A point of information (POI) is a way to get your voice into the round during your opponent's speech. When you want to hint at your own constructive, or when the speaker has made a contradictory statement, you can stand up and offer a POI.

Sometimes debaters extend out their arm in a "POI gesture," but just make sure to be noticed. The speaker can choose to take your POI by calling on you, or refuse it by waving you down or even asking for you to wait while a point is finished. If you are chosen you then use the time to offer your thoughts into the round. A POI, however, should not be random or try to distract or take time out of the opponent's speech. It should be either a question or a statement relating specifically to the material presented. The speaker has control of the floor at all times and can choose to wave you down if you are taking up too much time, so it is best to get right to the point.

The general rule in debate is that every speech should take 2 POI's, which means every debater should stand on at least 2 POI's through the round. This is only a guideline, however, and debaters should use their best judgment in giving and receiving POI's. The following are some tips on giving POI's.

Points of Information Tips

  • POIs shouldn't be given for the sole purpose of destroying the other team's case. POIs should build your case up as well.
  • If you're in the opening half of the debate your priority in the second half should be to remain involved. Make sure your arguments aren't lost among the second half of the debate. POIs are the best way to accomplish this.
  • If you're in the second half of the debate then you should be extremely careful about the POIs that you give to first half teams. Sometimes your opening team may try and steal your extension if you give too much away in your POIs.
  • Try to remain involved in the debate by standing on POIs, but do not harass the speaker by continually standing on POIs and saying things like "On Liberty", "On the Geneva Convention", etc. At some tournaments, judges will penalize debaters for saying anything more descriptive than "on that point".
  • It is always better to get in one or two excellent POIs than four or five mediocre ones. One of the best ways to accomplish this is for you and your partner to put a sheet a paper between you with your best POI written down. Then, when the speaker takes either of you, you're certain to have an excellent POI.
  • Just because everyone else is standing up on a POI doesn't mean you have to. Sometimes when a speaker says something monumentally stupid everyone on opposite benches will stand up. Usually the speaker won't take a POI at that time, but if there's someone who stood up late, they just might let them ask a question. Often, the debater giving the POI will be caught off-guard by this. So don't stand up on a POI just because everyone else is. But if you do, make sure you have a question.
  • Let people finish their question before you wave them down, but if they start to make a speech, or refuse to sit down, start waving them down immediately. If they still won't sit down then the speaker will deal with them.
  • Finish your thought before you accept a question. It is very easy to forget where you were if you allow someone to interrupt you.
  • If you want to get your question taken it is often better to stand at the end of the speaker's point. They'll be more likely to take you.
  • If you are in a round with teams of very disparate skills, it may at first seem like a good idea to take POIs from the weakest team. And that can work. But the judges will be more impressed if you give a good answer to a difficult POI than if you smack down a weak POI. So you might want to choose to take POIs from the better team. This will show the judges that you're willing to engage the better team in the round.