January Student Newsletter
January Student Newsletter

Check out what's new in the speech and debate world!  

2021 National Tournament Announcement

After months of careful consideration, we have made the decision to host the 2021 National Speech & Debate Tournament online for middle school and high school students due to the ongoing pandemic. 
Every day bears out the importance of teaching speech and debate at our schools. Our mission remains the same: to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate. The National Tournament offers students an unparalleled platform to share their stories and speak up on the issues they care about, and we're committed to giving students that opportunity through an online event. 
Expanded Access to National Tournament Supplemental Events
For the 2021 National Tournament only, the NSDA Board of Directors has decided to expand competition opportunities to more member students and schools by implementing the following change to supplemental events. Every member school that participates in the district tournament series will have the opportunity to enter up to two non-qualifying students in supplemental events at the online 2021 National Tournament. These students must have attended the district tournament but not earned qualification in any event. This applies to every school that participated in the district tournament, regardless of whether they qualified other students to the National Tournament, and it only applies to the 2021 National Tournament.

New Competitive Resources

Public Forum Topic Analysis

Members can access new files on the January Public Forum topic, Resolved: The National Security Agency should end its surveillance of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

Lincoln-Douglas Topic Analysis

Members can access fresh files on the January/February Lincoln-Douglas topic, Resolved: States ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons.

Fresh Extemp Questions

In retrospect, how could the world have better handled the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020? Has Congress taken the right approach to economic stimulus? Members can access these questions and more in our new set of Extemp practice questions

Congressional Debate Legislation Docket 

The latest Congressional Debate docket includes A Bill to Provide Land Acknowledgment, A Bill to Establish Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices, and more! 

World Schools Debate Motions

Members can check out an updated set of prepared and impromptu motions for World Schools Debate, including This House would make development aid contingent on advancements in human rights by the recipient nation or This House believes that the notion of journalistic objectivity has done more harm than good. 

Thank You Grams

Show your thanks to a teacher, coach, admin, or other team leader on National Speech and Debate Education Day with a Thank You Gram! Sign up here and we'll send a message on March 5 to whomever you choose, thanking them for their support in a tough year. 

Celebrate Speech and Debate!

Make a plan to celebrate speech and debate's biggest day on March 5, 2021, National Speech and Debate Education DaySign up to be a captain for your school and receive our digital toolkit and free resources to help plan how your team will celebrate the life-changing skills millions of students have gained through this activity.
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