each of the examples individually as well. Yes. Denied.3 The debaters play this role by offering Points of Information. Note: The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation must not be an exact replica. please. each debater must take part from beginning to end. Point. a Reply speaker who descends to the level of dealing with individual examples probably does not understand either the issues of the debate or the principles of good arguments. It may be that a team has used a number of examples to illustrate the same point. The examples might be weak but the central case might still be sound. please.2 A Reply speaker does not have time to deal with small arguments or individual examples. TO DECLINE i. .2 There is another consequence for rebuttal. 4.1 The use of general cases has consequences for rebuttal or clash. This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the Ministry. Sorry. iv. 4.0 THE REPLY SPEECH 3.1 The thematic approach to argument outlined above becomes critical in the Reply Speeches. If they can all be disposed off by the same piece of rebuttal. Point of Information. 4. ii. thanks. Please go ahead. These have been described as an ‘adjudication from our side’ and really amount to an overview of the major issues in the debate. The Opposition team cannot concentrate on attacking the examples used by the Government. Sir / Miss. As a general rule. Yes. ACCEPT OR DECLINE POINTS OF INFORMATION TO REQUEST i.0 REBUTTAL 2. The debater may either accept or decline. vi. P. Yes. The debater must deal with the two or three major issues in the debate in global terms. Please.0 POINTS OF INFORMATION 4. Point of Information. the team will have to concentrate on that case because that is where the debate actually is. If the opponent (during his / her Point (s) of information) is taking too much of your time.1 A ‘Point of Information’ is offered in the course of speech by a member of the opposing team. No. accepted.O.I. It is a formal interjection. A debater who takes no part in the debate other than by making a speech would be marked down for Substance and Strategy. iii. LIST OF EXPRESSIONS TO REQUEST. not just during their own speech. thank you. If accepted.2 Points of Information bring about a major change in the role of the debaters in a debate. 2. iv. you can ask him / her to sit down if he / she has exceeded the 15 seconds’ time limit. P. In this style. showing how they favour the debater’s team and work against the opposing team. they must still demonstrate that they are involved in the debate by at least offering. Sir / Miss. Even if the points are not accepted. ii.I v. Yes. Instead. v. 3. v. 3. Sorry. TO ACCEPT i.2. the opponent may make a short point or ask a question that deals with some issues in the debate (preferably one just made by the debater).O. ii. No. iv. iii. please. electrical items such as computers. majority vote - 11. You have exceeded the time limit for POI.You may use these expressions: i. Kindly sit down. Sir / Miss. questions. heckling - to interrupt by taunts 10. digital media players. harassment - 9. iii. You are taking too much of my time. clarification - 5. electronic gadgets. strategy - how each team member work together to argue the case 19. substance - the arguments presented during the debate to seek further information or explanation on matters to discuss and come to a consensus decision to trouble. reduction of marks. *** Please note that it is of utmost importance that debaters be polite at all times during the course of the debate especially when accepting or declining Point(s) of Information. clarify. comment sheet- a sheet where the adjudicators write his / her comments during the proceedings of the debate 6. MP3. Please sit down. rebuttal - to refute or disprove the opponent’s arguments by offering contrary contentions or arguments 14. adjudicator - a person called to judge a debate to determine the winner 2. barracking - to criticize loudly.in Parliamentary Style Debate marks are not deducted from a team’s or individual’s marks but are reduced 16. point(s) of - 13. GLOSSARY 1. case line - please refer to Stand 4. radios. etc. etc. reply speech - an arena where a debater will sum up the team’s arguments and then rebut the opposing team’s major arguments brought up during the debate 15. make a remark or correct a word or statement . 8. the winner is determined by the number of votes given to the winning team a formal interjection where the opposing team can ask Information questions. ii. confer - 7. Your time limit is up. Speaker - a person who chairs a debate and ensures the smooth running of the proceedings 17. torment or confuse by continual persistent attacks. marked down - please refer to the reduction of marks 12. handphones. Please sit down. shout or jeer against a team or debater 3. You are taking too much of my time. iv. stand -from which angle the team is going to argue the case 18. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS TIMING Role 1st Government 1st Opposition 2nd Government 2nd Opposition 3rd Government 3rd Opposition Reply Speech (Opposition) Reply Speech (Government) Timekeeper’s Name Signature Date Time .DATUK WIRA DR. DATUK WIRA DR. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION GOVERNMENT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS SCORESHEET SCHOOL/STATE: ROLE NAME 1 TEAM : ADJUDICATOR’S TOPIC : 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 1 2 NAME FIRST GOVERNMENT MARKS SECOND GOVERNMENT THIRD GOVERNMENT REPLY SPEECH 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 14-15 12-13 10-11 8-9 6-7 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 9-10 7-8 5-6 4 3 86100 70-85 5669 4055 2439 86100 7085 5669 4055 2439 86-100 70-85 5669 4055 2439 45-50 3644 3035 2429 1823 SUBSTANCE (30) STRATEGY (30) MARKS LANGUAGE (20) STYLE (20) TOTAL (100) GRAND TOTAL : GOVERNMENT/OPPOSITION /350 WINNING TEAM : ADJUDICATOR’S NAME : ADJUDICATOR’S SIGNATURE : DATE : . ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION OPPOSITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ADJUDICATOR’S SCORESHEET SCHOOL/STATE: ROLE NAME 1 TEAM : TOPIC : 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 NAME FIRST OPPOSITION MARKS SECOND OPPOSITION THIRD OPPOSITION REPLY SPEECH 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 26-30 21-25 16-20 11-15 6-10 14-15 12-13 10-11 8-9 6-7 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 18-20 15-17 12-14 9-11 6-8 9-10 7-8 5-6 4 3 86100 70-85 5669 4055 2439 86100 7085 5669 4055 2439 86-100 70-85 5669 4055 2439 45-50 3644 3035 2429 1823 SUBSTANCE (30) STRATEGY (30) MARKS LANGUAGE (20) STYLE (20) TOTAL (100) GRAND TOTAL : GOVERNMENT/OPPOSITION /350 WINNING TEAM : ADJUDICATOR’S NAME : ADJUDICATOR’S SIGNATURE : DATE : .DATUK WIRA DR. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR : __________ REPLY SPEECH OPPOSITION GOVERNMENT REBUTTAL REBUTTAL SUMMARY SUMMARY DATUK WIRA DR. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR : __________ .DATUK WIRA DR. ADJUDICATOR’S NOTES ST 1 GOVERNMENT 1ST OPPOSITION 2ND GOVERNMENT 2ND OPPOSITION 3RD GOVERNMENT 3RD OPPOSITION NAME : NAME : NAME : NAME : NAME : NAME : POI (INTERJECTED) POI (INTERJECTED) POI (INTERJECTED) POI (INTERJECTED) POI (INTERJECTED) POI(INTERJECTED) POI (ANSWERED) POI (ANSWERED) POI (ANSWERED) POI (ANSWERED) POI (ANSWERED) POI(ANSWERED) Definition: Defn – Agree/Refute New Definition : Defn – Agree/Refute Redefine : Rebut 2nd Government : Rebut 2nd Opposition : Rebut 3rd Government : Rebut 1st Opposition : Rebut 2nd Government : Rebut 1st Government Specify Stand : Specify Stand : Rebut 1st Opposition : Rebut 1st Government : Specify Role : Specify Role : Argument 2 : Argument 2 : Argument 1 : Argument 1 : Argument 3 : Argument 3 : Reaffirm case : Reaffirm case : Reaffirm case : Reaffirm case : POI POI POI POI Rebut 1st Government : Reaffirm Case : Reaffirm Case : POI IP DATUK WIRA DR. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ELABORATIONS ON ASPECTS OF ADJUDICATION . fluency. eye contact and voice modulation. (Be tolerant of speaking style and speed of delivery) . rhythm. STRATEGY 3. SUBSTANCE 2. intonation and clarity Good language and expression appropriately used e.1. idioms and figures of speech 4.g. middle and ending Speaking within the time limit Appropriate amount of time given to issues in the speech Focus of rebuttal mainly on main issues presented in the debate Critical issues with weak rebuttal would mean lower score for SUBSTANCE but reasonable marks may be awarded for STRATEGY because the right arguments were addressed LANGUAGE Appropriate expression Correct sentence structure and grammar Pronunciation. STYLE Presentation on the way the debaters speak include body language. Arguments divorced from speaking style Assess weight of rebuttal Assess points of argument Assess weight of argument without influence of oratory Covers structure and time Good speech has beginning. DATUK WIRA DR. ABDUL RAHMAN ARSHAD CHALLENGE TROPHY ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBATE COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR : __________ RESULT TEAM PRELIMINARY / QUARTER FINAL / SEMI FINAL / FINAL School / State WINNING TEAM BEST DEBATER .