Discussion of Parli Debate Topics

1. Topics (overview)

2. Overview Topics are usually announced 20 minutes before the debate begins. This can be altered due to things like the size of a campus. Topics are can be clear and straight forward, or vague and obscure It is the job of the government team to provide an interpretation of the topic

3. Topics can be as vague as something like “This House should fix the locks.” Notice how this really doesn’t say what locks, or even if this should be actual locks This can be interpreted as a metaphor if there is no significant reason to discuss actual locks.

4. Topics are usually interpreted as a: Claim of Fact Claim of Value Claim of Policy

5. Topic areas vary drastically depending on the tournament. Most tournaments will have one metaphor, and the rest of the topics have something to do with current events Some tournaments have insignificant topics such as “dogs are better than cats.”

6. We would urge debate coaches writing these topics to maintain a current event and philosophical focus in order to maintain the integrity and respect of the event