last updated:
26th Oct 07

This week’s motion!

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Speakers’ Corner Cologne says:

THE MOTION

At the beginning of a debate all participants are provided with the motion, i.e. with the topic that is going to be debated. Topics range from heavywight political and ethical arguments, to often more lighthearted motions. The motion consists of a single sentence that is more or less open to definition. Motions can range from narrow definitions like, "This house wants Russia's exclusion from all G8 summits" to more open ones like "This house would mind the gap". Note that "This house..." is the standard introduction to every debate conducted in British Parliamentary Style. Definitions of a motion can vary according to their degree of openess - however there are some basic questions which all speakers should ask themselves before preparing their speeches:
ð What does the motion want me to argue? - Please read the motion closely!
ð Is the motion already clearly defined or can I choose the direction myself?
ð Is my interpretation of the motion relevant?

HERE IS A SHORTLIST OF POSSIBLE MOTIONS:

• This house says politeness sucks.
• THB that the road to God isn’t necessary straight.
• This house believes the UN security council needs to be reformed.
• This house says Africa should have a permanent seat in the UN security council.
• This house would demolish the arms embargo on China.
• This house would pull the plug!
• This house would impose a common tax on kerosin.
• This house believes tha war on terror has failed.
• This house would legalize prostitution.
• This house would listen to the radio!
• This house would make trade fair!
• This house would tighten Santa's belt.
• This house would never talk to terrorists.
• This house believes that Britain is not a democracy.
• This house would ban medical ads from TV.
• This house says the Pope should marry.
• This house would reduce the vote to 16.
• This house thinks that education is a privilege, not a right.
• This house would buy-a-baby.com
• This house believes that debators make better spouses.
• This house would march against tuition fees. T
• his house favours zero tolerance.
• This house believes that sex is not an art.
• This house thinks that following orders is no excuse.
• This house would take a virginity pledge.
• This house believes that there are no inalianable rights.
• This house thinks that Uncle Sam is a poor relation.
• This house would says ignorance is a bliss.
• This house says that the pen is mightier than the sword.
• This house would boldly go where no house went before.
• This house wants biometric information on identity cards.
• This house believes in the European Constitution.
• This house condemns secret DNA testing.
• This house would be on its guard.
• This house believes the Kyoto Convention is important.
• This house says that the problem with political jokes is that they get (re)elected!

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