Virtually the Saints Classic
2021 — NSDA Campus, MS/US
Public Forum Debate
Abbreviation
VPFD
Format
Debate
Topic:
NSDA PF Jan
Resolved: The National Security Agency should end its surveillance of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Entry Fee
$12.00
Overall Entry Limit
48
Entry Limit Per School
6
Entry
2 competitors per entry
Event Description:
RESOLVED: The National Security Agency should end its surveillance of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE (OPEN DIVISION)
- Unlike many Mississippi tournaments, the Saints Classic only utilizes a coin flip in Public Forum Debate in elimination rounds when teams have not previously met, and only then to determine sides. Pro/Aff will always speak first.
- The debate will follow the 4-4-3-4-4-3-3-4-3-2-2 format. Each team is allotted 3 minutes of prep time for each round. In cases where evidence is asked for, prep time should not begin until the team requesting the evidence has it in their possession.
- Five preliminary rounds, with two preset rounds. Rounds 3-5, as much as possible, will be paired high-low in brackets, respecting side constraints when necessary.
- Our intent is to break all teams who earn a record of at least 4-1. Brackets will not be reseeded to avoid debaters from the same school being paired in elimination rounds.
- The Saints Classic is one of the few Mississippi tournaments that allows for disclosure and oral critique (judge option) in debate, as long as it does not interfere with the timeline of the tournament. Debaters are admonished that such time is for listening and asking respectful questions, and not for rearguing the debate. Debaters or coaches who fail to behave themselves accordingly may be sanctioned by the tournament at the discretion of the tournament officials.
- We will provide awards for the top novice teams. In Mississippi, a student is a novice only if they are in their first year of competition against high school students -- e.g. a freshman who competed in their 7th and 8th grade years exclusive against other middle school students would retain novice status for competition in our state. A novice team means that both debaters are in their novice year.
- Laptop computers and tablet devices may be used by delegates, but may not be used to receive information for competitive advantage from non-competitors (coaches, assistant coaches, teammates, other students, etc.) inside or outside of the room in which the competition occurs.