NPDA (team Parliamentary Debate)
About NPDA
The National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) is the largest national intercollegiate debate organization in the United States, with between 200-250 schools attending at least one tournament during the course of the year. NPDA is a 2v2 debate event. The event prioritizes speaking skills, the ability to think on one’s feet, and the importance of working with a partner to form cohesive and logical arguments. Usually offered are four Divisions in Parliamentary Team debate: Rookie, Novice, Junior, and Senior (or Open). Students are given 20 minutes to prepare an assigned topic and stance with a pre-determined partner before they enter the debate round against an opposing team.
Coaches
Sample Topics
- The United States federal government should grant asylum to undocumented persons living in the United States.
- The United States federal government should eliminate the wage exemptions for agricultural workers in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries should significantly reduce its oil production quotas.