Point of information

Points of information (often abbreviated POIs) are the primary mode of direct interaction between debaters in parliamentary debate, and is the equivalent to cross-examination in Team Policy debate.

Format
In a POI, one debater stands to ask a question of the person who's presently speaking. Regional differences govern whether the debater announces his question verbally by saying, "point of information", or simply stands until recognized. Any debater may ask a POI at any point except for the first and last minute of each speech. The first and last minutes are considered, "protected time", and the timer signals the beginning and end of unprotected time by rapping loudly on the table. While any speaker from the other team may ask a POI, it is generally considered unprofessional for a one team-member to ask a POI of his partner.

Purpose
POIs are generally used to either signal inconsistencies in the speaker's points, or prevent the questioner's stance from being misrepresented. As a fringe-benefit, POIs often interrupt a speaker's train of thought, decreasing his coherency of speaking. For this reason it's often recommended that one wait until a speaker moves on from the topic the POI is addressing.