Self-Guided Student Learning
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.
Latest Releases
Plan your practices with our 2023-2024 resource release schedule.
PF Topic Resources
Download a topic breakdown and advanced evidence on the Sept/Oct Public Forum Topic, Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its military presence in the Arctic.
LD Topic Resources
Download a topic breakdown and Advanced Evidence on the Sep/Oct Lincoln-Douglas Topic Analysis, Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.
World Schools Motions
Download the September 2023 World Schools Debate Motions.
Congress Legislation
Download the September 2023 Legislation Docket.
Extemp Questions
Download the September 2023 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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Members
Final Round Videos
Learn from the best of the best in final round performances from the high school and middle school National Tournaments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resource Package Subscribers
Webinar Recordings
Access our webinar archives for tips from experts on trying new events and improving your skills,
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.
Free
Informative Speech Breakdown – Anneteke Adoga
Learn strategies for Info as two-time national champion Anneteke Adoga breaks down her 2022 speech.
Members
Student Experts Series
Discover more tips from national finalists in our student experts video series.
Skill Building
Members
Running Practices
Access more than 50 individual drills and practice activities for delivery, prep, strategy, memorization, characterization, movement, and more.
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.
Free
How to Create a Character
Explore ways to bring complexity and purpose to each character with tips from Samuel L. Jackson.
Members
Intro to Flowing PF and LD
Conquer note taking in PF and LD in this series of flowing videos with example speeches.
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.
Members
How to Cut a Card
Practice identifying and organizing evidence for a debate round with this short video.
Members
Intro to Framework
Understand how to construct, justify, and respond to framework in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
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.
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.
Members
Crossfire Tips
Pick up six tips for effective Public Forum crossfire from a PF national champion.
Members
HeinOnline
Research topics with the HeinOnline Database.
Free
Speech Warm Ups
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.
Members
Poetry Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Poetry, including a sample annotated cutting and advice from national finalists.
Members
Prose Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Prose, including event basics, sample performances, and advice from National Tournament finalists.
Members
Declamation Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Declamation, including event basics, advice for cutting and delivery, and sample performances.
Members
Extemp Commentary Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Extemp Commentary, including event basics, sample prompts, practice tips, and sample performances.
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.
Free
Glossary
Learn the meaning of common terms in the speech and debate community.