National Speech and Debate Tournament
National Speech and Debate Tournament has been held by National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) since 1931 and is considered the pinnacle of High School speech and debate. Students compete in preliminary rounds in their respective events before being selected for the finals. After qualifying tournaments, 2-7 finalists move forward with the national debate competition. There are two tournaments each year: National Speech & Debate Tournament and the Middle School National Speech & Debate Tournament.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Middle and high school students
Eligibility
$45-50 per middle school students, $75-100 per high school students
Entry fee
June 14
Registration Deadline
June 14-19, 2025 at Des Moines Area, Iowa
Competition Date
Competition Details
1. Speech Events
Speech competitions feature presentations by one or two students, judged against similar presentations in each round. They are divided into two main categories:
- Public Address Events: These involve speeches crafted by the students, either prepared in advance or with limited preparation, focusing on various objectives such as persuasion, education, or personal beliefs.
- Interpretation Events: These events require students to select and perform published material, appealing particularly to those interested in acting and theater.
2. Debate Events
Debate is a competitive activity where individuals or teams work to persuade judges that their position on a resolution or topic is more valid. Participants research both sides of an issue extensively, fostering critical thinking about all potential arguments.
