Speech & Debate Options

Public Forum

According to NSDA, "As a team event, students who compete in Public Forum need to be able to work well with a partner. Balanced teams, both in terms of preparation before debates and contributions within a debate, helps provide a competitive advantage during tournaments. PF looks at current event topics. Students who do Public Forum must be prepared to debate in front of judges without any formal debate training. Being able to persuade a range of judges is a central component to this event. Additionally, PF is focused upon debating varying resolutions that change frequently, which exposes students to a variety of topics during a singular competitive season.

Current Topics for PF 

Jan  PF Topic

Resolved: The African Union should grant diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

Feb PF Topic

Resolved: The United States should accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Resource Table




Lincoln Douglas

According to NSDA, "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."

Current Topics for LD

Jan/Feb Topic

Resolved: The United States ought to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and/or the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. 

Topic Analysis Video from Champion Briefs

Values in LD Debate

Framework vs Contentions in LD

Resource Table


Value: Quality that people consider important.

Criterion: “a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something” (dictionary.com).

Value: Quality that people consider important.

Criterion: “a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something” (dictionary.com).


Value Comparison Worksheet






Original Oratory

 According to NSDA, "Original Oratory is a speech written by the student with the intent to inform or persuade the audience on a topic of significance. Oratory gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic. An Oratory is not simply an essay about the topic—it is a well researched and organized presentation with evidence, logic, emotional appeals, and sometimes humor to convey a message. Topics may be of a value orientation and affect people at a personal level, such as avoiding peer pressure, or they can be more of a policy orientation and ask an audience to enact particular policies or solve societal problems. "

Final Rounds 2019 Speech Examples

Judging Oratory

Resource Table

NSDA Judge's Comment Sheet

Requirements per NSDA

"The only requirements are that the speech must be original to the student (written by them), truthful, and contain no more than 150 directly-quoted words. In addition, the speech must be memorized for competition, and fall within the time limit of 10 minutes (with a 30-second “grace period”)"

The judges will look for several factors: 

1) Importance (how significant the topic is), 

2) Relatability (How personable the delivery is? How this impacts people?)

 3) Originality (How unique and inventive is the delivery? Are the supporting examples interesting and engaging?)

Mrs. MacFarland also suggests following a specific format: Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Format

Time Limits The time limit is to be 7 minutes minimum and 10 minutes maximum. No notes are permitted during actual delivery. Not more than ten percent of the material (or 150 words) shall be quoted or paraphrased.