Participation

Participation in Competitive Speech and Debate

Students must be 12 years of age by January 1 of the current school year in order to participate in speech and debate tournaments. Some competitions accommodate younger speakers. The speech and debate season in Minnesota begins in late fall and wraps up with a state NCFCA qualifying tournament in March, with possible advancement to regional and national levels. The cost to participate in each tournament varies, generally $15-25 per participant or team.

Competitive Speech

Participation in competitive speech allows students to practice and improve basic, foundational communication skills important to being understood; extended participation (more than one season) in competitive speech allows students to build on these skills as they compete in progressively more demanding categories.

For more information on Preparing for Competitive Speech Click Here

NCFCA speech categories used in Minnesota during 2007-2008:

Descriptions of these categories can be found at www.ncfca.org/speech

Dramatic Interpretation
Duo Interpretation
Humorous Interpretation
Open Interpretation
Apologetics
Impromptu
Extemporaneous
Expository
Original Oratory
Persuasive

Debate

Debate builds on skills learned in public speaking, but does not require public speaking experience for students to participate. With practice and commitment, students can become proficient at respectfully and clearly supporting their positions in debate rounds and in everyday life.

Documenting high school credit for subjects studied while participating in debate activities is discussed in several debate resources. (See Resources)

For more information on Debate in Minnesota Click Here

The 2007-08 NCFCA Debate Resolutions are:

Team Policy:
Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially change its policy on illegal immigration.

Lincoln Douglas:
Resolved: That the United States of America ought to more highly value isolationism.

For more information visit: www.ncfca.org/debate

Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1Timothy 4:12