Irish Times Debating Rules

Information for Competitors in the Irish Times Debating Competition


by
Rossa Fanning
Convenor 2000-2001,


Introduction
Whether you are an experienced Irish Times speaker, or a novice, you are likely to have questions about the competition’s format and timetable, the difference between the Irish Times and other competitions, the way to approach Irish Times motions, and the way in which debates are adjudicated.
This guide should provide you with all the information that you need. It may be helpful to retain a copy throughout the duration of the competition for reference. This guide, and other information about the competition, is available at http://www.debating.ie/

Competition Structure
There are 16 first round debates, each including around 8-10 teams of two speakers.

2 teams and 2 individual speakers will qualify from each debate for the second round. The 32 teams and 32 individuals who qualify for the second round will be divided into 8 second round debates, each with 4 teams and 4 individuals.

From each second round debate, 2 teams and 2 individuals will qualify for the semi-finals.

At the semi-final stage, the 16 teams and 16 individuals will be divided into 4 semi-finals, each containing 4 teams and 4 individuals. From each semi-final, 1 team and 1 individual qualify for the final.

At the final, the winning team and winning individual speaker are chosen, The prize for the winners is an all-expenses-paid debating tour of U.S. Universities.


Logistics
The only information that you need to compete is an order paper. At the first round stage, you will be selected by your union or society to compete in a particular debate, as DIT C, UCC Philosoph F, TCD Hist A or something similar. The number has no significance, and will be replaced by your names, at the first round debate.

The order paper will detail the motion, your speaking position, and the time and place of the debate. On each order paper, a meeting point will be specified (sometimes a reception venue, sometimes the actual debate venue) for 30 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of the debate. The debate will start punctually, and without you, so be there at the specified time. Allow margin for error if it is your first time travelling to the venue.

Each debate is hosted by a particular society or union in the relevant college. They are responsible for providing you with directions, and information on travel and accommodation in the location where the debate is taking place. A contact person and a contact telephone number in the host college are supplied on each order paper, if you need any help.

Notwithstanding this, it is your own responsibility to arrange transport and accommodation for each debate. The college or society that you represent will often make some arrangement with you about defraying your costs. Discuss the matter with them.

Once the competition starts, details of results, and the draw for subsequent rounds will be available on the website, as soon as they are available -

The order papers for the subsequent rounds will not be posted to speakers, but to the society or union that you are representing. If you qualify for a subsequent round, your society or union is responsible for passing on the details to you, though you can access them yourself on the website.

Format of Debates

There is a necessary distinction in format between first round debates, and all subsequent debates.

The First Round
In a first round debate with 8 teams (an average number), 4 teams will propose the motion, and 4 teams will oppose the motion, beginning with the proposition, and speaking alternately, one member of a team at a time. Thus, at the half-way point, the first speaker from each team will have spoken. The second half of the debate follows the same order, with the second member of each team speaking in the same sequence. Thus, in a debate with 8 teams, the order of speaking would be as follows:-

(1) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 1 (2) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 1
(3) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 2 (4) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 2
(5) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 3 (6) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 3
(7) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 4 (8) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 4
(9) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 1 (10) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 1
(11) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 2 (12) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 2
(13) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 3 (14) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 3
(15) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 4 (16) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 4


Subsequent Rounds
Each of these debates will feature 4 teams, and 4 individual speakers. 2 teams and 2 individuals are on each side of the motion. The first member of each team speaks first, then the four individuals, then the second member of the four teams. The order paper will thus be:

(1) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 1 (2) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 1
(3) Speaker 1, Proposition Team 2 (4) Speaker 1, Opposition Team 2
(5) Proposition Individual 1 (6) Opposition Individual 1
(7) Proposition Individual 2 (8) Opposition Individual 2
(9) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 1 (10) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 1
(11) Speaker 2, Proposition Team 2 (12) Speaker 2, Opposition Team 2


Competition Rules
Speeches are of 7 minutes duration. A bell is rung after 1 minute, after 6 minutes, and after 7 minutes, when there is a double bell. Speakers who continue for longer than 30 seconds after this point will be penalised.

Points of Information may be offered from the end of the first minute (when the first bell rings) and until the sixth minute elapses (when the second bell rings). They may only be offered by participating speakers on the opposing side of the debate. To offer a point of information, a speaker should stand up and clearly say “Point of Information” in such a way as to attract the attention of the speaker. A point of information should be no more than 10 seconds in length, and should either take the form of a question, or a brief statement of fact that undermines the speaker’s current point. Accepting points of information is entirely a matter of the speaker’s discretion.

Speakers must be current registered students in the College which they are representing. Any third level educational institution can participate.

Entry fees must be paid in full for the institution before any team is permitted to speak. If you are in doubt as to whether these have been paid, check with your sociey or union.

Debates will start punctually. If you are not there at the commencement of the debate, the order paper will be re-organized and the debate will begin. At that stage it may be impossible for you to participate if you arrive late.

Dress Code
Informal for the first and second round. Formal (black tie) for both semi-finals and final.

Who are the Adjudicators ?
A debating competition is only as good as the persons judging it. Competitors have a legitimate concern about the quality of the judges. Adjudicators of the competition will only be persons of demonstrated ability and experience in competitive debating.

Specifically, this means that first and second round adjudicators will have:

reached a National Final (Times/Mace), or

reached the final of a major International Intervarsity Competition (Oxford, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Cambridge), or

reached the knock-out stages in the World Universities Debating Championships, or

acquired extensive chief-adjudicating experience at International Intervarsity and World Championship Debate level.

Adjudicators at semi-final and final stages:
will have done at least two of the above, and

will have won a National Title, a major International Intervarsity Competition, or reached at least the quarter-finals of the World Championships.

Each adjudication panel will contain graduates from at least two different colleges