Debate Events
The various forms of debate work on different skills. Debate is one of the few activities which enhances critical thinking, presentation, reading, team-building, interpersonal relations, academic performance, and test scores. As Melvin B. Tolson wrote in 1935, “A brain without a voice is as bad as a voice without a brain.”
NPDA Debate
The National Parliamentary Debate Association encourages extemporaneous two-on-two debate. The styles of debate vary across the country—from traditional public-centered debate to more policy-oriented debate—but the NPDA, no matter where it is practiced, shares a common belief: students need to be prepared to debate about a variety of different kinds of topics. Parliamentary debate fosters more engaged, more knowledgeable citizens.
NPDA Debate uses NPDA national tournament guidelines with topics announced in a general session. NPDA will use a 7-8-8-8-4-5 format with 20 minutes of pre-round preparation after the topic has been announced. No materials should be brought into the debating chambers that were written prior to the preparation for that given round. The National HBCU Speech and Debate Association does not utilize flex time that is required by the NPDA organization.
IPDA Debate
International Public Debate Association Debate: The International Public Debate Association’s central focus is to promote a debate format that emphasizes public speaking and real-world persuasion skills over the predominant use of evidence and speed.
The IPDA division will use a 5-2-6-2-3-5-3 format with 30 minutes of pre-round preparation. IPDA rules can be found at the link below.
