Along with rebuttal, Points of Information are a vital element of the interactivity of a debate. They are what set a debate apart from other forms of oral activity such as public speaking.
Each of the first four speakers in a Mace debate format has an initial period of ‘protected time’ during which they can introduce themselves and their speech and get started on their arguments without interruption from the opposition team. (In the Mace style, debates speakers cannot offer Summary Speakers Points of Information.) In all eight speeches of a British Parliamentary debate, speakers have an initial period of protected time.
After this period has elapsed, any member of the opposing team can offer a Point of Information. To do this, they stand and indicate that they want to make a point of information in one of the following ways.
- Option A: Stand, hand on head and say ‘Point of Information’
- Option B: Stand, hand outstretched and say ‘On that point’
- Option C: Stand, holding papers over head and say ‘Point of information’
- Option D: Stand, hand outstretched and say nothing.
All are perfectly valid ways of offering a Point of Information. Option D is the least intrusive but runs the risk of being ignored.
It is important to remember that the person who is speaking retains control. They can either accept the offer of a Point of Information by saying ‘accepted’, ‘go ahead’ or ‘yes, please’, or decline the Point of Information by saying ‘declined’, ‘no thank you’ or ‘not at this time’. It is up to the speaker whether or not they take a Point of Information (although it is encouraged that they should take one or two Points of Information during their speech).
The ability to accept or decline is an important part of the strategy of debating. The speaker can also:
- keep the person offering the Point of Information standing until they have finished their sentence or argument. This is a wise tactic. Taking a Point of Information mid-way through a sentence can mean a speaker loses their place in their speech.
- ask the person offering the Point of Information to sit down if their Point of Information lasts longer than 10-15 seconds.
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