Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see examples of NCFCA speech and debate?

NCFCA's YouTube channel has lots of great content, including examples of each competitive event from national champions. We also encourage you to sign up to judge at online tournaments in the spring semester.

How much time will we need to devote to speech and debate during the week?

Like many things in life, you often get what you put in! Your workload will depend on which events you participate in and how competitive you wish to be in those events. This is an academic endeavor, and time should be regularly reserved to research, write, and practice. Time must also be reserved for tournaments, which are typically 3 full days. Families involved in other time-consuming extracurricular activities should seriously consider their margins and priorities before joining club.

Can my student compete in more than 1 style of debate?

Students will need to choose between Lincoln-Douglas (Value) or Team Policy debate because these run concurrently during tournaments. Currently, our club only offers Lincoln-Douglas. 

Which style of debate is better for my student?

Lincoln-Douglas is a good fit for abstract thinkers who like to debate the philosophical value of ideas affecting society. Team Policy is a good fit for concrete thinkers who like to debate the practical application of ideas in political issues.

While both styles of debate will require research and writing, be prepared for a higher workload in Team Policy. Team Policy rounds are twice as long, but speaking time is shared with a partner, unlike the 1:1 debate in Lincoln-Douglas. Debaters should consider the benefits and challenges of working with a partner before deciding.

As an example, if the resolutions were regarding immigration, Team Policy students would affirm or negate specific immigration policies, while Lincoln-Douglas competitors might debate whether immigration is a human right.

Can my student compete in more than 1 speech event?

Yes! Students are able to compete in up to 5 speech events per tournament. Before they graduate, we encourage students to try at least one speech from each category: platform, interpretation, and limited preparation.

Are students able to participate in speech or debate only, or must they do both?

Students may participate and compete in either speech or debate alone, but we highly encourage both! At a minimum, we recommend debaters compete in impromptu speech. Since debate consists of both prepared (i.e., constructive) and limited preparation (i.e., rebuttal) speeches, impromptu provides additional practice in thinking quickly on your feet!

My student is only doing speech/debate. Do we get a discount on membership dues?

While your family is welcome to only do one or the other, our membership dues are for joining the club and do not change based on your level of participation. We want to encourage families to take full advantage of the opportunities at Oaks and not limit themselves due to cost.

Why are parents required to stay during club meetings?

Parental involvement is vital to our program! We want to equip students and parents. Our students depend upon your feedback in club meetings in order to benefit from regular practice in speech and debate. Parents are far better prepared to help their students, to provide valuable feedback, and to confidently judge at tournaments when they participate in club discussions.

Is there a dress code at Oaks SDC?

What you wear is part of what you are communicating to others, as well as to yourself. Because delivery is an essential aspect of speech and debate, parents and students will observe a modest business casual dress code at club meetings (i.e., for boys, khakis or dress pants with a dress shirt or polo shirt; for girls, skirts to mid-knee or dress pants with a blouse. No jeans, shorts, t-shirts, or foam flip-flops).

How long do tournaments last?

Tournaments are typically 3-4 days in length, with each day of competition running about 12 hours long. Rounds alternate between debate and speech. There are 6 preliminary rounds of debate and 3 preliminary rounds of speech (divided into 2 alternating "patterns" of 5 speech events each) before elimination rounds begin. Qualifying tournament season runs December-April. In the 2025 season, there were 11 qualifying opportunities, including 3 online tournaments. Oaks members are required to commit to participating in at least 1 qualifying tournament per year.

What is a qualifying tournament?

A qualifying tournament is one in which students may qualify for their Regional Championship by making it to elimination rounds in speech or debate. Marathons (i.e., practice tournaments) and third-party tournaments (e.g., Ziggy) provide helpful practice, but students cannot qualify for the Regional Championship by their participation in these events.

How far might I have to travel for a tournament?

If the tournament is online, you may not have to leave your home! In 2025, in-person tournaments "nearby" were held in Montgomery, Asheville, Baton Rouge, Memphis, and Knoxville. The 2025 National Championship will be held at University of Northwestern, St. Paul in Minnesota in June.

How do I become a member of Oaks SDC?

Visit our membership page and carefully read through the membership requirements and the 3 positional statements. If you agree, then follow the links to pay the appropriate membership fee and complete the registration form. If you have questions, please contact us.