Students

Why Should I Do Speech & Debate? 

Speech and debate help you to develop skills you’ll use for the rest of your life. 

Many students who compete in speech and debate say they do it for the community, to overcome their fears of public speaking, or to develop and use their own unique voice. Students who compete in speech and debate are more likely to attend a four-year college and will join the ranks of the likes of Justice Ketanji Jackson Brown, Josh Gad, Jordan Peele, Stacey Abrams, Zac Efron, and more.  

Getting Started

How do you find a performance piece, write a speech, practice for tournaments, or find a debate partner? Get answers with NSDA’s Getting Started series of videos to begin your journey. Ask your coach or sponsor about NSDA membership to ensure you have access to all the benefits, including earning honor society points when you compete.

Have a question or need help starting a team in your Richmond region school? Connect with us at students@richmondforum.org. 

Choosing an Event

Whether you are interested in performance, writing speeches, or debating current events and ethics, there’s a speech or debate event for everyone.

Speech Events

Often referred to as forensics, speech events range from the interpretation of published works to self-written speeches for a platform. Some are memorized, while others have limited preparation before or during the competition round.

This document describes speech events typically offered at RFSDI tournaments. Please refer to the National Speech and Debate Association Manual and the Virginia High School League Resources Guide for official rules.

Debate Events

There are four main debate events, ranging from single debaters and two-person teams to a congressional-style event with numerous participants competing as representatives. Debate topics change throughout the year, so if you are interested in researching and arguing points in relation to current events, politics, and ethics, debate may be for you.

This document describes debate events typically offered at RFSDI tournaments. Please refer to the National Speech and Debate Association Manual and the Virginia High School League Resources Guide for official rules.

Tournament Schedule

RFSDI partners with local schools to run a tournament circuit for middle school and high school students, featuring five to six invitational tournaments per year. We have also partnered with Colonial Williamsburg to host the Revolutionary Rhetoric tournament in the fall and with the National Speech and Debate Association to host the national championship tournament in the summer of 2026. 

Belonging & INclusion

We are committed to upholding a community space and tournament environment where everyone feels heard, safe, and included. Our circuit uses the principles and guidelines of the NSDA Belonging and Inclusion Station, staffing advocates at each tournament. Click the link above to learn more.