FAQ

Q: Why should I join the speech and debate team?

A: Performing in speech events or participating in debate is fun!  You’ll get to know students from Walpole and many other high schools.  In speech events, you’ll compete with other actors. You will also conquer fears of public speaking and improve your skills!  In debate, you’ll dig into real-world issues and try to persuade a judge that your perspective is better than your opponent’s.  And, while you’re doing that, you’ll also be building skills that will be valuable to you throughout your academic and professional careers—how to speak comfortably in front of an audience, think on your feet, conduct research and cite sources, talk about difficult topics, write logical arguments that are well-supported by evidence, understand the perspectives of those with whom you do not agree, and argue persuasively for your position.

Q:  How do I join the speech and debate team?

A:  Just email Mrs. Murray at emurray@walpole.k12.ma.us, and you'll be invited to attend our meetings.  You can join at any point during the season--don't worry, we'll catch you up!

Q: I’m not great at public speaking or even sure I’m comfortable doing it.  Can I still join?

A: Yes!  Joining the team is a great way to develop your skills and gain confidence with help from the coaches and your fellow teammates.

Q: When does the team compete?

A: The speech team competes from October through April.  The debate team competes from October through March. Tournaments are usually on Saturdays from about 7am to 8pm (including travel time), but there are a few two-day tournaments as well. 

Q: What is a novice?

A: A novice in debate is a person who is competing for the very first time or who competed in no more than two debate tournaments in a previous year.   Novice status lasts for one school year. During that time, novice debaters compete only against other novices at most tournaments.  Novices in speech compete against both varsity and novice competitors, but special recognition is usually offered for the top novice in each event.

Q: What types of events does WHS compete in?

A: It is recommended that speech students start off in a reading event (binder event), but students can try other memorized or limited prep events.  All debaters begin competing in Lincoln-Douglas debate (also called “values debate”), a one vs. one event that focuses on determining what the right thing to do is, not the most feasible thing.  Experienced debaters have the option to compete with a partner in Public Forum debate, which is a two vs. two event.

Q: What are the topics of the debates?

A: Lincoln-Douglas debate topics change every two months.  The initial topic for novice debaters each year is “Resolved: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.”  Past debate resolutions have touched on:

• Constitutional rights (freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to own handguns)

• criminal justice (plea bargaining, penalties for drug offenses, qualified immunity for police officers, jury nullification)

• international relations (military aid to authoritarian regimes, drone strikes, refugees and immigration, democracy in the Middle East, and support for developing nations)

• other areas (universal basic income, housing as a right, ending nuclear power, implementing mandatory national service)

For the current Lincoln-Douglas debate topic, click here.

Q: Do I get to pick which side I want to be on when I debate?

A: No.  All debaters are required to argue in favor of and against each resolution at every tournament.

Q: What preparation is required to compete in a tournament?

A: in most events, speech members need to find and cut a piece, memorize an introduction, and practice their piece with Mrs. Murray, other varsity members, and at home for friends and family.  Some events require just practicing from limited prep materials, which Mrs. Murray can create (example- materials for Radio Broadcasting and Impromptu). The more you practice for a speech event results in the greater chance of making it to a final round.  

Debate members work together to brainstorm arguments and research the topic, sharing evidence they find with each other. Then each debater writes one six-minute speech in support of the resolution and one three-minute speech against it. Debaters must submit their speeches to the coach for review one week in advance of the tournament.  The team also works together to create cross-examination questions and draft responses to opponents’ possible arguments. Debaters should practice reading their speeches out loud to ensure they fit within the time limits, and, whenever possible, team members debate each other in advance of a tournament.

Q: How successful is the Walpole High Speech and Debate team?

A: Every year we have many team members who qualify for the Massachusetts State tournament.  The team has also been represented at national tournaments in the past years.  

Q: Can I compete in both speech and debate?

A: Absolutely!  Because of the large number of Massachusetts high school students competing, speech and debate tournaments often must be held separately and usually on different dates.  There are a few joint speech and debate tournaments each season; at those, you will have to choose to compete in either speech or debate.  

Q: Who coaches the team?

A: Emily Murray, WHS English teacher, is the head coach of the speech & debate team. She competed in speech in high school and attended the state tournament all four years of her high school career.  She also competed at the NCFL three times and placed 20th in the nation in the event of Dramatic Interpretation (which is called Dramatic Performance today).  

Q: Who are the student leaders of the Speech and Debate team?

A: The executive board is comprised of the following students:

Speech President: Nirjara Akkole

Debate President: Sarah Mukkuzhi

Speech Vice-President: Bhakti Belle

Debate Vice-President: Aaron Levenson

Secretary: Kaylee Ebb

Event Planners: Emeli Cruz and Shayna Jain 

Members at Large: Amritha Devaraj and Favor Nyende