Attire:
Business/business casual. This typically includes a dress shirt and/or a blazer, formal pants or a skirt, and dress shoes (heels, flats, loafers, etc). Dresses are acceptable but not common.
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To bring:
Water, phone, charger, comfy shoes for the bus ride (if needed), bibliography (if needed), manuscripts (if you want to practice) snacks/lunch (if needed), money (if needed), and any homework (if you want).
Water is extremely important to bring! You will be speaking a lot!
During Competitions:
You will either be entered on Tabroom or Speechwire for the competition.
From here you can access round locations, speaker codes, speaker order, and eballots (you will get judge feedback after the competition).
Round locations are typically released 15 minutes before the round starts.
Make sure you know where and when your round starts. Try to arrive 5 minutes before start time.
When you get to your round (which will most likely be in a classroom) write your last name, speaker code, and speech title (if applicable) on the board.
Example: Smith, 1234, “Title”
If you need to include content warnings, also include them on the board.
The judge will call your speaker code when it’s time for you to present.
If you need time signals, let your judge know before you present.
Example (for a 10 minutes max speech): 1 down (the judge will hold up 1 finger at 9 minutes in and a fist at 10 minutes)
Your round will typically have 4-6 other speakers and at least 1 judge, depending on the round and competition (elimination rounds typically have more judges present).
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After Competitions:
You can access your eballots (which will show rankings and judge comments) on either Tabroom or Speechwire (depending on the competition).
Your points from competitions will go automatically into your NSDA account where you can access them at any time.
Other info:
If you bring your phone to a round (whether you’re competing or spectating) make sure it is on silent and you do not use it for the duration of the round.
If you need to leave the round for any reason, do NOT reopen the door while another speaker is presenting. Wait until they’ve finished, and then you can go in.
Rounds typically last around an hour, depending on how many competitors there are.
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Attire:
Business/business casual. For boys, this typically includes a suit/dress shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes. For girls, this typically includes dresses, a dress shirt/blazer, or suits.
To bring:
Water, phone, computer/computer charger, flow paper/pens, snacks/lunch (if needed), money (optional),
Water is extremely important to bring! You will be speaking a lot!
During Competitions:
You will either be entered on Tabroom or Speechwire for the competition.
On either website, you can access pairings, coin flips, round locations, ballots, and speaker points.
Pairings and round locations are typically released 30 minutes before the round starts.
You should be paying attention to the side/coin flip so that you can make your decision on time. If you miss the deadline to choose, the choice will be given to your opponents.
You should try to arrive to your round 10 minutes before the official start time.
When you get to your round, you may or may not have to wait for your judge/opponent to arrive. You should be preflowed (if applicable) and have your materials ready.
You should expect there to be your opponents, at least 1 judge, and possibly observers in the room, depending on the round and competition (elimination rounds will have a panel of judges present).
After Competitions:
You can access your eballots (which will show win/loss, speaker points, and judge comments/RFD) on either Tabroom or Speechwire.
Your points from competitions will go automatically into your NSDA account where you can access them at any time.
Other info:
If you bring your phone to a round (whether you’re competing or spectating) make sure it is on silent and you do not use it for the duration of the round.
You should not expect judges to be keeping prep time for you. Make sure you keep track of your prep time and your opponents'.
Most judges will not disclose their decision after the round. If you qualify to eliminations, you will receive an email or notification letting you know.
Rounds typically last around 45 minutes to an hour.