While speech and debate is thriving online, we know there are some parts of the country where opportunities are limited. We are piloting a rule for 2020-2021 that allows students to earn up to 75 merit points for intrasquad and intersquad competitions that do not have the required four schools participating. Tabulation software and the NSDA site will not regulate this; it will be the affirmative duty of coaches to ensure what is posted is in line with this rule.
Do You Know a Great Teacher?
The National Educator of the Year Award honors an active classroom teacher in the field of speech and/or debate for their enhancements to the quality of education in the field of speech and debate. Assistant coaches, if this sounds like your head coach, please nominate them for the award! Questions? See our FAQs.
As district tournaments will be online this year, our Springboard Series provides students with a free opportunity to practice online competition! The final tournament in this series will be held Saturday, December 5. Each event will have a middle school and a high school open division.
Dramatic, Humorous, and Program Oral Interpretation
Original Oratory
Informative Speaking
Prepared Mixed Extemp
Policy, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, World Schools, and Congressional Debate
PF Topic Analysis
Member students can use our topic analysis to get aquainted with the November/December PF topic, Resolved: The United States should adopt a declaratory nuclear policy of no first use.
Read the Latest Rostrum
Check out the new Rostrum for stories, tips, and resources related to problem solving! The cover story features Taipei American School, where time differences require students to compete in the middle of the night. Despite the 3:00 a.m. round times, the program had its most successful recruitment season ever this fall as they focused on the importance of student voices. Find takeaways for your program and check out the recruitment video that was crucial to their success!
This issue also features guidance for finding the “perfect” piece, ideas for making your tournament more inclusive, tips for competing online from the USA Debate team, and highs, lows, and advice from veteran coaches.
Celebrate Supporters with an Honorary NSDA Membership
Did you know you can nominate an adult who has contributed to your team to be an honorary National Speech & Debate Association member? This is a great way to generate buy-in from administrators or honor a parent who helps your team! Honorary members must be adults who have contributed in some significant way to the speech and debate program of the local chapter, but have not earned Association membership as a student or instructor.
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