National Educational Debate Association

The National Educational Debate Association (NEDA) is a collegiate debate association emphasizing typical Public Forum Debate. Colleges compete at eight tournaments each year: four in the fall semester and four in the spring semester, including the National Tournament. The fall topic is a value resolution, while the spring topic is a policy resolution.

Variations from NDT/CEDA debate include the ability to decide topicality at the end of the constructive speeches, closed cross examination, and a focus on delivery and argumentation. Also, half of all tournament judges are 'lay judges' - that is, they are not debate coaches. Membership in NEDA is by invitation only. The intended focus is on the clash over the issues central to the debate proposition. The debate is similar to Public Forum debate in that it is audience-friendly, but is more formal, and more evidence-based.

History

NEDA began in the fall of 1994 at the Central States convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. About thirty schools left the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) because they felt CEDA did not represent audience-centered debate. The resulting organization was founded by Gary Horn, professor at Ferris State University, and others. In 1999, the Western division of NEDA became the Great Plains Forensic Conference.

Divisions

Teams in NEDA compete in one of three categories:

Novice - Standard CX-style debate for competitors new to academic debate.
Open - Standard CX-style debate for experienced debaters who have competed at five or more tournaments.
Crossfire Debate - New for the 2005-2006 school year. Developed from Ted Turner style televised debates, this division is more informal than the other two, and emphasizes good presentation and succinct arguments.

Colleges in NEDA

Anderson University (AU)
Ball State University (BSU)
Bob Jones University (BJU)
Capital University (CAP)
Duquesne University (DUQ)
Hillsdale College (HILL)
Owensboro Community College (OCTC)
Patrick Henry College (PHC)
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)
Transylvania University (TRA)
University of Dayton (DAY)

Colleges formerly in NEDA

Resolutions

Spring 2006: Resolved: Non-violent crimes should not carry prison sentences.
Fall 2005: Resolved: Wal-Mart's business practices are detrimental to the United States.
Spring 2005: Resolved: The United States should substantially reform public secondary school education.
Fall 2004: Resolved: Separation of church and state is being inappropriately eroded.
Spring 2004: Resolved: The United States should significantly reduce its foreign military commitments.
Fall 2003: Resolved: United States corporations are insufficiently loyal to American workers.
Spring 2003: Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its citizens' access to affordable health care.
Fall 2002: Resolved: Civil liberties are being inappropriately eroded.
Spring 2002: Resolved: The United States should substantially expand its efforts to prevent terrorism.
Fall 2001: Resolved: A national missile defense system would be beneficial to the security of this nation.
Spring 2001: Resolved: The United States should significantly decrease its dependence on foreign oil.
Spring 2000: Resolved: The federal government should significantly increase the use of privately operated prisons.
Fall 1998: Resolved: Corporate emphasis on profit is excessive.
Spring 1998: Resolved: The United States should abolish the use of peer jurors.
Spring 1997: Resolved: The Central Intelligence Agency should be eliminated.

External links

National Educational Debate Association

Student debating societies