Point of Clarification (or “POC”)

  • Date 2022-07-21

General Definition: A point of clarification is offered if the speaker has said something that the opponent missed or did not understand. See also “Points of Information“.

  • Public Forum: Not used in PF, where “Crossfire” and “Grand Crossfire” are used for asking questions instead.
  • World Schools Debate: see general definition.
  • British Parliamentary: In BP, a point of clarification (POC) is offered in order to clarify part of the model. See also “Points of Information“. BP rules make no formal distinction between a POC and a POI, and speakers are not obliged to accept a POC. Taking a POC counts as taking a POI. Individual tournaments may differ on this, so you should check with the OrgCom and always listen closely to their briefing.
  • Canadian National Debate Format: see general definition.