Style of debate

EYP is a competitive event, but the style of debate is not intended to be aggressive; the aim is to encourage participants to express their opinion whilst remaining respectful of other views.

Team effort is paramount, with the judges looking for constructive arguments that develop during debate and which are based on sound knowledge, presented with style and humour.

Each team of 6 students is assigned the role of a committee of the European Parliament. The committee is allocated one topic to defend or oppose; in either case they are required to make a 3 minute opening speech and, after a period of debate when everyone has the chance to speak, will be asked to sum up. Topics are provided in advance of the competition, in the form of a prepared resolution which suggests particular actions to be taken by Parliament: see our sample resolution (PDF, 58Kb) from a previous session.

On the day of the competition, judges consider not only the students’ individual skills of persuasion, but also how the team members work together to defend their ideas. It is therefore important that everyone on the team takes the opportunity to speak.