Introduction to Debate: 6 Strategies for Giving POIs

If you've ever watched a crime drama, you've probably seen an interrogation scene. The detective sits opposite the suspect in a small, dingy room lit only by a flickering lightbulb. They grill the suspect with questions while investigators watch through one-way glass. If the questions are bad, the suspect can avoid answering and get away with the crime. But if they're good, the sentence—guilty—is nigh.

When raising points of information in a World Schools or BP debate, your goal is pretty similar. You want to ask questions that expose weaknesses in your opponent's case. The main difference between the interrogation room and the debate hall is that the debate venues usually have better lighting.

POIs can be difficult to master, but when done well, they can do a lot for your team. In this article, we'll cover six strategies for getting them right.

1: Plan in Advance

You always want to write down your POIs so you can deliver them precisely. Try not to wing these—you only get 15 seconds, so every word counts. You want to make sure you're phrasing your POIs as clearly and effectively as you can.

2: Communicate with Your Team

Whenever your team offers a POI, all your team members should know what it is to avoid miscommunication. Communicating can also help you decide which issues would be most strategic to focus on and how to phrase the questions.

3: Be Adaptable

Although you want to plan in advance, it's also important to be aware that the best POIs will adapt in response to the current debate. If it becomes necessary, adjust what you're saying based on the speeches happening and don't get stuck on the exact words you started writing down.

4: Prioritize

POIs shouldn't be an instinctive response to whatever the speaker happens to be arguing right at that moment. It also doesn't help to focus on minor details like a specific fact or a small logical gap.

To make the most of a POI, you want to work out which clash in the debate is the most important for you to address and ensure that the POI you give engages with that clash in a way that most effectively damages your opponent's case or strengthens your own. Sometimes this means your POI won't directly relate to your opponent's last sentence, and that's okay.

5: Think About the Impact

Why are you asking the question you're asking? What strategic impact does it have on the debate?

Your POIs should be connected to claims already made in the debate, allowing the judges to see how your point interacts with the points of the opposing team. In addition, your POIs should show their importance to the debate. Instead of merely pointing out that, say, a black market for drugs could exist, explain why this would be harmful and demonstrate that this question will have an impact on the debate.

6: Refer Back to POIs

So you've given a good POI, and your opponent has answered. Now what? Well, don't let it go to waste. If your team has offered a POI before your speech, refer back to it.

This will work best if your POI had a specific purpose and if the opponent's answer revealed a weakness, failed to explain something, or made a misstep. If you can meaningfully follow up a previously asked POI, that will demonstrate a lot of skill and strengthen your arguments.

Of course, if you've already given all your speeches, don't ask any POIs which would require further follow up!

POIs are just one part of a good debate. You might also be interested in learning about BP debate topics.

If you want to get in some practice, why not check out some of our debating programs?