Tournament Procedures and Rules

Prep and Topic Strikes

At the start of each round, competitors should join the channel titled “Parli Prep”. Each group of debaters will receive 5 topics and then head to their assigned rooms. The aff team will pick one topic that they don’t want to debate. After aff has picked their topic, neg picks one they don’t want to debate. The two teams will alternate striking topics until it is narrowed down to one topic. That topic becomes the debaters topic for that debate.

After the topic is picked, competitors have 20 minutes to prepare their case with their partner. Competitors can talk to partners using the “aff prep” and “neg prep” channels assigned to their rooms, call each other, talk in real life, send smoke signals, or use any other method of communication they wish. Competitors are allowed to use the internet and any previously written notes to prep. Competitors are not allowed to talk to anyone during prep other than their partner.

In Round Rules

Judges and competitors can choose whether or not to turn their cameras on. There is no official dress code.

The tournament has no rule against progressive arguments, but some judges may drop you for it. Reading jargon filled arguments at a fast pace against those who are unfamiliar with them is highly discouraged.

Parli Times