American Parliamentary Debate is a public debate competition between two 2 person teams on a resolution. One side is the Government team which proposes the resolution.

The other side is the opposition, which argues that the resolution should not be adopted.

Speaking Times

Prime Minister Constructive (PMC)- 7 minutes

Leader of the Opposition Constructive (LOC)- 8 minutes

Member of Gov’t Constructive (MG)- 8 minutes

Member of the Opposition Constructive (MO)- 8 minutes

Leader of the Opposition Rebuttal (LOR)-  4 minutes

Prime Minister Rebuttal (PMR)- 5 minutes

 “Common knowledge” topics, can and should include anything that an average college student would be expected to know about by reading the front page of a major periodical.

Topics include philosophy, international relations, pop culture.

The US should normalize relations with Iran

You are Neo, do you go back to the Matrix, or stay in the “real” world?

The Speeches

Constructives

Lay out the major arguments of each side

Address the arguments of the opposition.

Rebuttals

Last 2 speeches.

Why each side thinks they win the round

What wins a round?

Persuasiveness of Argument

Good Delivery

Structure of the Speech

Good Eye Contact

Body Position

Lack of “Fillers” “Um, Uh”

Clash with opponents’ arguments