Want to Argue?

Public Forum Debate:

• This is a form of partner debate - it is two partners vs. two partners
• You will be debating a resolution - either affirm (agree with) it, or negate (disagree with) it
• You have to prepare both sides! Be prepared to argue either one.
• Usually about current events or domestic/global affairs.
• Rounds typically last 45 minutes
• Watch a round: 2018 Public Forum Debate NSDA Nationals Final Round - Kodnani/Maunder - Medina/Sheerer

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Cross-Examination/Policy Debate

• Like Public Forum, this is a partner event!
• Prepare to negate and affirm the resolution
• About creating policy - is more technical than Public Forum and meant for academic audiences
• Rounds last anywhere from 1 hour 30 mins - 2 hours
• Watch a round: 2018 Policy Debate Barkley Forum Tournament Final Round​

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World Schools Debate

• This is a form of team debate, with 3-5 members per team
• Meant to be understandable to the general public and more focused on speaking ability.
• Teams will argue either proposition or opposition regarding a motion (like a resolution) - prepare both sides!
• Rounds are typically 1 hour long
• Watch a round: 2020 World Schools Debate HWL Final Round - Greenhill v. Team USA

Congressional Debate

• This is modeled after Congress! There are around 10+ individuals competing in a round, where legislation is proposed and debated
• Lists of legislation (dockets) are distributed beforehand, multiple pieces of legislations are proposed in round
• There is a Presiding Officer (PO) present to call on speakers, keep time, and make sure parliamentary procedure is followed
• Give speeches that are around 3 minutes advocating for or opposing legislation
• Rounds can last from 1 hour 30 minutes - 3 hours
• Watch a speech: 2018 NSDA National Debate  Tournament - Jason Ancheta​​

Lincoln Douglas Debate

• This is an individual debate event - one person versus the other
• You still negate or affirm a resolution and have to prepare to debate either side!
• About values and morality - arguments are often more complex
• Rounds typically last 40 minutes
• Watch a round: 2019 Lincoln-Douglas Debate NSDA Nationals Final Round - Chigurupati-Johannes ​

Big Questions Debate

• Students can compete as an individual OR as a team
• Either side will (again) be affirming or negating a resolution
• Opponents will debate topics concerning the intersection of science, religion, and philosophy
• Rounds are typically 45 minutes long
• Watch a round: 2017 Big Questions Debate NSDA Nationals Final Round - Roy v. Lewis
  
  

Want to learn to think on your feet?

Extemporaneous Speaking: 

• Draw three speech topics to choose between

• 30 minutes to prepare and memorize
• 7 minute speech time with 30 seconds grace
• Covers a range of topics, from domestic to international issues, but is mainly about current events. For example:
  • ​The Trump Administration
  • East Asia
  • The Middle East​
• Watch a speech: 2017 International Extemporaneous Speaking NSDA National Champion - Connor Rothschild​​

Impromptu Speaking:

• Like extemp, you will draw three topics to choose between
• 2 minutes to prepare and memorize
• 5 minute speech time with 30 seconds grace
• The topic you draw can come in many different forms. It can be:
  • ​A quote/proverb
  • A date
  • A word
  • A question
• Watch a speech: 2017 Impromptu Speaking NSDA National Final Round - Spencer Schumacher

Want to speak your mind?

Original Oratory:

• You choose your own topic! Speak about something you are passionate about. Oratories are generally advocacy speeches regarding a social issue.
• 10 minute speech with a 30 second grace period
• Write the speech before tournament, on your own time
• Watch a speech: 2019 Original Oratory NSDA National Champion - Haris Hosseini

Want to Act?

Program Oral Interpretation

• Solo event!
• 10 minute performance with 30 second grace period
• This is a woven collection of a range of  ALREADY WRITTEN media. You do not write your own material. POI’s can include excerpts from, but are not limited to:

• Prose
• Poetry
• Songs
• Articles

• Revolves around a central theme or societal issue, such as racism, sexism, etc.
• Binder event - all your material will be in a 8.5” x 5.5” black binder which you will perform with
• Doesn’t require memorization!

Watch a performance: 2019 Program Oral Interpretation NSDA National Champion - Ella Schnake

Duet Acting

• Partner event!
  
• 10 minute performance with 30 second grace period
  
• A piece can be, but is not limited to, excerpts from a range of ALREADY WRITTEN media, such as:
  

• Play scripts
  
• Books
  

• Your piece can be either dramatic or humorous in nature
  
• 2 chairs to block/choreograph with and use as props
  
• Watch a performance: 2019 Duet Acting CHS Speech and Debate Showcase - Banda/Colwell
  

Informative Speaking:

• Just like Oratory, you choose your own topic. Choose something you find interesting!
• Can use visual aids
• 10 minute speech with a 30 second grace period
• Write the speech before tournament, on your own time

Watch a speech: 2017 Informative Speaking NSDA National Final Round - Jordyn Allen
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Dramatic Interpretation

• Solo event!
• 10 minute performance with 30 second grace period
• A piece can be, but is not limited to, excerpts from a range of ALREADY WRITTEN media, such as:

• Monologues
• Play scenes
• Books

• Dramatic in nature - meant to center around a societal issue
• Watch a performance: 2019 Dramatic Interpretation NSDA Nationals Final Round - Sema’j Lee

Humorous Interpretation

• Solo event!
• 10 minute performance with 30 second grace period
• A piece can be, but is not limited to, excerpts from a range of ALREADY WRITTEN media, such as:

• Monologues
• Play scenes
• Published stand-up routines

• This event is meant to be funny - make your audience laugh!

• Often involves multiple characters
• Meant to have a moral/lesson at the end
• Watch a performance: 2019 Humorous Interpretation NSDA National Champion - Connor Sherry

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Duo Interpretation

• Like Duet Acting, this is a partner event!
  
• 10 minute performance with 30 second grace period
  
• A piece can be, but is not limited to, excerpts from a range of ALREADY WRITTEN media, such as:
  

• Play scripts
  
• Books
  

• Can be humorous or dramatic in nature
  

• You CANNOT TOUCH or MAKE EYE CONTACT with your partner
  
• You do not get chairs to use as props
  
• Watch a performance: 2017 Duo Interpretation NSDA Nationals Final Round - Doty/Sanders
  

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