What is a novice?

Novice:

SPECIAL NOVICE NOTES

Definition of a Novice: In all events except for Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate, we consider a novice to be a student who has not competed in high school National Forensic League competition prior to the 2020-21 school year. Students who participated in middle school speech, summer speech camps, mock trial, Youth-in-Government, children's theater, or any other activities not connected to high school forensics may be considered novices. Both members of a duo or public forum team must be novices in order to be considered a true novice team.

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate: Any student may participate in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate unless he or she competed in Lincoln Douglas debate in a previous contest year.

Student Judges: If needed, varsity Riverside students with the degree of distinction or higher will used to judge some novice reading or debate rounds. Student judges will not be used in rounds that combine novice and varsity students or in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate rounds. This option will be considered only if participating schools do not meet their judge burdens.

Novice Awards: We may combine novice and varsity events due to low entries in a category. However, top novices will still receive medals at the awards ceremony.