2020 Middle School Speech Challenge Booklet

M AY 2 6 – J U N E 1 9, 2 0 2 0

WE ARE SPEECH & DEBATE.

WELCOME! Thank you for participating in the Middle School Speech Challenge. The purpose of the Middle School Speech Challenge is to give middle school students a low-stress, enjoyable competition opportunity that can be done from their homes.

The tournament will not feature any live performances or live judging. All middle school events will be offered as asynchronous recordings using the same recording and submission process as main speech events in high school through the Nationals Recording Site system. The asynchronous model allows the NSDA to honor achievement while avoiding asking young competitors to solve technology and logistical issues on their own.

Judges will be assigned a series of preliminary rounds to judge within a window of time.

Students will not be present while judges are scoring the rounds, but coaches will have access to judge feedback after the competition is judged.

The top students in each middle school event will be named as national middle school showcase finalists who will be recognized during the National Tournament Awards Ceremony (the livestream starts Friday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT), and their recorded performances will be made available on the NSDA website as a resource and celebration.

–1–

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW May 26 - June 4 • Students may practice their performance within the NSDA recording site. When they have the best version of their performance required, they can submit! The recording must be submitted by June 4.

June 8 - June 12 • Judges will receive their judging

assignments through Tabroom.com by June 8. They will have until June 12 to watch videos of the performances and rank each of the competitors in the round.

June 19 • Stream the National Tournament awards ceremony

to find out which students were selected as showcase finalists in each event! After the awards ceremony, the top videos in each event will be showcased on the NSDA website.

EVENTS Many typical NSDA Middle School Nationals speech events will be offered: Declamation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking (no visual aids permitted), Original Oratory, Poetry, Program Oral Interpretation, Storytelling, and Prose. Two additional events will be adapted to the asynchronous format: Prepared Mixed Extemporaneous Speaking and Prepared Prompt Speaking (revised version of Impromptu).

In these two formats, students will receive lists of 10 topics or prompts on May 1. They will pick one to speak on and record and submit their speech on that topic within the typical time limits of those events.

–2–

NEW EVENTS Congressional Debate Authorship Challenge • In this event,

competitors will select two pieces of legislation from the High School Nationals Congressional Debate Docket and construct two authorship speeches 3-5 minutes in length. Both speeches must be authorship speeches; negative responses to the legislation are not permitted. While students will write out the speeches, they should not be memorized. Eye contact and other aspects of nonverbal communication are important considerations. Students may speak from notes in any format—legal pads, notecards, or tablets, for example, are all permissible. Students will give both of those speeches within a recording limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds, taking prep time between speeches, if needed, but staying within their limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Judges will evaluate the structure, arguments, evidence, and speaking abilities of each competitor and rank them against each other.

Pro Con Challenge • In this event, students will write a 3-5 minute

affirmative case and a 3-5 minute negative case on the National Tournament topic for Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, or Policy Debate. Both cases must be on the same topic. They will read both of those speeches within a recording limit of 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Students may take recorded “prep time” in between speeches to pull up files or take a short break, but the recording will stop them at 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Judges will evaluate the structure, arguments, evidence, and speaking abilities of each competitor and rank them against each other. The event’s goal is to demonstrate that students have the ability to see multiple perspectives on an overall issue. While students will write out the speeches, they should not be memorized. Eye contact and other aspects of nonverbal communication are important considerations. Students may speak from notes in any format—legal pads, notecards, or tablets, for example, are all permissible.

There are a number of choices that competitors are free to make with regard to the structure of their Pro Con speeches. For example, you may run a plan if you choose the Policy Debate topic, but it is not required.

During your con case, you may refute your pro case, but it is not required. It is important to remember that these speeches will be judged against any of the given topic areas all in one round. Thus, coaches and students may wish to make their speeches friendly to a wide range of judges.

–3–

ABOUT JUDGING Judges will need a Tabroom.com account in order to access their judging assignments and complete their ballots. To check that an account is set up and ready to go, judges should log in to Tabroom.com and look for “NSDA Middle School Speech Challenge” under “Judging” on the right side of the page.

All judges are eligible to judge all events. By June 8, judges can login to Tabroom.com and will see their assigned rounds. For each round they have been assigned, they will see the event, the round number (one through five) and a button that says “Start Round.” When judges click “Start Round,” it will take them to their ballot, which will have a space to rank each student from 1 to 7. Judges will watch each student’s video in order from the student listed at the top of the ballot to the student listed at the bottom of the ballot. The best performance will receive a 1, the second best will receive a 2, and so on. There is space on the ballot for judges to leave feedback for each competitor. Judges are encouraged to describe what the student did well, where they could improve, and why they received their rank.

Judges must adjudicate all of their assigned rounds by June 12. They may do so at any time in the June 8-12 window. Each school in the tournament has posted a $200 bond that will be refunded if all judges for a school complete their assignments on time. If a judge does not complete their judging assignments by the deadline, the school will lose their judge bond and be charged a $400 fine. An additional $400 fine will be assessed for additional judges that do not complete their assignments.

Equity is a core value of the National Speech & Debate Association, and we trust that our judges will help us live that value. Many students and judges do not have equal access to the internet and technology. Judges should not allow video/sound equipment quality, physical location, or other elements not in control of individual students to affect their decisions.

Visit www.speechandebate.org/competition-events to learn more about each of the events!

–4–

PROCEDURES For complete Middle School Speech Challenge procedures, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

JUDGE TRAINING In partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), we offer online training to help you identify the different types of speech and debate events and review basic judging guidelines. This course contains example student performances so you can practice judging while receiving tips on what to note during an actual round.

We also offer cultural competency training for all judges. Visit www.speechanddebate.org/judge-training to get started!

Cultural Competency Training

Adjudicating Speech and Debate

NSDA HELPLINES info@speechanddebate.org - general inquiries about the Middle School Speech Challenge tech@speechanddebate.org - technology issues with Tabroom.com or the competition site

–5–

ABOUT THE SHOWCASE The top students in each middle school event will be named as National Middle School Showcase Finalists, and their recorded performances will be made available on the NSDA website as a resource and celebration. The number of competitors recognized will depend on the number of entries in that event. All students announced as showcase winners will receive an award shipped to their school. Schools will also be awarded based on Showcase recognition.

MIDDLE SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR The National Speech & Debate Association’s Middle School Coach of the Year award recognizes an outstanding middle school speech and debate coach serving at an NSDA member school. The 2020 Middle School Coach of the Year is Shawna Christenson from The Weiss School in Florida.

FROM THE NOMINATING ESSAY | “For the past two years, her students frequently engaged the U.S. Congress, were selected to present at numerous international events, represented the United States overseas in an international competition, and been invited to present their work at the White House. Shawna has led her middle school debate students not only to success within debate tournaments locally and nationally, but she has prepared and led students to advocate, to compete, and to create federal legislation.” — Kevin L. Simmons, Science Educator, The Weiss School

–6–

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS! Your support makes the life-changing benefits of speech and debate possible.

THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN THIS ASSOCIATION... YOUR DEDICATION HAS MADE A SMALL, NERVOUS, FRIGHTENED GIRL INTO WHO I AM TODAY. IT WILL ALSO MAKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHILDREN INTO A GENERATION OF GLOBAL LEADERS. JACQUELINE WEI Plano West Sr. High School, TX – Class of 2019 2018 and 2019 United States Extemporaneous Speaking National Champion

Learn more at www.speechanddebate.org/donate

–7–

MISSION The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

VISION We envision a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.

CORE VALUES Equity

Integrity

Respect

Leadership

Service

WE HONOR THE CODE.

–8–

CODE OF HONOR “As a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service in the pursuit of excellence.”

Intergrity: An Honor Society member obeys the highest ethical standards and adheres to the rules of the organization. Members recognize that integrity is central to earning the trust, respect, and support of one’s peers. Integrity encompasses the highest regard for honesty, civility, justice, and fairness.

Humility: A member does not regard oneself more highly than others.

Regardless of a person’s level of success, an individual always looks beyond oneself to appreciate the inherent value of others.

Respect: A member respects individual differences and fosters diversity.

They promote tolerance, inclusion, and empowerment for people from a variety of backgrounds, including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.

Leadership: A member influences others to take positive action toward productive change. Members commit to thoughtful and responsible leadership that promotes the other core values in the Code of Honor.

Service: A member exercises their talents to provide service to peers, community, and the activity. At all times a member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others.

Adopted September 23, 2007 | Updated December 6, 2017 © National Speech & Debate Association

–9–

HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination.

Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

EQUITY STATEMENT The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to modeling and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion for all speech and debate communities.

We are continuously transforming our organization to reflect and operationalize the values of equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service.

We will take responsibility.

We will heed, learn, and evolve.

We will work conscientiously to model and foster an inclusive and equitable speech and debate experience for all.

– 10 –

TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS

Amy Seidelman

J. Scott Wunn

Assistant Executive Director, Assistant Tournament Director

Executive Director, Tournament Director

Annie Reisener

Lauren Burdt

Manager of Tournament Operations

Manager of Competitions

Martin Glendinning

Aaron Hardy

Judge Chair

Co-Chair of Computer Operations

Timothy E. Sheaff

Jacquelyn Young

Co-Awards Emcee

Co-Awards Emcee

– 11 –

Chris Palmer

Co-Chair of Computer Operations

Deano Pape

Middle School Chair

NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF

J. Scott Wunn

Executive Director, National Tournament Director

Aaron Hardy Director of Technology

Amy Seidelman

Assistant Executive Director, Assistant National Tournament Director

Laura Stein

Director of Business and Finance

– 12 –

Nicole Wanzer-Serrano

Director of Development

Erik Altman

Website Content Specialist

Amanda Bender Trophy Shop Assistant

Matt Bopes Membership Assistant

Graphic Designer and Publications Assistant

Emily Bratton

Lauren Burdt

Tova Hettinger

Lauren McCool

Chris Palmer

Walker Desing

Kirsten Greene Executive Assistant

Big Questions Grants Administrator

Education and Recognition Coordinator

Vicki Pape

Annie Reisener

Grace Rogers

Paul Searcy

Video and Tech Support Specialist

Publications Manager

Membership Manager

Stephanie VanderBruggen

Accounting Specialist

Marketing Communications Specialist

Lisa Vossekuil Membership Specialist

Chad Wagner Trophy Shop Manager

– 13 –

Developer

Competition Manager

Developer

Victor Torres

Colorado College Fellow

Megan Wunn Store Associate

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pam Cady Wycoff

Dr. Tommie Lindsey, Jr.

President

Vice President

Minnesota

California

Byron R. Arthur

David Huston

Adam J. Jacobi

Louisiana

Texas

Wisconsin

Jennifer M. Jerome

Renee C. Motter

Timothy E. Sheaff

Nebraska

Colorado

Iowa

Dr. Mike Edmonds

Tom Rollins

Robert Runcie

Colorado

Virginia

Admin Rep Florida

– 14 –

NSDA STORE

N at s te es

as so rted ap pa re l

pi ns and bu tt on s

un ic or n pl us hi e!

www.speechanddebate.org /store – 15 –

STR E A M NATIO NALS LIVE .

live.speechanddebate.org – 16 –

National Speech & Debate Asso

2019-2020 TOPI National Speech & Debate Association

National Speech & Debate Associatio RESOLVED: 2019-2020 TOPIC

OBJECTIVE MORALITY RESOLVED: OBJECTIVE MORALITY EXISTS.

EXI

2019-2020 TOPIC

JOIN THE DEBATE JOIN THE DEBATE RESOLVED:

OBJECTIVE MORALITY EXIST RESOURCES! FREE FREE RESOURCES! National Speech & Debate Association

2019-2020 TOPIC JOIN THE DEBATE

Students across the country are engaging in thought-provoking

Students across the country are engaging in thought-prov “As a coach and dialogue through the NSDA’s Big Questions debate series. In year “As a coach educator, I like and four of Bigdialogue Students across the country through the NSDA’s Big Questions debate series.

RESOLVED: Questions, students are being challenged to think Big Questions educator, I like critically and OBJECTIVE MORALITY EXISTS. discover supporting arguments for ideas may be four ofengaging Big Questions, students arethat being challenged to th because it allows are in thoughtBig Questions counter tocritically their own personal beliefs. supporting arguments for ideas tha students to discuss and discover because ideas it allows big philosophical provoking dialogue through JOIN THE DEBATE Students theown country are INCLUDE: engaging counter to their personal beliefs. in thought-provoki BIG across QUESTIONS TOPICS to discuss PREVIOUS in a formatstudents that all levels “As a coach and the NSDA’s Big Questions of students can attempt.

In 2016-2017 RESOLVED: Science leaves no room for dialogue through the NSDA’s Big Questions big philosophical ideas FREE RESOURCES! free will. debate series. In y time where teachers are educator, I like PREVIOUS BIGarestudents QUESTIONS TOPICS INCLUD inaconstantly a format that all levels 2017-2018 RESOLVED: Humans fundamentally different from four of Big Questions, being challenged to think debate series.

In year are four told toQuestions increase Big Students across the country are engaging in thought-provoking other animals. of students can attempt.

In 2016-2017 RESOLVED: Science leaves no room for free the rigor and broaden the critically and discover supporting arguments for ideas that ma because it allows “Asstyle a coach of BigtheQuestions, students dialogue through NSDA’s Bigare Questions debate series.

In year this of andare 2018-2019 acurriculum, time where teachers RESOLVED: Humans primarily driven by counter to their own personal beliefs. educator, I like 2017-2018 RESOLVED: fundamentally diffe students toand discuss debate offers debaters four of Big Questions, students are beingHumans challengedare to think constantly told to increase self-interest.

Big Questions are beingother challenged to big philosophical teachers an opportunity toideas critically and discover supporting arguments for ideas that may be animals. because it allows the rigor and broaden the PREVIOUS BIG beliefs.

QUESTIONS TOPICS INCLUDE: indoa both.” formatstudents that alltolevels counter tothink their own personal discuss — JEFF STUTZMAN, critically discover Free resources provided to and students, coaches, and curriculum, this style of 2018-2019 RESOLVED: Humans are no primarily driven CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL, IN In of students can attempt. big philosophical ideas 2016-2017 RESOLVED: Science leaves room for free by will teachers support the civil, informed conversations debate offers debaters and PREVIOUS BIG QUESTIONS TOPICS for INCLUDE: in a where format that all levelsare supporting arguments self-interest. a time teachers 2017-2018 RESOLVED: Humans are fundamentally different that Big Questions seeks inspire. teachers an opportunity of students can attempt. In to 2016-2017 RESOLVED: Science leaves noto room for free will. constantly told to increase a time where teachers are ideas that may be counter to do both.” other animals.

2017-2018 RESOLVED: Humans are fundamentally different from the constantly rigor andtold broaden the increase —to JEFF STUTZMAN, Free providedorto students, coach other resources animals. involved with Big Questions, to accessdriven by the CONCORD rigor and the curriculum, thisbroaden styleSCHOOL, of HIGH INTo get2018-2019 their own personal beliefs.

RESOLVED: Humans are primarily curriculum, this style of teachers the civil, informed conver of the availablesupport resources, please visit 2018-2019 RESOLVED: Humans are primarily driven by debate offers debaters and any self-interest. debate offers debaters and self-interest. or to inspire. our website at NSDABigQuestions.org teachers an opportunity to that Big Questions seeks teachers an opportunity to Questions is presented by the NSDA contact us at info@speechanddebate.org . doBigthrough both.” do both.” a generous grant provided by

FREE RESOURCES!

—JEFF JEFF STUTZMAN, STUTZMAN, the John Templeton— Foundation.

FreeFree resources provided to students, coaches, resources provided to students, Free resources provided to students, coaches, and teachers support theand coaches, CONCORDHIGH HIGH SCHOOL, IN IN CONCORD SCHOOL, support the civil, informed conversations civil, informed conversationsteachers that Questions seeks to inspire. teachers support the civil, informed conversat ToBig get involved with Big Questions, or to

that Big Questions seeks to inspire.

Big Questions is presented by the NSDA through a generous grant provided by the John Templeton Foundation.

Big Questions is presented by the NSDA through a generous grant provided by the John Templeton Foundation.

Big Questions is presented by the NSDA through a generous grant provided by the John Templeton Foundation.

Questions seeks to please inspire.vis any of that the Big available resources, NSDABigQuestions.or our website at To get involved with Big Questions, or to access info@speechanddebate us at any To ofcontact the resources, please visit getavailable involved with Big Questions, or to ac our website at NSDABigQuestions.org or any of the available resources, please contact us at info@speechanddebate.org .

visit our website at NSDABigQuestions.org contact us at info@speechanddebate.o

– 17 –

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS P L AT I N U M L E V E L

Arthur N. Rupe f oun dati on A N R F

Creative Solutions for Societal Issues

S I LV E R L E V E L

R U BY L E V E L

– 18 –

Our generous sponsors make the National Speech & Debate Tournament possible! Thank you for showing your commitment to fostering excellence in young people through speech and debate activities. For a complete list of scholarship offerings, visit www.speechanddebate.org/nationals.

SAPPHIRE LEVEL

RICHARD BITNER

JAMES M. COPELAND

TOM AND VICKI ROLLINS

EMERALD LEVEL

A. C. ELEY FUND CARMENDALE FERNANDES FUND THE JEPS FOUNDATION VICTOR JIH ADAM AND ASHLEY JOHNSON HAROLD C. KELLER FUND

MCCARTHEY FAMILY FOUNDATION HARLAND B. MITCHELL FUND LANNY D. AND B. J. NAEGELIN FUND DONUS AND LOVILA ROBERTS SANDRA SILVERS FUND – 19 –

RICHARD B. SODIKOW FUND BOB AND SALLI STOCKTON WILLIAM WOODS TATE, JR., FUND TINA WANG FUND JOE AND PAM WYCOFF

Mission

The National Speech & Debate Association connects, supports, and inspires a diverse community committed to empowering students through speech and debate.

Vision

We envision a world in which every school provides speech and debate programs to foster each student’s communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative skills.

www.speechanddebate.org

CONNECT. SUPPORT. INSPIRE.

@ speechanddebate #WeAreSpeechAndDebate #Nats20 speechanddebate speechanddebate www.linkedin.com/company/nationalspeech-and-debate-association