Debate Styles

The YDA Competes in two Styles of Debate. In the United States, we are a member of the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA), which competes in the American Parliamentary Style. Internationally, we compete in the British Parliamentary (BP) debate style. Read about the differences between the two styles below!

American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA)

APDA—the American Parliamentary Debate Association—is the organization behind a style of competitive parliamentary debate. “APDA” is also interchangeably used to refer to the debate style. The format consists of two teams, each comprising two speakers, who debate a motion or topic for a set amount of time. Here is a summary of the format for APDA debates:

  1. Motion: At the beginning of the round, a motion is presented by the government team (a case). The motion is a statement or question that is debatable and pre-prepared by the government team.

  2. Preparation time: Typically, negative (opposition teams), have some time to ask clarifying questions about the case, which the government team can choose to answer.

  3. Constructive speeches: Each team begins with a constructive speech, during which the first speaker presents their team's arguments in support of or against the motion. The second speaker then follows with their team's arguments.

  4. Second Speeches: Each speaker then delivers a rebuttal speech, during which they address the arguments made by the opposing team in the constructive speeches while rebuilding their case

  5. Rebuttal (closing) speeches: The final speakers on each team deliver summary speeches, during which they summarize their team's arguments and rebuttals and make their final case by weighing the arguments presented in the round.

British Parliamentary Debate (BP)

British Parliamentary (BP) is a popular debate format used in many countries worldwide. The format consists of four teams, each comprising two speakers, who debate a motion or topic for a set amount of time. Here is a summary of the format for BP debates:

  1. Motion: At the beginning of the round, a motion is presented to the teams.

  2. Preparation time: Each team is given a short time (usually 15-20 minutes) to prepare their arguments for the debate.

  3. Constructive speeches: Each team begins with a constructive speech, during which the first speaker presents their team's arguments in support of or against the motion. The second speaker then follows with their team's arguments.

  4. Points of Information (POIs): After the first minute and before the last minute of each constructive speech, the opposing teams may offer points of information to challenge or question the speaker. The speaker may accept or reject the POI, but accepting a POI is seen as a sign of confidence and skill.

  5. After the debate's first half, the closing affirmative and negative teams presented extensions and analyses that uniquely contributed to the round.