Tufts Debate Society is a completely student-run organization and the only competitive debate team at Tufts! We travel all over the country, mostly the east coast, competing against other top universities on the American Parliamentary Debate Association Circuit.
Parliamentary debate is an extemporaneous form of competitive debate which stresses rigorous argumentation, logical analysis, quick thinking, breadth of knowledge, and rhetorical ability over preparation of evidence. The format pits two two-person teams against each other in a contest of argument, wit and rhetoric which roughly simulates debate in a House of Parliament. Before each round, one team proposes an original case which sets the debate. Resolutions are chosen from a wide variety of political, philosophical, economic, cultural and humorous topics. It is the fastest-growing form of intercollegiate debate in the world.