QUEENS COLLEGE SPEECH & DEBATE SOCIETY
DEBATE EVENTS
Team members in the QC Speech and Debate Society will have opportunities to participate in two formats of debate, which are International Public Debate (IPDA) and Parliamentary Debate (NPDA)
The focus of IPDA is to promote a debate format that emphasizes public speaking and real world persuasion over the use of evidence and speed.
International Public Debate Association (IPDA Debate)
IPDA Debate Format
IPDA primarily uses an individual debate format in which one debater takes the side of the affirmative where they have the burden to advocate the resolution. The other debater takes the side of the negative where they have the burden of refuting the affirmative's case. For each round, the two debaters are given five possible resolutions. The negative begins the topic selection by striking one resolution, followed by the affirmative striking another resolution, and so on until there is one resolution left. After the topic has been selected, the debaters have 30 minutes to prepare a case.
Time Format
Each round is a maximum of 26 minutes:
1. Affirmative speech - 5 minutes
2. Negative cross examination - 2 minutes
3. Negative speech - 6 minutes
4. Affirmative cross examination - 2 minutes
5. Affirmative rebuttal - 3 minutes
6. Negative rebuttal - 5 minutes
7. Affirmative rebuttal and summary - 3 minutes
National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA Debate)
The focus of NPDA is to promote a debate format where two teams of two people debate over current affairs or philosophy in a parliamentary format.
NPDA Debate Format
NPDA, or Parliamentary Debate, uses a team debate format in which the Government takes the side of the Affirmative where they have the burden to advocate the resolution. The other team represents the Opposition, where they take the side of the Negative and have the burden of refuting the Prime Minister and Member of Government's case. For each round, the two teams are given three possible resolutions. The negative begins the topic selection by striking one resolution, followed by the affirmative striking another resolution, and so on until there is one resolution left. After the topic has been selected, the two teams have 15 minutes to prepare a case.
Time Format
Each round is a maximum of 61 minutes:
1. Debate preparation - 15 minutes
2. Prime Minister's speech - 7 minutes
3. Opposition flex time - 2 minutes
4. Leader of the Opposition's speech - 8 minutes
5. Government flex time - 2 minutes
6. Member of Government's speech - 8 minutes
7. Opposition flex time - 1 minute
8. Member of Opposition's speech - 8 minutes
9. Leader of Opposition's Rebuttal - 4 minutes
10. Government flex time - 1 minute
11. Prime Minister's Rebuttal & Summary - 5 minutes
