POIs

Points of Information (POIs) allow either member of the team not currently giving a speech to stand during the middle of the other team's speech, wait for recognition, and then say something. They are not allowed during rebuttal speeches or the first or last minute of any speech ("protected time"). Traditionally, POIs are used to ask questions of the speaker, although this is not a requirement.

Some strategic uses of POIs include:
 * clarifying part of the advocacy you are unclear on
 * attempting to force an admission which is damaging to the case
 * attempting to guarantee yourself a link (e.g. "So, just to be clear, the United States will be dictating the terms of the peace settlement to Sudan?" elicits a link into an imperialism K)
 * highlighting a portion of the debate which is damaging to your opponent as immediately as possible ("I'd just like to note that this is in direct contradiction to what the Prime Minister argued on his solvency contention, and if the Member continues to argue it we will make procedural arguments against shifting in the block")
 * breaking up the flow of the speech or speaker (this is frowned upon in some quarters)

Some strategic methods to answer a difficult POI:


 * If the speaker does not ask a question, say something to the effect of "Thank you" or, if you're a humorous sort, "I'm sure you'll be hearing more on that in the next speech so I'll get back to what I was saying"
 * Avoid making an admission which is potentially damaging to your case ("Don't you agree that ..." should almost never be answered "Yes" -- "In this instance I think that the member of the opposition is ignoring the fact that..." and then repeat one of your own contentions)
 * Reference a previously made argument to answer the POI, unless the POI is asking for clarification. Its a good idea to repeat the tag line, at least.  ("As we said in our plan text, all funding will be through normal means, which means that Congress will budget for it as it does for other non-exceptional expenses")
 * Defer answering the question until later ("I believe my next position will shed some light on that, so I'll finish my current position and if you're still unclear stand up again in a minute or so.")