Just a suggestion on how the "spirit" of our house can be
conducted...
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What is Parliamentary Debate?
Parliamentary debate is an off-topic, extemporaneous form of competitive
debate which stresses rigorous argumentation, logical analysis, quick thinking,
breadth of knowledge, and rhetorical ability over preparation of evidence. It
is patterned after the style of platform debate first made famous at Oxford
University. The use of recorded evidence during the debate round is prohibited.
A different resolution is debated in every parliamentary debate round.
Resolutions are chosen from a wide variety of political, philosophical,
economic, cultural and humorous topics, and debaters often have a broad scope
in which to define the specific case for debate which is drawn from the
resolution. Hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, Canada,
Great Britain, and over thirty other nations participate in parliamentary
debate. It is the fastest-growing form of intercollegiate debate in the world.
The Value of Parliamentary Debate Parliamentary debate on APDA focuses on
skills which are not greatly emphasized by other forms of intercollegiate
debate. Rather than concentrating on extensive preparation of evidence, APDA
encourages a breadth, as well as a depth, of knowledge -- as students can be
forced to debate almost any topic at short notice, they must have a working
knowledge of all manner of political, economic, social and philosophical
issues. A high premium is placed on quick thinking and logical, rigorous
analysis. APDA debate is audience-centered; speaking skills learned on APDA can
be directly appreciated by the general public, not only specially-trained
judges. By focusing on argumentation and rhetoric rather than rapid recitation
of evidence and technical rule-based strategies, parliamentary debate is an
activity which is easily learned, extremely adaptable, and widely accessible,
yet still rigorous, intellectually demanding, and rewarding.
The legacy of parliamentary debate can clearly be seen in the resumes of APDA
alumni. In the past few years, APDA graduating classes have included several
Rhodes, Marshall and Truman scholars, with numerous other alums attending
top-rate graduate institutions like Harvard, Yale and Stanford Law Schools,
Yale Medical School, and Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School.
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