Otaku Parliamentary Debate (OPD)

Otaku Parliamentary Debate

Are you passionate about anime? Do you and your friends like to express your views about anime to the people around you- weather they want to hear them or not? How would you like to express your views to more than just a handful of people?

If you do, then do we have the venue for you! The Otaku Parliamentary Debate is the place to show off your insights as well your debating skills and make a persuasive argument from a variety of topics.

Three-man teams will be competing- not only for prizes, for the bragging rights for being the top team at Anime Expo 2010!

It won’t be easy- not only will you have to beat the other competing teams; you will have to defeat the current champions- who will be attempting a third consecutive victory this year!

So…do you think you can debate?

Even if you don’t want to debate, we will give audience members a chance to participate and compete for prizes!

OPD last year was AWESOME! If you don’t believe me, check out these YouTube videos! We expect an even greater attendance this year.

What is Otaku Parliamentary Debate?

Otaku Parliamentary Debate, OPD for short, is a debate contest at AX that will run from Day One to Day Three of the con.

Day One is the first round of debates with four debates in total.

Day Two will consist of the second round for those who won on the previous day.

Day Three will consist of the Semi-Finals and the Finals where two top teams will go head to head! The team with the strongest debate skills will reign supreme!

The format is run similar to a Parliamentary debate, where there are two teams arguing either favor or oppose on the topic. The only difference between a regular Parliamentary Debate and OPD is that all the topics will be Anime, Manga, and Video Games!

When and where is Otaku Parliamentary Debate?

TBA

Who may compete in OPD?

Anyone with a full four-day Pass and knows the premise of Parliamentary Debate may compete. There is no age restriction, (although it is recommended that anyone over the age of 14 and up with some background of debate experience compete since the competition is formatted as a standard Parliamentary Debate). Anyone who doesn’t know the rules and procedures of Parliamentary Debate will be disqualified from competing in OPD.

How Many teams may compete at OPD?

A total of eight (8) teams may compete at OPD. Each team is made up of two (2) speakers with one being the first proponent or opponent and the other as the second proponent or opponent to the topic. A third individual may join as an advisor to the team, but may not speak during the competition.

What are the rules at OPD?

Rules are quite simple:

• Follow all parliamentary rules and procedures
• No yelling
• No swearing / cussing
• Be professional
• Most Important of all, have fun!

How does Parliamentary Debate Work?

The specifics of the debate itself are quite long. However, there is this website by the University of Vermont that gives a good explanation on the rules and procedures of it works.

The format of the debate structure is as follows.

Speech Time Limit

• First Proposition Constructive Speech 7 minutes
• First Opposition Constructive Speech 8 minutes
• Second Proposition Constructive Speech 8 minutes
• Second Opposition Constructive Speech 8 minutes
• Opposition Rebuttal 4 minutes
• Proposition Rebuttal 5 minutes

* The Moderator, Mr. Sin will have the final judgment on any changes in the OPD format.

Details

Finalists from last year will be competing this year.
You must have a team of 3 in order to compete.
Out of the three, only two will speak while the third will be an advisor.
A total of 8 teams will compete.

Sign-ups

Preliminary Sign-ups can be done by posting here in this thread in the AX Forums. Formal sign-ups will be done at con. Please provide the following information:

• Team Name
• Members of your team.

What are the topics at OPD?

Coming Soon!

AX 2009 OPD Winners