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The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) is an organization dedicated to promoting the art of speech and debate in educational settings across the United States. It provides resources, competitions, and a structured framework for students to engage in various forms of speech and debate, encouraging both skill development and ethical standards among participants. The NSDA serves as a bridge between students and educators, fostering online debate communities and emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in competitive environments.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

• The NSDA was founded in 1925 and has grown to become one of the largest organizations for speech and debate in the United States.
• The NSDA hosts numerous national tournaments each year, providing students with opportunities to compete against peers from different schools and regions.
• Membership in the NSDA offers students access to a wealth of resources, including educational materials, guidelines for ethical conduct, and coaching support.
• The association emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity in speech and debate, encouraging participation from a wide range of backgrounds.
• The NSDA maintains a code of ethics that outlines expectations for conduct in competitions, stressing the importance of fairness, respect, and integrity among participants.

Review Questions

• The National Speech and Debate Association facilitates online debate communities by providing digital platforms where students can engage in discussions, share resources, and participate in virtual competitions. Through these platforms, members can connect with peers across the country, allowing for collaboration and exchange of ideas. This not only helps to enhance their debating skills but also fosters a sense of community among young debaters who may not have access to local resources.
• The NSDA promotes ethical conduct by implementing a comprehensive code of ethics that sets clear expectations for behavior during competitions. This includes guidelines on respect towards opponents, judges, and fellow competitors. By emphasizing the importance of integrity and fairness, the NSDA encourages participants to prioritize sportsmanship over mere competitive success. Additionally, educational resources provided by the association help instill these values in debaters at all levels.
• The growth of the National Speech and Debate Association significantly impacts student skills development by providing more opportunities for practice in critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation. As students engage in various debate formats that tackle current events and societal issues, they enhance their ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. This engagement not only equips them with valuable life skills but also contributes to broader societal discussions by encouraging young people to become informed citizens who can thoughtfully contribute to debates on critical issues affecting their communities.

Related terms

Forensics : The study and practice of public speaking, debate, and argumentation, often within competitive contexts.

Speech Events : Various competitive formats within the NSDA that focus on different aspects of public speaking, such as persuasive speaking, interpretation, and extemporaneous speaking.

Debate Formats : Different styles of competitive debate organized by the NSDA, including Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, and Public Forum, each with its own rules and focus.

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The Art of Persuasion: National Speech and Debate in High School

The arena of National Speech and Debate is a dynamic and intellectually stimulating world where high school students can dramatically enhance their communication skills, develop critical thinking, and engage in vigorous intellectual competition. This extensive guide aims to introduce the uninitiated to the enriching experience of National Speech and Debate, outlining its profound benefits and providing a detailed roadmap for students eager to embark on this academic adventure.

Introduction to National Speech and Debate

At its core, National Speech and Debate is a competitive activity that challenges students to engage in argumentative and persuasive communication. Governed by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), this activity encompasses various events, from policy debates and public forum debates to dramatic interpretation and extemporaneous speaking. It's a field where eloquence, logic, and passion converge, enabling students to advocate for ideas and explore significant societal issues.

The Multifaceted Benefits for High Schoolers

The participation in National Speech and Debate extends far beyond the podium. Students not only gain a platform to voice their perspectives but also acquire a multitude of skills that are beneficial for their personal and academic growth. Here's a closer look at these advantages:

Sharpening Intellectual Abilities

Analytical Thinking: Debate rounds require participants to dissect complex topics, evaluate evidence, and construct coherent arguments, which are skills crucial for higher education and professional success.

Effective Communication: Students learn to articulate thoughts clearly and persuasively, adapting their messaging for different audiences and purposes.

Academic and Career Advancements

Research Proficiency: Preparing for debates entails in-depth research, fostering an aptitude for academic inquiry that's beneficial across all subjects.

Enhanced Writing Skills: The process of crafting debate cases and speeches translates into stronger writing abilities, as students learn to structure arguments and convey points succinctly.

Personal Development

Confidence Boost: Regular engagement in speech and debate helps students become more confident in their abilities to express themselves and stand up for their beliefs.

Leadership Experience: Many debaters take on leadership roles, organizing events, and leading team discussions, preparing them for future leadership positions in various fields.

Networking and Collegiate Edge

Community Building: Speech and debate tournaments provide a venue for students to connect with like-minded peers, educators, and professionals, forming a network that can support college admissions and career opportunities.

Distinguishing College Applications: Demonstrating success in National Speech and Debate signals to college admissions officers a student's commitment to excellence and ability to engage in advanced intellectual discourse.

Starting Your Journey in National Speech and Debate

Entering the world of speech and debate might seem overwhelming at first, but by following a structured approach, you can navigate this journey with ease and confidence:

Research and Join: The first step is to find out if your school has a speech and debate team or club and understand their membership process. If not, look for community clubs or consider starting your own with the support of NSDA resources.

Select Your Niche: Speech and debate offer a variety of formats. Would you thrive in the fast-paced environment of Policy Debate, or do you have a flair for the dramatic that would be better suited to Interpretative Events? Choose the events that best align with your strengths and interests.

Develop Your Skills: Attend local tournaments, watch national competition videos, participate in workshops, and practice regularly to refine your craft.

Immerse in Advanced Training: Summer camps and clinics can provide focused training to help you excel in your chosen events, often offering the chance to learn from former national champions and experienced coaches.

Compete and Learn: Start by competing in local and regional tournaments to build your experience. Each round is a learning opportunity, so take feedback seriously and use it to improve.

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Preparing for national competitions.

As you set your sights on national tournaments, your preparation must be thorough and strategic:

Know the Rules: A deep understanding of the guidelines and criteria for each event is crucial. The NSDA provides extensive resources to ensure you're well-versed in the rules of competition.

Study the Champions: Analyze performances of past national winners. What rhetorical strategies did they use? How did they structure their arguments? Learn from the best to develop your style.

Practice Relentlessly: Dedication to practice cannot be overstated. Whether it's through mock tournaments, practice debates, or speech rehearsals, consistent practice is key to success.

Feedback is Gold: Seek constructive criticism from coaches, judges, and peers. Feedback will help you identify areas of improvement and fine-tune your approach.

Beyond the Competition: The Lifelong Impact of Speech and Debate

The benefits of participating in National Speech and Debate extend well beyond high school, shaping participants into well-rounded, articulate adults. Alumni often reflect on how their experience has paved the way for successful careers in law, politics, education, and business.

Leadership and Collaboration

Team Dynamics: Working with a speech and debate team teaches valuable lessons in teamwork and collaboration. Students learn to support each other, share strategies, and collectively analyze their performances.

Conflict Resolution: As students engage in debates, they also learn the finer points of resolving conflicts through dialogue and reasoned argument, a skill that is invaluable in both personal and professional life.

Time Management and Organization

Balancing Commitments: Juggling school work, speech and debate practice, and other extracurriculars teaches students how to manage their time effectively.

Organizational Skills: Preparing for multiple events requires a high level of organization, from managing research materials to planning travel for tournaments.

The Power of Persuasion in Real Life

Advocacy: The persuasive skills honed in speech and debate empower students to advocate for causes they believe in, from local community issues to global initiatives.

Career Negotiations: Whether it's advocating for a raise or pitching an idea, the persuasive techniques learned through speech and debate can give students an edge in their future careers.

Integrating Technology in Speech and Debate Preparation

With the advent of technology, preparing for speech and debate has transformed significantly. Here's how students can leverage technology to their advantage:

Online Research Databases: Utilize online libraries and databases for the latest research and scholarly articles that can provide evidence and depth to arguments.

Recording and Playback: Use video recording to review performances and identify areas for improvement in delivery and body language.

Virtual Collaboration: Employ collaboration tools for team strategy sessions, especially when in-person meetings aren't possible.

Engaging with the Speech and Debate Community

The National Speech and Debate community is vibrant and supportive, with a multitude of ways to engage and grow:

Forums and Discussion Boards: Online forums are a great place to discuss strategies, share resources, and seek advice from experienced debaters.

Mentorship: Seek mentorship from seasoned competitors who can provide guidance and support throughout your speech and debate journey.

Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni who can offer insights into how they've applied their speech and debate skills in higher education and their careers.

Conclusion: Your Voice, Your Power

As you progress through your high school career and possibly into college, the experiences and skills gained from National Speech and Debate will serve as a cornerstone of your personal and professional identity. This activity is not just about winning trophies; it's about discovering your voice and realizing the power it holds. It's about becoming a citizen of the world who is not afraid to speak up and stand firm on issues of importance.

So, take the first step, speak out, and let the world hear what you have to say. The journey is challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable. Remember, every great speaker started with a single word. Let yours be the voice that shapes the future.

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Asian Debate League

A member of taiwan and u.s. national speech & debate associations, 8. speaker points explained.

SPEAKER POINTS CLARIFIED II

I know that some parents think that speaker points represent a “grade” in debate skills, but it doesn’t. Speaker points on the Ballot have nothing to do with either you win or lose, as they are two separate categories. Speaker points are only used as a tiebreaker. 

In reality, winning a round shows your true debate skills such as persuasion through logic and evidence – “strategy.” On the other hand, speaker points simply reveal that you were loud, clear, and polite – “delivery.” 

Ultimately, we would like our child to do both well – delivery (mouth) and strategy (brain); so, if your child is already good in delivery, then one less worry for you.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH SPEAKER POINTS:

• Each judge is different; some are stingy and some are generous with points. For example, stingy judges might give students points ranging from 18 – 25, while generous judges give points ranging from 25-30. Therefore, unlucky students who get stingy judges will have nearly impossible chance of winning speaker awards. For example, in 2017 December China NSDA Kevin was #1, Kelly #4, but after only two months, in 2018 February China TOC, they didn’t even make it to the top 25 speakers. Instead, Yvette and Ethan made it to top 25 list.  The fact that both debaters from the same team were awarded in year 2017 (both Kelly & Kevin) and 2018 (both Yvette & Ethan) shows that most likely Kelly/Kevin had luck with generous judges in 2017, but the luck was not with them two months later, and vice versa for Yvette/Ethan. 
• Because speaker points don’t represent your debate skills, but your vocal delivery, a student with a loud, clear, high-pitched voice will often receive higher speaker points. However, because parents believe what they see and hear rather than what is behind the scene such as “winning strategy” that actually renders a “winning vote,” too frequently misconceive the louder speaker as a better debater. This is not only true with the parents, but even with many “lay” judges common in PF and WSD debates. Non-expert judges hired in PF and WSD too frequently focus more in speech style than the argumentation, and thus vote for the louder team because they don’t understand the arguments enough; however, this phenomena happens less frequently with policy debate. 
• By the same logic, judges tend to give your high-pitched female partner higher speaker points as opposed to the male partner with a lower, deeper voice.  For example, in 2017 China NSDA Changxia , I thought for sure Brent who was the Novice Champion would also win a speaker award because he enunciates with clear, loud voice, and almost never stutters, but his sister Yasmin with a voice that is higher and more pleasant won the speaker award, not Brent, who even his sister Yasmin and the team’s mom admitted was a better debater.
• Judges usually give more speaker points to the second speaker because second speaker does the rebuttal, the fighting in the debate, the most cogent and persuasive arguments in the round in order to win. In addition, the second speaker delivers the last speech in debate, which affects the judging the most.
• Judges also give lower speaker points to debaters who speak too slow, speak too fast, stutter, or silent.  For example, my son Brandon, Kelly, Allen, Kevin, and other policy debaters who had years of debate experience are so advanced that they usually speak too fast in rounds (called spreading in policy debate); therefore, they had a hard time suddenly adjusting to the slower PF style of debate in 2016 Korea NSDA. As a result, they received lower speaker points compared to some of the novice, female, high-pitched speakers like Yasmin and Kristina who spoke slower.
• Judges also give lower speaker points to overly aggressive or rude debaters. U.S. Style debate encourages civility by awarding polite debaters with higher speaker points. 

I hope you finally comprehend this difference, and understand that winning is more important in debate as opposed to speaker points, as speaker points often fluctuate too wildly on luck (what kind of judges you get), or the voice type (high/low, male/female), proving that it really has nothing to do with your child’s mental ability. In fact, NSDA does not give NSDA points to students with high speaker points; rather, it gives NSDA points to students who not only win debate (4 points each round), but even lose (2 points each round). Also, for every debate tournament, awards for top speakers are always smaller compared to debate team awards, which clearly symbolizes the order of importance and significance in the debate world. 

HEALTHY CONCEPT OF WINNING

For so long as your child is learning and improving, your child is winning, even if s/he never wins in the tournament. Remember why your child is learning to debate: 1) because everything in life comes down to one’s ability to communicate; 2) debate is the highest stimulant for brain and best food for critical thinking; 3) debate students become most distinguished leaders of the world; 4) the new SAT was designed by a former debate champion, David Coleman, and requires debate skills more than ever; and 5) critical thinking is the skill set necessary to survive or thrive in the U.S. universities and in their future job-settings.

SPEAKER POINTS 聲明 二

我知道有些家長認為speaker points代表著辯論技巧的”成績”，但其實不是。speaker points在ADL評分表中跟輸贏沒有任何關係，他們是兩個分開的項目。speaker points只用在延長賽。

事實上，一局獲勝表示著你真正的辯論技巧，透過邏輯及證據說服。另一方面，speaker points只是顯示著你講得大聲、清楚並有禮貌。

SPEAKER POINTS 有幾個問題：

• 每位裁判是不一樣的。對於分數，有些是很吝嗇的，有些是很大方的。舉例來說，吝嗇的裁判可能會給學生分數在18-25之間。當裁判很大方時，他會給分數在25-30之間。所以，運氣不好的學生遇到吝嗇的裁判時，將不會有機會可以贏speaker獎。
• Speaker points雖然不代表你的辯論技巧卻是你聲音的傳達，一個有著大聲、清楚及聲調高的學生通常會得到較高的分數。
• 一樣的道理，裁判傾向於給音調高的女生較高的speaker points，相反的有著低沉聲音的男生較低的speaker points。
• 裁判通常給第二的說話者較多的speaker points，因為第二個說話者做的反駁，是辯論裡的搏鬥，在回合為了能贏，提出最讓人信服且最有說服力的論點。
• 裁判也會給說話太慢、太快、結巴或沉默的說話者。
• 裁判也給說話太過挑釁或粗魯的辯論者較低的分數。

我希望你最終能夠理解這個差異也了解在辯論中獲勝比speaker points重要，speaker points會因為運氣的因素有太廣的波動（遇到什麼樣的裁判），或是聲音的不同（高/低，男/女），證明這與您的孩子的心智能力無關。事實上，NSDA並沒有把NSDA分給那些講話點數高的學生; 相反，它給NSDA分數的學生不僅贏得辯論（每輪4分），甚至輸（每輪2分）。

只要是您的孩子正在學習及進步，您的孩子就是贏的，就算他/她不曾在比賽中獲勝。記得您孩子為什麼學習辯論：1. 因為在生活中的每個東西都涉及到溝通的能力。2. 辯論對頭腦有最大的刺激也是批判性思考的最好糧食。3. 辯論學生成為世界卓越的領導人。最後4. 新制SAT是由前任辯論冠軍-David Coleman所設計，要求比以前更多的辯論技巧。

Competition Events

Competition Events Guide

Speech  involves a presentation by one or two students that is judged against a similar type of presentation by others in a round of competition. There are two general categories of speech events, public address events and interpretive events.  Public address events  feature a speech written by the student, either in advance or with limited prep, that can answer a question, share a belief, persuade an audience, or educate the listener on a variety of topics.  Interpretation events center upon a student selecting and performing published material and appeal to many who enjoy acting and theatre. 

Debate involves an individual or a team of students working to effectively convince a judge that their side of a resolution or topic is, as a general principle, more valid. Students in debate come to thoroughly understand both sides of an issue, having researched each extensively, and learn to think critically about every argument that could be made on each side.

To learn more about each event, click on the event name.

Interp events.

• Dramatic Interpretation (DI)
• Duo Interpretation (DUO)
• Humorous Interpretation (HI)
• Poetry (POE)
• Program Oral Interpretation (POI)
• Prose (PRO)
• Storytelling (STO)

Public Address Events

• Commentary (EXC)
• Declamation (DEC)
• Expository (EXP)
• Impromptu (IMP)
• Informative Speaking (INF)
• International Extemporaneous Speaking (IX)
• Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking (MX)
• Original Oratory (OO)
• Original Spoken Word Poetry (SW)
• Pro Con Challenge (PCC)
• United States Extemporaneous Speaking (USX)

Debate Events

• Big Questions (BQ)
• Congressional Debate (House & Senate) (CON)
• Extemporaneous Debate (XDB)
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD)
• Policy Debate (CX)
• Public Forum Debate (PF)
• World Schools Debate (WS)

Students are presented with prompts related to societal, political, historic or popular culture and, in 20 minutes, prepare a five-minute speech responding to the prompt. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest. At the National Tournament, students may use internet during preparation. Some other tournaments may not. The speech is delivered from memory and no notes are allowed.

About Declamation

About Dramatic Interpretation

About Duo Interpretation

About Expository

About Humorous Interpretation

About Impromptu

Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be light-hearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.

An adapted version of Impromptu, Prepared Prompt Speaking, has been used at online tournaments. In Prepared Prompt, students will be given a list of topics prior to the tournament, select one prompt from the official list, prepare a speech, and submit it through the recording process.

Impromptu is a public speaking event that tests a student’s ability to analyze a prompt, process their thoughts, organize the points of the speech, and deliver them in a clear, coherent manner. Students’ logic is extremely important. They must be able to take an abstract idea, such as a fortune from a fortune cookie, and put together a speech that has a thesis and supporting information.

About Informative Speaking

Informative is a speech written by the student with the intent to inform the audience on a topic of significance. Students in informative may use a visual aid. Informative gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their personality while educating the audience. An Informative is not simply an essay about the topic—it is a well researched and organized presentation with evidence, logic, and sometimes humor to convey a message. Topics are varied and interesting. Whether it be a new technological advance the audience is unaware of or a new take on a concept that everyone is familiar with, Informative is the students opportunity to teach the audience. Types of topics and structure vary greatly.

About International Extemp

International Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called International Extemp, is a speech on current International events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Students report to a draw room (often referred to as Extemp prep) where all of the Extempers gather at tables, set out their files, and await their turn to draw topics. Students may access research brought with them to the tournament during the 30-minute preparation period. Some tournaments, including the NSDA National Tournament, will permit students to use the internet to research during preparation time. When prep time is up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a 7 minute speech. Students have a lot to do in 30 minutes—they must select a question, review research, outline arguments with supporting materials, and practice at least part of the speech before time expires. Many tournaments prohibit the consultation of notes during the speech in which case speech structure and evidence need to be memorized during prep time as well.

Mixed Extemp

Mixed Extemp combines international and domestic issues (as opposed to two separate events like high school). Mixed Extemp is an event at the NSDA Middle School National Tournament. Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to national and international current events. The student has 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence to help with their preparation. The internet may be used during preparation time at the NSDA Middle School National Tournament, though local events may not allow use of internet.

About Original Oratory

About Original Spoken Word Poetry

Students write and perform original poetry to express ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning.

The maximum time limit is 5 minutes with a 30-second grace period. The delivery must be memorized, and no book or script may be used. No more than 150 words of the original poetry may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing. A successful performer will craft a piece that elicits critical thought, reflection, or emotion. As opposed to traditional Poetry, Spoken Word Poetry is created to be performed aloud and may feature rhythmic flow, vivid imagery, word play, gestures, lyrical elements, and repetition. Use the Getting Started with Original Spoken Word Poetry guide as a helpful tool to explore ways to express thoughts and experiences through poetry.

About Poetry

Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Often Poetry is very creative in terms of vocabulary and composition. While Poetry may tell a story or develop a character, more often Poetry’s focus on language and form are designed to elicit critical thought, reflection, or emotion. Students may choose what the National Speech & Debate Association refers to as traditional Poetry, which often has a formal meter or rhyme scheme, or nontraditional Poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but lacks formal rhyme or meter. Poetry is different than Original Spoken Word Poetry in that students in Poetry will perform works written by others. In Poetry, students may chose to perform one long poem or create a program of poetry from one source or multiple sources.

Pro Con Challenge

Students select the National Tournament topic for CX, LD, or PF or a piece of legislation in the Congressional Debate Docket and write a 3-5 minute affirmative speech and a 3-5 minute negative speech on that topic. This event allows students to explore debate topics in a new and exciting way while showing off their writing, research, and delivery skills.

About Progam Oral Interpretation

About Prose

About Storytelling

Storytelling consists of sharing a story with an audience, performed as if the audience were a group of young children. Some tournaments have themes that the story selection must fit in; the National Tournament does not have a theme, and any story selection is acceptable. The story must not exceed five minutes. Students may use a full range of movement to express themselves and may incorporate a chair in a variety of different ways, though the chair may not be used as a prop during the performance. Students may be seated but most commonly performers use a full range of stage space available to them. As there are so many different types of stories that can be performed, it is important to observe rounds to see what other students and teams are using. The Association has final rounds of Storytelling from both the high school and middle school level to review. Local and regional tournaments may vary in the selection of stories performed.

About United States Extemp

About Big Questions Debate

Time limits.

*Each team is entitled to three minutes of prep time during the round.

About Congressional Debate

About Extemporaneous Debate

About Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate typically appeals to individuals who like to debate, but prefer a one-on-one format as opposed to a team or group setting. Additionally, individuals who enjoy LD like exploring questions of how society ought to be. Many people refer to LD Debate as a “values” debate, as questions of morality and justice are commonly examined. Students prepare cases and then engage in an exchange of cross-examinations and rebuttals in an attempt to convince a judge that they are the better debater in the round.

About Policy Debate

About Public Forum Debate

About World Schools Debate