How to use Points of Information (POI) to your Advantage ？

POI（Points of Information） 作為(wei) Junior WSD比賽中的特別環節，給選手們(men) 提供了正麵交鋒的機會(hui) 。同時也可能是 一針見血、扭轉局勢的關(guan) 鍵機會(hui) ，該在什麽(me) 時機打斷對手發言？應該圍繞哪些內(nei) 容進行發言？都是贏得比賽的關(guan) 鍵。

今天我們(men) 就繼續有請，資深教練Robert Raos為(wei) 大家帶來規則解讀幹貨： How to use Points of Information (POI) to your Advantage 。

Robert Raos

超6年WSD/BP辯論及教學經驗

Radboud大學辯論隊主席

曾獲多項國際辯論賽事冠軍(jun) ，包括歐洲Queer公開賽2020，芝加哥公開賽2022等。

Points of Information（簡稱POI）是Junior WSD比賽中的重要組成部分，為(wei) 選手們(men) 提供了在比賽中直接與(yu) 對方發言人交鋒的機會(hui) 。本文將為(wei) 大家解釋什麽(me) 是POI以及如何利用POI贏得比賽。

Points of Information, or POIs for short, are a crucial part of Junior WSD. They give students an opportunity to directly engage with opposing speakers during the debate. This article will explain what POIs are and how to use them to win rounds.

#1 、What is POI ?什麽(me) 是POI？

想要利用好POI這個(ge) 特殊的機製，首先要弄清楚相關(guan) 規則：POI環節的發言時間有多長？可以提出POI的時間範圍是什麽(me) ？合理的提出方式又有哪些？

POIs are questions or interjections a speaker can make during the constructive speech of an enemy speaker.

The first and last thirty seconds of each constructive speech fall under “protected time” which means that points of information cannot be asked during this period.

To ask a POI in online tournaments, you may type “POI” in the chat or unmute yourself and say “POI”. Speakers may indicate a preference as to how they want to receive POIs before their speech.

For example, if you find verbal POIs distracting, you can state that you only want written POIs.

Similarly, when it comes to in-person tournaments, you may indicate a preference regarding how you want your POIs taken.
Some ways to ask a POI in person include: raising your hand, standing up and raising your hand, or exclaiming “POI”.

After you request a POI, the speaker may reject or accept your POI. Unless your POI is accepted, you cannot ask your question. It is critical to remember that you aren’t allowed to request POIs too often. This is called badgering.
Typically, if your POI request is rejected, you should wait at least around 20 seconds before asking for a POI again.

What’s more, if you already have had one POI accepted, you should not expect another POI to be accepted. Sometimes, speakers accept 2 or more POIs per speech, but this is not expected of them.
If your POI is accepted, you have 15 seconds to speak. This time is counted as part of your opponent’s speech.

#2 、How to use POI ?如何利用POI贏得比賽？

使用POI的最常見方式是就對方的case進行提問，指出其邏輯分析中的矛盾或漏洞。除此之外，還可以就對方論據提出反駁意見，或權衡雙方論據的重要性。這些對贏得辯論都是至關(guan) 重要的。

Now that you know the rules of how to ask POI, how should you do it strategically?

The most common way to use a POI is to ask a question regarding the enemy case that can point out a contradiction or a gap in their logical analysis.

If the speaker cannot resolve the contradiction or fill in the logical gap, their case seems less credible to the judge, increasing your chances of winning.

However, there are other ways to use POIs aside from just asking questions.

You may ask a POI to offer a piece of rebuttal to destroy the enemy’s case or you may use your POI to weigh the comparative importance of your arguments by impacting why the material you have proven in your constructive speeches is crucial for winning the debate.

In any case, POIs are a fun way to make world schools debating more active and dynamic.

Speakers are expected to accept at least 1 POI per speech (unless no POIs are asked) otherwise judges may flip close decisions (about who wins the debate) or deduct speaker points from the speaker who failed to take a POI.