FAQ

1. What is parliamentary debate?

Parliamentary debate is an audience-centered form of two-person debate. In each debate, two students will represent the government side (or the side supporting the resolution), while two students will represent the opposition side (or the side negating the resolution). Students are expected to present arguments supporting their side while refuting arguments of the other team. Parliamentary debate is based loosely on the British model of parliament, with a bit of American academic debate style (such as the specific “flowing” of arguments) thrown in.

There are a variety of forms of parliamentary debate — NPDA is but one of the forms. There’s “World’s Style” debate that typically involves four teams of two debaters. A few NPDA schools are involved with this format. Check out Colm’s Debating page for far more coverage of the World’s format, including tutorials.

2. Where can I find rules about parliamentary debate?

The website has the 2008 national rules.

3. What are the time limits for parliamentary debate?

Prep time = 15 minutes (Nationals and some other tournaments will use 15 minutes + the length of time to walk to the furthest building)
First Proposition Constructive: 7 minutes
First Opposition Constructive: 8 minutes
Second Proposition Constructive: 8 minutes
Second Opposition Constructive: 8 minutes
Opposition Rebuttal: 4 minutes
Proposition Rebuttal: 5 minutes
Please note that there is no prep time in between each of the speeches. The following speaker is recognized as soon as the previous speaker has finished.

4. Where can I find tournaments that have parliamentary debate?

For starters, check the Executive Secretary’s section of our site. In addition, you might want to consult the American Forensics Association calendar (not available online; contact Dr. James Pratt at University of Wisconsin-River Falls for more information). The Council of Forensics Organizations also sponsors a calendar.

5. How do I get a tournament sanctioned?

  • First, the tournament should be hosted or directed by a member school.
  • Second, sanctioning information should be given to the Executive Secretary. Please note that the Executive Secretary does need copies of the invitation.
    • (Note: State, regional and district tournaments will be sanctioned provided sanctioning information and tournament invitations have been submitted to the Executive Secretary.)
  • Finally, the tournament director or host submits results within two weeks after the tournament’s conclusion.

6. What is the difference between the NPDA and the American Parliamentary Debate Association?

This will depend on whom you ask; however, most believe that there are three major differences:

  • APDA debate features relatively loose links (connections) to the resolution; NPDA debate is often tight linked to the resolution.
  • APDA debate is student-run; while there are student-run programs in NPDA, many programs are faculty sponsored.
  • APDA debate is national, with a primary focus in the U.S. East Coast; NPDA debate is national, with a predominant focus in the West.

7. What are some reading resources for parliamentary debate?

There is a textbook written by Larry Galizio and Dr. Trischa Goodnow. You can find out information through the Addison Wesley Longman website.

Dr. Michael Eaves from Valdosta State University has also written a textbook, Fundamentals of Parliamentary Debate, published by Kendall-Hunt.

John Meany and Kate Shuster have also written a textbook, Art, Argument and Advocacy : Mastering Parliamentary Debate, published by IDEA press.

Dr. Mark Crossman has written a text, Burden of Proof: An Introduction to Argumentation and Guide to Parliamentary Debate, 3rd edition. It is published by Cengage Custom Publishing.

Eric Robertson from San Diego State has written Strategic Argumentation in Parliamentary Debate, which is published by Lulu.

In addition, Dr. Robert Trapp has written a chapter that appears in T.C. Winebrenner’s Intercollegiate Forensics and on the NPDA website.

Otherwise, the reader is encouraged to be well-read in current events, as well as history, philosophy, etc. Remember: the realm of knowledge is that of a “well-read college student.”

8. Where can I find a list of colleges that participate in parliamentary debate?

There are two resources. To find a list of NPDA members, consult the members link above. The Council of Forensics Organizations has started a master list of all schools that compete in any kind of intercollegiate forensics. That project is ongoing; the current list is available on the COFO site.

9. What is this website’s privacy policy?

The privacy policy for the NPDA website is available.

10. How do I subscribe to the parli-l listserv?

Go to the following website: https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/listinfo/parli

Archives for both the new and old parli listserve can be found at: https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/private/parli/

If you have any questions, contact Dr. Michael Dreher, the listowner.

11. How do I subscribe to npda-l?

NPDA-L is a list separate from the parli-l list. NPDA-L is designed for official communication from members of the NPDA executive council, and about official NPDA business. This list is moderated, and the listowner is Dr. Michael Dreher from Bethel University. To subscribe, point your web broswer to: https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/listinfo/npda-l

12. How do I subscribe to the Northeast debate listserv?

Go to the following address: http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=NORTHEASTDEBATE&H=LIST.UVM.EDU

Dr. Tuna Snider of the University of Vermont is the listowner.

13. Why should I become a member?

Basically, there are four advantages to becoming a member:

  • Member schools have the ability to vote on NPDA issues.
  • Member schools may have tournaments sanctioned.
  • Member schools are eligible to participate in the season-ending national tournament.
  • Member schools are eligible for year-end season sweepstakes.

14. How do I become a member?

You can submit the membership form online (see the Member Info link above). Then, submit a check to Dr. Brent Northup — the contact information is on the membership form page.

15. Where do I send tournament results?

Simply posting results to the parli-l is insufficient! Results must be forwarded directly to the Executive Secretary. His contact information will be found at the end of this FAQ, or can be found on the leadership page listed above.

16. How do I find out results of tournaments?

Consult the Executive Secretary’s section of this website. Note: we’re working on moving past results to that section – it may be a little while before that happens.

17. Why is tournament x not yet listed on the results? How long does it take to post?

Typically, this is because the tournament director has not yet submitted information. Often a tournament will not be listed because incomplete information has been received (i.e., elimination rounds aren’t listed, etc.). If there’s a question about a specific tournament, please wait a week or two — if it’s still not there, contact the Executive Secretary. The webmaster isn’t responsible for tournament results! The Executive Secretary will post lists of tournaments he has not received information on npda-l (to subscribe, see #11 above.)

Please note: The Constitution calls for two official postings per year of the results. The website results are meant to be used for proofing purposes, not as an actual “rank in progress.” Because not every tournament provides information in a timely fashion, the results on the website are not guaranteed to be accurate until the end of the season. Only the official results published by the Executive Secretary should be considered as official rankings.

18. How are sweepstakes points figured?

Teams will receive a preliminary round point total equal to the decimal percentage of preliminary rounds won, multiplied by five. Preliminary round point totals will be calculated to two decimal points. Teams will accrue two points for a win for the first two elimination rounds that meet NPDA sweepstakes specifications.

What hasn’t changed is the points from elimination rounds or that a school will earn points for the top 4 teams for the school regardless of division. Thus, a school cannot earn points from the top 4 varsity and the top 4 JV and the top 4 novice teams.

  • An elim win counts as 2 points per round advanced (including byes) provided there are a sufficient number of teams at the elimination round level. If, for example, the tournament goes to quarterfinals with 12 teams, then the quarterfinal round won’t count for NPDA sweepstakes purposes. Points are earned for the first two elimination rounds.

Examples:

  • A team that wins 3 of 7 prelim rounds will earn (3/7) x 5 = 2.15 sweepstakes points.
  • A team that wins 4 of 5 prelim rounds and their first elim round will earn (4/5) x 5 + 2 = 6 sweepstakes points.

19. How were sweepstakes points figured before 2007-2008?

Sweepstakes points were earned for the top 4 teams from each school regardless of division. Thus, a school cannot earn points from the top 4 varsity and the top 4 JV and the top 4 novice teams. Each team’s points are figured across the tournament:

  • A prelim win counts as 1 point per win (for a maximum of 4 rounds, using the last 4 rounds of the tournament). Note: it is not the number of ballots, but rather, the number of wins.
  • An elim win counts as 2 points per round advanced (including byes) provided there are a sufficient number of teams at the elimination round level. If, for example, the tournament goes to quarterfinals with 12 teams, then the quarterfinal round won’t count for NPDA sweepstakes purposes. Points are earned for the first two elimination rounds.
  • This provides a total number of points per debate team. Each debate team is guaranteed a minimum of 1 sweepstakes point (even if they go 0-3 or 0-6).

Thus, it was possible for a 6-0 team who loses in the first prelim round to have less points than a 4-2 team that wins 2 elimination rounds (4 points in the former example, 8 in the latter).

This is no longer the case starting with 2007-2008. See #18 for the correct sweepstakes formula.

20. How are ties broken?

The first tiebreaker is to use the placings of the teams at each of the four tournaments: 1st place earns 5 tiebreaker points, 2nd place earns 3 tiebreaker points, and 3rd place earns 1 tiebreaker point. Tiebreaker points are split between all winning teams in the case of Phi Rho Pi style tournaments.

21. What is the difference between Season Sweepstakes and National Tournament Sweepstakes?

The Season Sweepstakes is based on the results of the top 4 tournaments for each school. The National Tournament Sweepstakes is based only on the National Tournament, and is based on the results of the top 4 teams for each school at the national tournament. Both sets of sweepstakes are announced at the National Tournament.

22. Does the NPDA offer mailing labels?

Contact Brent Northup for labels. There is a nominal $20.00 charge for the labels.

23. How do I contact the Executive Secretary?

Joe Gantt
Texas Tech University
Joe.Gantt@ttu.edu

24. How do I get copies of final rounds from the national tournament?

Brent Northup is working with a video company to transfer past rounds to DVD.  More DVD’s will be available starting in Summer 2010.