Learning the Speaker Positions with Sam

Prime Minister's Speech in Opening Government:

When you start departing, this is the most intimidating speech. I was always scared to start the debate—especially when I was unsure of the motion or how to set up the debate properly. However, after learning more about the opening government position, and mainly the prime minister’s speech, this is actually one of the most fun and interesting places to be in a debate. So…fear not! Together we will walk through the steps on how to make a good prime minister’s speech.

How to start? When my partner and I are assigned an opening government position in a debate, we sit together and re-read the motion three to four times. We always make sure that together we understand what the motion is asking us to argue. It the government’s burden to define the motion in a reasonable way that is accessible.
Unreasonable definitions create a bad debate, and as the opening government team, you will be penalized for definitions of a motion that are exclusive.
After you have an understanding of how you want to shape the debate, begin to think of your case and argument. Between you and your partner, brainstorm independently for about five minutes. After you brainstorm ideas about what to argue and support your claim, talk with your partner and find the strongest points. Usually, because the prime minister has to also accomplish model work, your deputy prime minister will tackle two constructive points and the pm will handle one, longer constructive point.

For an example speech, I usually begin with the model work. Depending on the motion this could take anywhere from 1-3 minutes.
Within the model, remember to define who the house is, the limits of the motion, and what you think the burdens are for each side of the debate.

Model example: THB that representative government has failed.
Actor: I would define it as Western liberal democracies; however, a more limited actor could be the European Union or Britain. An unexpected and poor example would be North Korea as the actor.
Limits of the Debate: The burden of the government is to prove that representative governments have done more harm than good to their constituencies and have failed in their original goals when created. The burden of the opposition is to prove how representative governments have met their goals.
For the conclusion of the speech, the PM will focus on building the constructive matter of the speech. 
For a time breakdown:
·       1 Minute – win the audience, capture the attention of your judges, define you speech, state your argument in a concise manner, define your team approach (preview what your partner will say)
·       2 minute – do not take POIs until you have developed the argument, transition into your first constructive point
·       3-6 minutes – accept POIs, continue to reference your tagline that the judges will remember from the beginning of your speech
·       7th minute – finish your point and summarize your argument, restate the main point of your argument

The best advice I receive for improve at the PM position is to have fun! Be confident and own the debate space. There is nothing better than speaking first and setting the tone for a good, fun, educational debate.
Best of luck!

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