Point of information
Encyclopedia
Points of Information are a feature of Parliamentary debate
, allowing an opposing team member to offer a brief point during the current speech. As in some debating styles, such as World Schools Style, they often may not be offered in the first or last minute of any speech (known as protected time), or during Reply Speeches. Points of Information may never be offered to a member of the same team.
Points of Information are an important part of any debate that includes them, as they offer a much greater degree of engagement between teams. In some styles of debate, such as British Parliamentary Style
, they take on an even greater importance as teams are forced to use them in order to maintain their relevance during a debate. Furthermore, they allow speakers to demonstrate greater wit and presence of thought than is generally possible in a speech, as they are required to respond instantly to prepared points from their opposition in a logical way.
A point of information
is also a request for information from the current speaker, in Robert's Rules of Order
.
A rule of thumb
for Points of Information is that each speaker should accept two during the course of their speech, and offer two to every opposing speaker. Taking fewer Points may be interpreted as cowardice when plenty were offered, while speakers that accept too many risk losing control of their speech. Similarly, it is generally frowned upon for speakers to offer excessive POIs, a practice known as badgering that usually results in the adjudicator calling the debate to order.
Points of Information, as with any other debating technique, are subject to each speaker's own personal style. For instance, while it is broadly accepted that a debater should stand when offering a point of information, there is no set wording or format for the offer itself. Examples of valid offers, that may be combined with any of several common hand gestures
, are:
Similarly, there is no set way of dealing with a Point of Information. While a speaker would ideally refute or otherwise deal with it on the spot, it is also acceptable for them to refer the opposing member to another part of their speech (ie, "I will be dealing with this in greater detail later in my speech."), or to refer the entire point to another of their speakers (ie, "This point is clearly incorrect, my second speaker will argue..."). While speakers are not explicitly marked for the quality of their Points of Information or responses to them, they often help to create the impression of skill and improve their overall mark.
Parliamentary Debate
Parliamentary Debate is an academic debate event. Many university level institutions in English speaking nations sponsor parliamentary debate teams, but the format is currently spreading to the high school level as well...
, allowing an opposing team member to offer a brief point during the current speech. As in some debating styles, such as World Schools Style, they often may not be offered in the first or last minute of any speech (known as protected time), or during Reply Speeches. Points of Information may never be offered to a member of the same team.
Points of Information are an important part of any debate that includes them, as they offer a much greater degree of engagement between teams. In some styles of debate, such as British Parliamentary Style
British Parliamentary Style
British Parliamentary style debate is a common form of academic debate. It has gained support in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Europe, Africa, Philippines and United States, and has also been adopted as the official style of the World Universities Debating Championship and European...
, they take on an even greater importance as teams are forced to use them in order to maintain their relevance during a debate. Furthermore, they allow speakers to demonstrate greater wit and presence of thought than is generally possible in a speech, as they are required to respond instantly to prepared points from their opposition in a logical way.
A point of information
Point of information (motion)
In parliamentary procedure, a point of information is a request directed to the chair, or through the chair to another person, for information relevant to the business at hand...
is also a request for information from the current speaker, in Robert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order is the short title of a book containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly written by Brig. Gen...
.
Etiquette
In all competitions that allow Points of Information, their use is restricted by a number of rules to allow the speaker to maintain control of their speech. Generally, the procedure for offering a Point of Information is as follows:- The opposing team member stands, and offers the point.
- The speaker then either accepts or declines the point, or else offers to accept it at the end of their sentence.
- If accepted, the debater that offered the point may then briefly interject a point, question or statement. Generally, they must do this in fifteen seconds or less, and the speaker may cut them off at any point.
- The speaker must then immediately answer the Point of Information.
A rule of thumb
Rule of thumb
A rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation. It is an easily learned and easily applied procedure for approximately calculating or recalling some value, or for making some determination...
for Points of Information is that each speaker should accept two during the course of their speech, and offer two to every opposing speaker. Taking fewer Points may be interpreted as cowardice when plenty were offered, while speakers that accept too many risk losing control of their speech. Similarly, it is generally frowned upon for speakers to offer excessive POIs, a practice known as badgering that usually results in the adjudicator calling the debate to order.
Points of Information, as with any other debating technique, are subject to each speaker's own personal style. For instance, while it is broadly accepted that a debater should stand when offering a point of information, there is no set wording or format for the offer itself. Examples of valid offers, that may be combined with any of several common hand gestures
Gesture
A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body...
, are:
- "On a point of information."
- "May I have this point sir/miss"
- "On [subject] (eg, Political capitalPolitical capitalPolitical capital is primarily based on a public figure's favorable image among the populace and among other important factors in or out of the government. Political capital is essentially the opinion of another person, group of people, or nation about you, your organization, or your government...
or Feasibility)" - "On that point, sir/miss"
Similarly, there is no set way of dealing with a Point of Information. While a speaker would ideally refute or otherwise deal with it on the spot, it is also acceptable for them to refer the opposing member to another part of their speech (ie, "I will be dealing with this in greater detail later in my speech."), or to refer the entire point to another of their speakers (ie, "This point is clearly incorrect, my second speaker will argue..."). While speakers are not explicitly marked for the quality of their Points of Information or responses to them, they often help to create the impression of skill and improve their overall mark.
Types of POI
Points of Information may be offered in several forms, depending on the style of debating being used. The two most common of these are:- Points of Information, where a debater simply offers an argument or question to the speaker.
- Points of Misrepresentation, which allow the opposing team to point out that the speaker is misrepresenting their argument or setting up a Straw manStraw manA straw man is a component of an argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position, twisting his words or by means of [false] assumptions...
. This point does not even require the speaker's acceptance, as the mere offer of a Point of Misrepresentation highlights that the speaker is unfairly treating their opposition.