British Parliamentary Debate

The strategic responsibility on a team or side in a debate

The second team on the government side. Responsible for extending the government case and summating the debate in favor of the government.

The second team on the opposition side. Responsible for extending the opposition case and summating the debate in favor of the opposition.

The focus of the debate; the strategic way of looking at the issue to benefit your side of the motion.

The act of contradicting your partner's case, either knowingly or unknowingly.

A preview of necessary information to understand the debate topic.

The link is the conclusion of an argument, usually to showcase the importance of the argument to the motion at hand.

The first team on the government side. Responsible for defining the motion, presenting arguments in favor of the motion and rebutting opening opposition.

The first team on the opposition side. Responsible for presenting arguments against the motion and rebutting opening government.

The proposal of one of the teams as to what new rules will operate.

When teams on similar team point totals are drawn to debate against each other. The standard format for most British Parliamentary competitions.

To be put in a room with teams on higher team points that you.

When the panel judges overrule the chair judge in the adjudication.

Short for World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC), this is the premiere debate tournament in the British Parliamentary debate format.

An observer of a debate who is responsible for deciding which team has won. Where there is more than one adjudicator, they sit as an adjudication panel.