Trojan Way Tournament March

2026 — NSDA Campus, IA/US

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Platform Speaking

Event Description:

Rules from the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) for Middle School Original Oratory (OO)

Original Oratory is a 10-minute event with a 30-second “grace period.” Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st. There is no other prescribed penalty for going over the grace period. No minimum time is mandated.Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory (OO) competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely and may be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered with no props. No costumes may be used.

Rules from the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) for Middle School Informative Speaking (INFO)

Students deliver a self-written, 10-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Informative Speaking competitors craft a speech using evidence, logic, and optional visual aids. All topics must be informative; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. The speech is delivered from memory.

Rules from the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) for Declamation (DEC)

Declamation (DEC)requires students to select a speech that was delivered in public and perform an excerpt of that speech to an audience. Speeches are up to 10 minutes in length. As a result, students typically shorten the text of the speech to meet time requirements. The event is not designed for students to mimic the original author of the speech. Instead, speakers are to develop an oration that delivers the message of the author originally and engagingly.