British Parliamentary Style vs. World Schools Style

Attribute	British Parliamentary Style	World Schools Style
Number of speakers per team	2	3
Number of teams in a debate	2	2
Preparation time	15 minutes	15 minutes
Topics	Varied, can be on any subject	Varied, can be on any subject
Roles	Government and Opposition	Proposition and Opposition
Style of argumentation	More formal and structured	More conversational and interactive

Introduction

Debating is a popular activity that challenges individuals to think critically, communicate effectively, and persuade others. Two common formats for competitive debating are British Parliamentary Style and World Schools Style. While both formats share similarities, they also have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the key features of British Parliamentary Style and World Schools Style to help debaters understand the differences between the two.

Structure

British Parliamentary Style debates typically involve four teams: two government teams and two opposition teams. Each team consists of two speakers who take on specific roles. The first government team introduces the motion and presents arguments in support of it. The first opposition team then responds to the government's arguments and presents their own case against the motion. The second government team rebuts the opposition's arguments and introduces new points, while the second opposition team concludes the debate by summarizing the key points made by both sides.

On the other hand, World Schools Style debates involve three teams: two sides and a panel of adjudicators. Each team consists of three speakers who take turns presenting arguments and engaging with the opposing team. The first speaker on each team delivers a constructive speech, the second speaker provides rebuttals and extensions, and the third speaker delivers a summary speech. The adjudicators evaluate the teams based on their arguments, style, and strategy.

Roles

In British Parliamentary Style debates, each team is assigned a specific role based on their position in the debate. The government teams are tasked with proposing and defending the motion, while the opposition teams are responsible for critiquing the government's arguments and presenting counterarguments. This division of roles creates a dynamic and competitive atmosphere where teams must think on their feet and adapt to the arguments presented by their opponents.

In World Schools Style debates, the roles are less rigidly defined, allowing for more flexibility and collaboration within each team. While the first speaker on each team typically introduces the main arguments, all team members are expected to engage with the opposing team's points and contribute to the overall strategy. This collaborative approach encourages teamwork and ensures that each team member has a chance to showcase their skills.

Topics

British Parliamentary Style debates cover a wide range of topics, from political issues to philosophical questions. Debaters must be prepared to argue both in favor of and against a given motion, regardless of their personal beliefs. This format challenges debaters to think critically and consider multiple perspectives on complex issues. The motions are often thought-provoking and require debaters to research and analyze the topic thoroughly.

World Schools Style debates also cover a variety of topics, but the motions are typically more accessible and relevant to a wider audience. The topics are often current events or social issues that are of interest to young people. This format aims to engage debaters and audiences alike by focusing on topics that are timely and relatable. Debaters must be able to connect with the audience and make their arguments accessible to non-experts.

Adjudication

In British Parliamentary Style debates, the adjudication is typically done by a single judge who evaluates the teams based on their arguments, style, and strategy. The judge provides feedback on each team's performance and selects a winning team based on their overall performance in the debate. This format allows for a more subjective evaluation of the teams and gives the judge the flexibility to consider various factors in their decision.

In World Schools Style debates, the adjudication is done by a panel of adjudicators who evaluate the teams based on a set of criteria, such as content, style, strategy, and teamwork. The panel discusses the debate after it concludes and reaches a consensus on the winning team. This format aims to provide a more objective evaluation of the teams and ensures that multiple perspectives are considered in the decision-making process.

Conclusion

Both British Parliamentary Style and World Schools Style offer unique opportunities for debaters to hone their skills and engage in meaningful debates. While British Parliamentary Style emphasizes structured arguments and competitive dynamics, World Schools Style focuses on collaboration and accessibility. Debaters can benefit from participating in both formats to develop a well-rounded set of skills and experiences. By understanding the key attributes of each style, debaters can choose the format that best suits their strengths and interests.