Purdue to host national debate tournament

The 2014 U.S. Universities Debating Championship, using the "world style" format, will be hosted Friday through Sunday (April 11-13) at the West Lafayette campus by the C. Richard Petticrew Debate Forum, an organization within the Brian Lamb School of Communication.

The three-day event will bring in 412 college debaters and 130 accompanying judges from 55 colleges and universities from 25 states and Canada.

"It is a distinct honor that Purdue was chosen to host this prominent debate tournament. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase the developing communication talent and expertise of our students and students from around the U.S. and Canada," says Marifran Mattson, head of the school. "Our hosting and participation in this tournament illustrates the Lamb School's commitment to the ideals of openness and innovation in communication."

British Parliamentary -- or world-style -- debate consists of eight speeches delivered by four two-member teams, representing the proposition and opposition sides. Each team must convince the audience that its argument is superior based on strength of supporting evidence, logic and organization presented with a persuasive speaking style. The topics of the debate change for each round, and the competitors have 15 minutes to prepare their arguments. For more information about this style of debate, visit www.wudc.info.

"World style debate is the dominant format internationally and has exploded in popularity on the East and West coasts. We are just now seeing it catch on in the Midwest," says John Schultz, coach of the Purdue speech and debate team. "This is one of the reasons Purdue was selected as the host the first tournament of this type in the Midwest."

Any interested parties are welcome to witness this event beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and continuing all day Saturday and Sunday. Debate central will be in the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, Room 224.