Debate and Individual Events at McKendree University

The McKendree debate and individual events team is a nationally ranked team that competes in intercollegiate tournaments across the nation.  Our competitive focus is on parliamentary debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and individual events.  

Parliamentary debate, which is modeled on debate in the British House of Commons, emphasizes breadth of knowledge, public speaking, argumentation theory, teamwork and humor.  Parliamentary debate is different from the types of debate offered at the high school level, though many high school debaters have come to McKendree and been very successful.  However, many students have been successful in parliamentary debate with no high school debate background.

The team also competes in Lincoln-Douglas debate.  Lincoln-Douglas debate emphasizes research, depth of knowledge, public speaking, and organization.  While it is structurally similar to Lincoln-Douglas debate in high school, it utilizes a policy resolution.  Lincoln-Douglas debate at McKendree is growing rapidly and, like parlimentary debate, involves students who have high school experience and those who are new to debate.

Finally, we participate in individual events, which includes interpretation, limited preparation, and public speaking events, similar to the schedule of events on the high school level.  Interpretation events include prose, poetry, drama, duo, and programmed oral interpretation.  Limited preparation events include extemporaneous and impromptu speaking.  Public speaking events include persuasion, informative, communication analysis, and after dinner speaking.  For more information about parliamentary debate or individual events, check out our links page.

Between practices, team meetings, and tournaments (which typically start on Friday and end on Sunday), the debate and individual events team does require a significant investment of time from its members.  However, the rewards of participation more than make up for the time invested.  In addition to traveling around the country, team members gain invaluable skills, including critical reasoning, organization, and public speaking that are valued in virtually any profession.  Like members of athletic teams, you also have the honor of representing McKendree.  But, perhaps most importantly, team members have a great deal of fun.

If you are interested in joining the debate and individual events team, either as a current or prospective McKendree student, feel free to email Joe Blasdel, debate and individual events coach.