The National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament is a big event that typically takes place mid-June. This year’s competition just came to a close on June 16. During the event, 6,000 students from all over the country prepare and present their arguments in a structured process that requires considerable time and effort. For students looking at business, law, communications, or any field that benefits from having a persuasive-speaking skill set, debates offer a great platform to show that you can research and present information effectively in a competitive setting. If this is something you would like to consider for next year, start early. We’ve made a very relaxed action plan to give you an idea of how to build up your debate skills over the next year 

July-September

1. Familiarize yourself with the rules: Study the official rules and guidelines of the tournament. Understand the different speech and debate categories and their requirements.

2. Explore categories: Take the time to explore different categories and identify ones that align with your interests, strengths, and previous experience. Research sample performances and evaluate which category suits you best.

3. Join a speech and debate club: Join a local speech and debate club or team to gain regular practice and guidance from experienced coaches and fellow competitors. Familiarize yourself with the team's activities and tournament schedule.

4. Begin researching and gathering materials: Start researching potential speech or debate topics of interest. Collect relevant sources, books, articles, and other materials that can support your arguments and enhance your understanding of the chosen topic.

5. Develop skills: Focus on developing essential skills for speech and debate, such as effective public speaking, argumentation, research, critical thinking, and organization. Take advantage of workshops, seminars, or online courses to enhance these skills.

October-December

1. Craft your speech or debate argument: Begin outlining and drafting your speech or debate argument. Pay attention to structuring your content, incorporating evidence, and using persuasive techniques. Seek feedback from coaches or mentors during this process.

2. Practice regularly: Dedicate time to regular practice sessions. Work on your delivery, timing, and nonverbal communication skills. Consider recording yourself and reviewing the recordings to identify areas for improvement.

3. Participate in local tournaments: Take part in local speech and debate tournaments to gain experience and exposure to different competitors and judging styles. Use these opportunities to receive feedback and refine your performance.

4. Refine arguments and research: Continuously refine and strengthen your arguments based on feedback received during tournaments and practice sessions. Deepen your research and incorporate more compelling evidence or examples.

5. Attend speech and debate camps: Consider attending speech and debate camps or workshops offered by reputable organizations or universities. These intensive programs provide valuable training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

January-March

1. Compete in regional tournaments: Participate in regional-level speech and debate tournaments to challenge yourself and gain exposure to a wider range of competitors. Use these events as opportunities to improve your performance and gain recognition.

2. Seek expert guidance: Consult experienced speech and debate coaches or teachers for personalized feedback and guidance. They can provide valuable insights to enhance your performance and help you refine your arguments and delivery.

3. Collaborate with peers: Engage in practice sessions, roundtables, or collaborations with other dedicated speech and debate students. Share feedback, exchange ideas, and learn from one another's experiences and perspectives.

4. Develop a Tournament Strategy: Analyze your strengths and weaknesses, and strategize for the national tournament. Determine the areas you need to focus on and create a plan to maximize your chances of success.

April-June

1. Intensify practice: Dedicate more time to focused and intensive practice sessions. Work on perfecting your delivery, polishing your arguments, and refining your stage presence. Continuously seek feedback and make necessary adjustments.

2. Participate in invitational tournaments: Compete in invitational tournaments featuring top-level competitors. These events will expose you to challenging competition and provide valuable feedback to help you further improve your performance.

3. Finalize your Speech or debate: Polish and finalize your speech or debate performance. Make any necessary revisions based on feedback received during practice sessions and previous tournaments. Memorize your performance and perfect your timing.

4. Mental and physical preparation: Focus on mental and physical well-being as the tournament approaches. Practice relaxation techniques, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and ensure you are well-rested and mentally prepared for the competition.

5. Review and rehearse: Dedicate the last few weeks to comprehensive review and intense rehearsal. Run through your speech or debate performance multiple times, focusing on smooth delivery, confidence, and maintaining engagement with the audience.

For students who prefer to do their work on a tighter timeline, you can rework a lot of what’s above to make it more compact and intensive. But don’t forget, you’ll still need to know what the requirements are and how the tournament works to do so. If you feel like this is something you might be interested in, check out the website for some of the baseline requirements and then alter the plan above to make it work for you.