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Self-Guided Student Learning

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Find tools to build your skills and expand your understanding of different competitive speech and debate events. For more resources, visit our resource table.

Resource Access

This collection features resources from a variety of membership levels.

Free: Resources available to all.
Members: Resources available to members logged in and attached to a school with an NSDA membership.
Resource Package Subscribers: Resources available to individuals or teams who are logged in and have purchased a Resource Package with additional tools.

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Latest Releases

Plan your practices with our 2023-2024 resource release schedule.

PF Topic Resources

 

Download a topic breakdown and advanced evidence on the March Public Forum Topic, Resolved: In the United States, collegiate studentathletes should be classified as employees of their educational institution.

LD Topic Resources

 

Download a topic breakdown on the Mar/Apr Lincoln-Douglas Topic Analysis, Resolved: The primary objective of the United States criminal justice system ought to be rehabilitation.

World Schools Motions

 

Download the March 2024 World Schools Debate Motions.

Congress Legislation

 

Download the March 2024 Legislation Docket.

Extemp Questions

 

Download the March 2024 Extemp Practice Questions.

Policy Files

Access the 2023-2024 Starter Files, Courtesy of NDCA

Big Questions Topic Resources

Download resources on the Big Questions topic, Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.

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Expository Speaking Final Round

Members

Final Round Videos

Learn from the best of the best in final round performances from the high school and middle school National Tournaments.

Follow a Script Through the Cutting Process

Members

Duo Breakdown

Dive into the process of putting together a Duo performance from start to finish. This course offers a look behind the scenes at the cutting, blocking, practicing, and performing of a final round Duo.

Extemp Speech Breakdown Beginner

Free

Extemp Speech Breakdown (Beginner)

Follow the breakdown of a champion Extemp speech to learn more about the components of a speech and decision making.

Extemp Prep and Speech Breakdown: Featuring Jacqueline Wei

Free

Extemp Speech Breakdown (Advanced)

Join an expert extemper as they narrate their live prep and deliver their speech. Learn how they balance their time, search for evidence, and more.

Advanced Extemp Breakdown

Members

International Extemp Speech Breakdown

Learn advanced Extemp strategies from a two-time national champion in this video.

How to Pick a Piece

Free

How to Pick a Piece or Topic

Join expert coaches, Interpers, and Orators for an in-depth conversation about searching for a piece or choosing a topic, identifying your strengths, and finding the right fit.

Webinar Recordings

Resource Package Subscribers

Webinar Recordings

Access our webinar archives for tips from experts on trying new events and improving your skills,

Informative Speech Breakdown

Members

Informative Speech Breakdown – Ceceilia Voss

Go behind the curtain of a final round Info to learn tips for visual aids, speech structure, and more.

Informative Speech Breakdown Anneteke Adoga

Free

Informative Speech Breakdown – Anneteke Adoga

Learn strategies for Info as two-time national champion Anneteke Adoga breaks down her 2022 speech.

Advanced Informative Speaking Breakdown

Members

Advanced Informative Speech Breakdown – Anneteke Adoga

Pick up advanced techniquess from two-time national champion Anneteke Adoga as she breaks down her 2022 speech.

How to Write and Perform Original Spoken Word Poetry

Members

How to Write and Perform Original Spoken Word Poetry

Pick up on primers on the event, as well as guidance for writing and practical activities for getting started. 

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Members

Student Experts Series

Discover more tips from national finalists in our student experts video series.

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Skill Building

Running Practices

Members

Running Practices

Access more than 50 individual drills and practice activities for delivery, prep, strategy, memorization, characterization, movement, and more.

Character Checklist

Members

Interp Character Checklist

Use this checklist to experiment and track progress in bringing a character to life through their movement, voice, motivations, environment, and more.

How to Create a Character

Free

How to Create a Character

Explore ways to bring complexity and purpose to each character with tips from Samuel L. Jackson.

Intro to Flowing PF and LD

Members

Intro to Flowing PF and LD

Conquer note taking in PF and LD in this series of flowing videos with example speeches.

Intro to Flowing Policy

Members

Intro to Flowing Policy

Learn why, how, and what to take note of in a Policy Debate round in this series of flowing videos.

How to Cut a Card

Members

How to Cut a Card

Practice identifying and organizing evidence for a debate round with this short video.

Two students performing at Nationals on stage

Members

Intro to Framework

Understand how to construct, justify, and respond to framework in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Intro to Philosophy

Members

Intro to Philosophy

Understand how to apply philosophies to strengthen or weaken arguments, differentiate the three main branches of philosophy, and engage constructively with philosophies that are commonly used in competitive debates.

Students debating on a national stage

Members

Intro to Kritiks

Learn to explain, identify, and respond to types of kritiks, which are arguments that focus on power structures that exist around us and how they cause the problems we ought to address.

Six Tips for Effective Crossfire

Members

Crossfire Tips

Pick up six tips for effective Public Forum crossfire from a PF national champion.

Heinonline - Research topics with the HeinOnline Database.

Members

HeinOnline

Research topics with the HeinOnline Database.

Speech Warm Ups

Free

Speech Warm Ups
Warm-ups are the verbal and physical exercises we do before and between rounds to get energy, focus, and warm voices. Here are a few popular warm-ups used by teams across the country.
Improptu Starter Kit

Members

Impromptu Starter Kit

Use these notes on event structure, balancing time, and delivery, as well as practice activities and advice from National Tournament finalists to get started with Impromptu.

Poetry Starter Kit

Members

Poetry Starter Kit

Use this guide to get started with Poetry, including a sample annotated cutting and advice from national finalists.

Prose Starter Kit

Members

Prose Starter Kit

Use this guide to get started with Prose, including event basics, sample performances, and advice from National Tournament finalists.

Declamation Starter Kit

Members

Declamation Starter Kit

Use this guide to get started with Declamation, including event basics, advice for cutting and delivery, and sample performances.

Extemp Commentary Starter Kit

Members

Extemp Commentary Starter Kit

Use this guide to get started with Extemp Commentary, including event basics, sample prompts, practice tips, and sample performances.

Storytelling Starter Kit

Members

Storytelling Starter Kit

Use this guide to get started with Storytelling, including event basics, advice for using the chair and selecting a piece, delivery tips, and sample performances.

Speech and Debate Glossary

Free

Glossary

Learn the meaning of common terms in the speech and debate community.

Resources for Coaching Debate

Resources for Coaching Speech

Team Management Resources

Explore all NSDA Resources

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