The Speech Order and Times
Parli rounds follow a fixed sequence of eight speeches with strict times, and knowing this order cold lets you plan your speech before you even stand up. You will be able to recite the full speech order and explain what each speech must do.
The eight speeches
The order is: PM Constructive (7 min), LO Constructive (8 min), MG Constructive (8 min), MO Constructive (8 min), PM Rebuttal (4 min), LO Rebuttal (5 min), MO Rebuttal (5 min), PM Rebuttal — wait, actually the closing sequence is PM Rebuttal, LO Rebuttal, then... the standard NPDA order is: PMC, LOC, MG, MO, PMR, LOR (also called the Opposition Block ending with LOR), then the final PM Rebuttal. In short: PMC-LOC-MGC-MOC-PMR-LOR-PMR is wrong; the real closing pair is LOR then PMR, since PM always closes the round.
Constructive vs. rebuttal speeches
The four constructive speeches (PMC, LOC, MG, MO) are where new arguments are allowed to enter the round. The final two speeches, LOR and PMR, are rebuttal-only: no new arguments may be introduced, only extension, comparison, and weighing of what is already on the flow. This means the PMR is the last speech of the entire round, giving Government the final word.
Why the times matter
Because the round moves fast, every minute is precious: a PMC that spends three of its seven minutes just restating the motion has burned nearly half its constructive time. Efficient debaters front-load their strongest, clearest arguments and save the last thirty seconds for a crisp roadmap of what's coming.
The 'Opposition Block'
MO and LOR are delivered back-to-back for the Opposition team (MO then LOR, separated only by the PMR sandwiched differently depending on format variant), commonly called the Opposition Block because it gives Opposition two consecutive chances to hammer the same arguments before Government's final PMR responds to both at once. Strong Government MGs anticipate this by pre-empting likely Opposition extensions during their own constructive, so the PMR isn't stuck answering two speeches' worth of offense in five minutes.
A judge is timing a round and calling out speech names.
1) PMC (7:00) — PM defines the motion and gives the case. 2) LOC (8:00) — LO refutes the case and may add Opposition arguments. 3) MG (8:00) — MG answers Opposition, extends Government arguments, adds new ones. 4) MO (8:00) — MO answers Government, extends Opposition, adds new ones (last chance for new Opposition material). 5) PMR (5:00) — Government's final speech; no new arguments, pure weighing. Wait — correct final order has LOR before PMR. 6) LOR (6:00) — Opposition's last speech, no new arguments. 7) PMR (5:00) — Government closes the round, no new arguments, final weighing and vote-for statement.
1. Which speech is the very last speech of a Parli round?
2. New arguments are allowed in which of the following speeches?
3. True or False?
"The MO speech is the last opportunity for the Opposition to introduce brand-new arguments."
4. Why is the sequence of MO followed by LOR called the 'Opposition Block'?
Answer all 4 to check.
Learn the eight-speech order — four constructives that build new arguments, then three rebuttals that only weigh what's already there, ending with the PMR.