In this 2v2 event, teams affirm or negate a year-long US policy resolution.

This evidence-based event hones strong research skills and careful analysis. Creative and critical arguments are welcome in CX.

This 2v2 event changes resolutions every two months.

While also evidence-based, PF rounds are shorter than CX rounds and prioritize accessibility to lay judges.

Each WSD round is 3v3, but teams can have up to 5 members. Style and strategy are judged alongside argumentation.

Motions change each round. Motions may be “prepared”, allowing for research before the tournament, or “impromptu”, with limited prep.

Debate en Español is SVUDL’s newest debate event, targeted at native and heritage Spanish speakers!!

Resolutions change yearly and may relate to global policy issues. Round format is most analogous to an abbreviated Policy round. Competitors debate and receive feedback entirely in Spanish.

In Impromptu Speech, competitors are given a prompt or a choice of prompts. After two minutes of preparation, they must deliver a speech up to five minutes long.

Impromptu Speech tests a student’s ability to improvise an organized, coherent, and engaging speech.

In Original Oratory, competitors deliver a pre-written speech on a topic of their choosing. Topics may explore personal values, or they can investigate and advocate for a solution to a particular societal problem.

Students research and write speeches with appeals to evidence, logic, and emotion to convey a message.

In SVUDL’s Async. Public Speaking division, any student may prepare and record three speeches on their own time in response to provided prompts.

Students are asked to analyze prompts in relation to existential or social issues.