About SMU Speech and Debate
Philosophy
The University’s motto, veritas liberabit vos, empowers the search for truth through competitive activity in speech and debate. Critical thinking thrives in educational environments where students can reason with one another through public argument. Civic service in public debates, judging, and hosting speech and debate competitions on campus enables the renewed civility needed for the 21st century. Come find your voice through the activities of the SMU Speech and Debate program!
IPDA Format
The International Public Debate Association (IPDA) is the primary format of debate education at SMU. This style of debate has been utilized by more than 200 colleges and universities over the past decade to teach healthy public speaking and critical thinking skills.
Structure
The dominant one-versus-one format of IPDA involves debaters being assigned a resolution, an affirmative or negative position on the resolution, and 30 minutes to prepare for the debate. The structure of each round is listed below:
- First Affirmative - 5 minutes
- Cross-examination of the affirmative- 2 minutes
- First Negative Speech- 6 minutes
- Cross-examination of the negative- 2 minutes
- Second Affirmative speech - 3 minutes
- Final Negative speech rebuttal- 5 minutes
- Final Affirmative speech rebuttal - 3 minutes