We're committed to helping students and coaches access the best & most timely resources to improve their speech & debate strategy! We plan to bring you frequent blog posts highlighting the most effective performances and practices we've seen in recent tournaments and competitions.

Participation in speech and debate isn’t just about trophies - it can boost your academics, sharpen your communication skills, and even strengthen your college applications.

If you’re passionate about speech & debate and are considering continuing your career in college, here are some quick, practical tips to help you get started - whether you’re about to start working on college applications or are preparing for your first ever tournament.

1. Research Schools with Speech & Debate Programs

Start by looking at colleges that align with your academic interests. Once you have a list, check whether those schools have active speech & debate teams.

Many U.S. universities offer a variety of formats, including:

• Policy Debate

• Lincoln-Douglas Debate

• Parliamentary Debate

• Individual Speech Events

Look for programs that highlight their commitment to forensics to improve your chances of finding a team and community that works for you! 

2. Reach Out to Coaches

Don’t be shy! College coaches want to hear from students interested in their programs. You don’t need to be a TOC winner to be a recruit. Coaches often look for:

• Strong work ethic

• Passion for learning

• Potential for growth

Emailing a coach to learn more about a program shows initiative and can open the door to scholarship opportunities or admissions support.

3. Connect with Current Students

Talking to team members can give you insight that websites and brochures can't. Ask about team culture, time commitments, balancing school and competition, and differences between high school and college competition. These conversations can help you figure out where you'll thrive as both a student and competitor.

4. Highlight Debate in Your Application

Debate teaches skills that colleges want their applicants to have including:

• Research and writing

• Critical thinking

• Public speaking

• Leadership

Use your personal statement or extracurricular section to explain how participation in speech & debate has shaped your identity, your academics, and your goals. Admissions officers often look at how an applicant would fit in the broader university community, so showing an openness and willingness to learn and communicate is a valuable way to demonstrate your fit!

5. Start Early

The earlier you start exploring, the more options you’ll have. Building relationships with coaches and programs early can give you an edge later in the process. Even if college feels far away, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your future.

Participating in speech & debate in college can be an exciting extension of your high school experience as well as a powerful way to grow personally and professionally. Even if you decide not to compete for all four years, I highly encourage giving it a chance!

WSDC 2025 in Panama City has come to a close after nearly two weeks of fierce competition between nearly 60 delegations from around the world! Congratulations to Team India for winning the tournament!

I was fortunate enough to attend the 2025 WSDC as a judge for Team USA. Throughout my time judging and watching debates, I picked up on a few key practices and processes that set the best competitors apart. I hope these takeaways are useful to you!

1. Effective Speech Organization: 

Effective and structured speeches were the hallmark of the top speakers at the 2025 WSDC. Rather than using the speech time to openly talk about the topic, the best speakers structured their speech with numbering and sub-pointing, explaining where in the debate they were referring to and keeping the debates organized and easy to flow. Even if you make all the right arguments, disorganization impacts the ability of judges to receive round winning information. Focusing on effective structuring and a logical flow ensures that judges and audience members pick up on the core of your argument.

2. Thoughtfully Answering POI’s: 

Debaters responses to POI’s can either bolster their case or doom their arguments. Given the pressure associated, it can be tempting for debaters to rush to answer the question. The best debaters at WSDC thought through the POI’s and their responses before answering. Taking an extra second to ensure the response is well formatted is better than rushing into an answer that undermines your case, so don’t allow the pressure of the moment get to you!

3. Confident Delivery & Non-Verbal Communication: 

Throughout the debate, it is important to maintain confidence and comfortability. Debaters that seemed disengaged or defeated during the debate were more likely to lose, even if they were still very much in the game. Whether you’re giving the reply speech, walking back to the bench, or asking a POI, it’s important to always act like you’re ahead! Confidence is key - especially in close debates!

4. Direct Argument Engagement: 

Although many debaters implicitly address their opponents arguments by forwarding their own, the lack of direct clash can make argument evaluation difficult for judges. The best debaters I saw at the 2025 WSDC directly engaged with their arguments through pointed refutation. Talented debaters would emulate the format of “Our opponents say x, but y”, which allowed for more clear clash and better argument development throughout the debate. Don’t just assume your judges know the relevance of arguments you’re making - clearly apply them throughout your speeches!

5. Be Realistic: 

You’re probably not winning 100% of every argument across the flow. Being realistic about this can really help your case by showing your awareness with the context of the debate. You don’t need to win 100% of every argument to win the debate - just more than what your opponents win! Making comparative “even if” statements and qualifying your statements to show your understanding can help judges write their decisions in your favor.

WSDC 2025 in Panama City truly showcased the best and brightest debate talents from around the world. By implementing these five practices in your own debating, you can rise above the competition no matter what event or league you participate in!