General Rules

The aim of this page is to give you an idea of how to debate. It's not just a simple case of standing up and saying the first thing that comes into your head. There are certain rules and guidelines which have to be strictly adhered to if you want to have any chance in a competitive debate. This is not the page with all the answers.

1.The first speaker will present the agenda and explain their election strategy. The second speaker will elaborate the agenda, deal with current issues and give solutions to problems. The last speaker or the Whip on each side is expected to sum up his/her side's argument and rebut or refute the arguments of the other side. Generally this speaker will not add a great deal of new information to the debate. The Whip should be chosen carefully.

2.Speeches should be 4 minutes in duration. Speakers exceeding this may be penalised but should never be substantially less than this. In general you should speak for at least 3:45 and generally not more than 4:15. Ideally stay on your feet until you hear the 4th minute bell and then finish (i.e. Mr. Speaker sir, I beg to........) and then stand open to Points of Information for two minutes. Your times will be recorded by the timekeeper and given to the adjudicators as they leave to make their decision.

3.A bell will be rung after the expiration of one minute and four minutes.

4.Points of information may only be offered after the expiration of 4th minute. POIs may only be given by the opposing speakers and should generally be not more than 15 seconds in duration. They will be only in the form of questions. The chairman may request a speaker to end a point of information at his/her discretion.

5.Adjudicators also frown upon barracking (constantly interrupting the speaker by offering points) and the chair is expected to control this. Acceptance of points of information is at discretion of the competitor holding the floor. Once you have accepted a point of information you can't just ignore it and carry on. You must deal with it or risk the adjudicator's wrath.

6.Speakers must strictly observe parliamentary language. The "house", which will often be referred to, is basically the adjudicators, competitors, audience, etc.

7.Rebuttal is vital in any competitive speech. Any argument left unchallenged is allowed to stand. The later you come in a debate the more rebuttals you must use.

8.If you can use humour it can be extremely effective in this debate. You can ridicule and destroy an opponent's whole speech with a one-line joke attacking it.
Those who want to register for Intras can enrol themselves with Mr. Sandeep in room number 101 till 5p.m, 6th April. Please mention your name, house and semester. For any doubts and more details in this regard, contact Mr. Aashish Pande. For detailed rule book please email at rmlnlusatta2009@gmail.com. All participating teams are advised to be thorough with the rules. Teams sticking to the rules will get more marks!!!!