Advanced BP Seminar

1. Advanced BP Seminar

2. The BP Round (Opening Government) Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister (Closing Government) Member of Government Government Whip (Opening Opposition) Leader of Opposition Deputy Leader of Opp. (Closing Opposition) Member of Opposition Opposition Whip

3. The BP Round (OG) PM DPM (CG) MG GW (OO) LO DLO (CO) MO OW

4. Speaker Roles: PM Define the grounds of the debate Outline the government case Deliver substantive material/argumentation

5. Speaker Roles: LO (don�t) challenge definitions Outline the opposition case Deliver substantive material/argumentation Clash with PM�s arguments

6. Speaker Roles: DPM Deliver substantive material/argumentation Clash with LO�s arguments Reconstruct

7. Speaker Roles: DLO Deliver substantive material/argumentation Clash with matter on the table DPM = 1st priority PM�s standing arguments� Reconstruct

8. Speaker Roles: MG Deliver extension Clash with OO material (especially DLO)

9. Speaker Roles: MO Deliver extension Clash with matter on the table Special responsibility to engage MG Also engage OG

10. Speaker Roles: GW (clash with MO) Summarize the debate

11. Speaker Roles: OW Summarize the debate

12. General Tips Rebuttal No judging on flow Attack their strengths Structure Signpost, outline, summarize POIs --> very important in BP Teamwork Follow the rules & fulfill your role!

13. Strategy: OG You construct a debate and a case Constructing the debate: Make sure it�s winnable (and losable!) Clarity in definition/limitation of scope The axes of debate You need to think about these What are the big, relevant, interesting issues (on both sides?)

14. Strategy: OG Importance of Case Construction How to construct: Be clear! Know your burden & have a plan to win Questions that need answers: What is the problem? What is the proposed solution? What are the benefits of the plan? What are the costs of the plan? Is it worth it? One way to win�lots of ways to lose (exageration, but important). Much easier for them to oppose your construct than your substantive material�and allowed. So avoid that by constructing well! Additional question (possible: what are the barriers/why do they not exist) One way to win�lots of ways to lose (exageration, but important). Much easier for them to oppose your construct than your substantive material�and allowed. So avoid that by constructing well! Additional question (possible: what are the barriers/why do they not exist)

15. How an OG wins Two criteria: set up a good debate, matter still in the round at the end How to do this? 1) clear, fair construct that sets up a good round 2) debate really well, so that either: A) you demolish 1st opposition B) the 1st half is really good

16. Speech Strategy: PM Should be best speech of the round Passion, great analysis, examples, structure Control the debate: get on strong Gov ground Trap the LO: Traps� Set up arguments you have responses to Address the key issues

17. Speech Strategy: The DPM Really important speech --> only OG clash! Should have important, deep substantive contribution Demolish the LO Easier if you�ve anticipated their arguments/the PM has set them up Set up a strategic choice for the DLO Note about anticipation: always argue what happened, not what was anticipated if you anticipate all the good arguments, then if they come up with something else it should be easy to beat (because it�s less good) Sometimes they just come up with brilliant, new stuff�deal with it as best you can Strategic Choice for DLO: as simple as you beat their partner�do they shift or continue to lose More complicated�questions with no right answerNote about anticipation: always argue what happened, not what was anticipated if you anticipate all the good arguments, then if they come up with something else it should be easy to beat (because it�s less good) Sometimes they just come up with brilliant, new stuff�deal with it as best you can Strategic Choice for DLO: as simple as you beat their partner�do they shift or continue to lose More complicated�questions with no right answer

18. Strategy: OO Role = defeat the OG, introduce own substantive matter Translation: kick the government in the teeth Seize control of the round Prep: similar to OG Know the big questions/big issues & your stance During the PM: Figure out what�s a) the debate & b) the case Decide where you fit --> choose a stance you don�t just have to beat them, to win the whole round you must beat them conclusivelyyou don�t just have to beat them, to win the whole round you must beat them conclusively

19. Speech Strategy: LO Frame the round Outline your case (where you fit) Make constructive arguments Attack the case Model opp Refutation & rebuttal Summarize & challenge

20. Speech Strategies: DLO Goal = be so clear and decisive that people no longer feel like having a second half Don�t go it alone�building on the set-up from your partner Your points should be really smart Refutation - sparing (should be mostly done) Rebuttal - huge for DLO Summary - set the terms for the CG

21. Strategy: Closing House Three jobs: Clash (and win) Say something new (and better) Summarize (well) Strategy = so context-dependent But again - what are the big issues, where do you fit? Always think strategically Fun because rules so vague - so much flexibility

22. Speech Strategy: MG/MO Make sure to engage/clash (especially MO) Extension Anything new counts That doesn�t mean it�s good => think strategically

23. Speech Strategy : Whip Goal = summary But a biased summary that makes you win Doing a lot of rebuttal work as you go (fine line to walk) Summarise thematically What are the big issues - where did everyone fit? If you construct your extension well, this should follow naturally