Otaku Parliamentary Debate

Are you passionate about anime? Do you like to express your views on such hot topics as subs vs. dubs? Then do we have the show for you! The Otaku Parliamentary Debate is the place to show off why your views and opinions are the right ones! Three-man teams compete for prizes and most of all, honor. Do you have what it takes to prove your point?

Welcome to another year of OPD! Last year’s was awesome, we hope to make this year even better.

Here’s the details and rules if you are not familiar on how it is done.

What is Otaku Parliamentary Debate?

Otaku Parliamentary Debate, OPD for short, is a debate contest at AX that will run from Day One (July 3, 2008) to Day Three (July 5, 2008) of the con. Day One is the first round of debates with four debates in total. Day two will consist of the semifinals of those who won on the previous day. Day three will consist of the Finals where two teams will face off to find out whose debate skills rein supreme. It runs similar to 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?

Round 1 – Thursday, July 2, 2009 from 2:30pm to 4:20pm in LP 3
Round 2 – Friday, July 3, 2009 from 3:00pm to 4:50pm in LP 3
SemiFinals – Saturday, July 4, 2009 from 12:15pm to 2:05pm in LP 2
Finals – Saturday, July 4, 2009 from 2:30 to 3:50pm in LP 2

Who may compete in OPD?

Anyone with a full four-day pass and know the premises 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. Those who do not know how the rules and procedures of Parliamentary Debate will be disqualified to compete at 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. With the exception of Day One of the tournament, the format of 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

Detail

• Finalists from last year will have a REMATCH 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

Sign up by posting here in this thread in the the AX Forums with the following. Final list will be done at con.

1. Members of your team.
2. Team Name

What are the topics at OPD?

1. Dragonballz Evolution sucks
2. Keanu Reaves should play as Spike Spiegel
3. Anime should not turn into Hollywood movies
4. Pirates vs. Ninjas
5. All anime should have maids
6. Anime should not be free
7. There should be violence in anime
8. Catgirls vs. Schoolgirls
9. Anime should be made into videogames
10. Videogames should not be made into anime
11. LACC is better than ACC
12. AX is better than Comic-Con
13. AX is better than Otakon
14. Anime is equal to Reality
15. American Anime is better than Japanese Anime
16. Sailor Girls vs. School Girls
17. Anything Seth McFarlane does is better than Japan
18. Seth Green vs. Seth McFarlane
19. Nintendo markets anime the best
20. PS3 vs 360 vs Wii
21. Princess Peach vs. Samus Aran
22. Pocky is the most addicting ever
23. Ragnarok Online vs. WoW
24. MMOs ruins lives
25. Anime Industry is dying
26. Anime is a great ambassador for Japan
27. Old School Anime is better than New School Anime
28. Robot Chicken ruins anime
29. There should be more black people in anime
30. Star Trek vs. Star Wars
31. Anime needs more talking animals
32. Anime is for perverts
33. Anime is racist
34. Hentai ruins anime
35. AX at Long Beach was the BEST!
36. Anime girls are hotter than real life girls
37. Japanese characters are better than American characters
38. All Anime Heroes have super powers
39. Bad cosplay makes anime better
40. Japanese Manga v. American Comics