Rules and Times

Rules

Individual tournament hosts have the final say on the operation of their tournaments. They select topics, judging requirements, and may even adjust the format of debates. We encourage tournament hosts to communicate clearly in their invitations. While not officially incorporated into the UDCA, you may also find guidance on more technical issues by consulting the NSDA

Elementary and Middle School Events Rules/Times

Middle School Policy

Middle School Policy (CX) Speech Times

First Affirmative Constructive (1AC) - 5 min
Cross-Examination (CX) - 2 min
First Negative Constructive (1NC) - 5 min
Cross-Examination (CX) - 2 min
Second Affirmative Constructive (2AC) - 5 min
Cross-Examination (CX) - 2 min
Second Negative Constructive (2NC) - 5 min
Cross-Examination (CX) - 2 min
First Negative Rebuttal (1NR) - 3 min
First Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) - 3 min
Second Negative Rebuttal (2NR) - 3 min
Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) - 3 min

3 minutes of prep per team to use as they like.

Middle School LD
Affirmative Constructive - 4 min
CX - 2 min
Negative Constructive - 5 min
CX - 2 min
First Affirmative Rebuttal - 2 min
Negative Rebuttal - 3 min
Second Affirmative Rebuttal - 2 min

3 minutes of prep per student to use as they like.

Elementary School PF
First Pro Speaker (Case) - 3 min
First Con Speaker (Case) - 3 min
Second Pro Speaker (Response) - 3 min
Second Con Speaker (Response) - 3 min
First Con Speaker (Summary) - 2 min
First Pro Speaker (Summary) - 2 min
Second Con Speaker (Final Focus) - 2 min
Second Pro Speaker (Final Focus) - 2 min

2 minutes of prep per team to use as they like.

Speech Events

Original Oratory (OO)

Original oratory would be a 6-8 minute memorized speech for middle school and a 4-minute memorized speech for elementary of original content that is intended to persuade (i.e., you should recycle more).

 

Informative Speaking (IS)

 

Informative speaking for elementary is a 4-minute memorized speech for elementary of original content that is intended to inform (i.e., this is what happens during the recycling process).
 
 

Extemporaneous Speaking (EX)

Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called “extemp,” is a speech on current events with limited preparation time and is currently only offered in middle school. Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to national and international current events. The student has 20 minutes to prepare a 4-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation.