Public Speaking & Debate · Free Resources
Debate Resources,
Free for Every Family.
Tournament calendars, guides and drills we use with our own students, published here at no cost so any debater can plan the season, prepare properly, and walk into the round ready.
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Free Resources
New · Updated weekly
The Tournament
Calendar.
Calendar.
Scholar Coach · Tabroom.com · Oct 16–25, 2026
Scholar Coach Tournament Calendar
Every tournament posted on Tabroom.com this week: all 134 entries with dates, location and registration deadlines, in one Scholar Coach PDF.
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Policy Debate
Starter Kit.
Starter Kit.
Round map · Stock issues · Big 6 · Flow sheet
Policy Debate Starter Kit
The round speech by speech, the five stock issues, the six negative options, how to build and answer an argument, a readiness checklist and a printable flow sheet.
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Cross-Examination
Drill Sheet.
Drill Sheet.
7 rules · 3 drills · Question bank · Rubric
Cross-Examination Drill Sheet
Seven rules of questioning, three timed drills a parent can run at home, question types that win rounds, a fill-in question bank and a 45-point scoring rubric.
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More Free Debate & Speech Resources
Eighty free guides, drills and checklists across every major event. Pick your event to see its guides, then download what you need. No sign-up.
Policy Debate (CX): free downloads
10 guidesPDF
How a Policy Round Works, Speech by SpeechFor new debaters and parents watching their first round.
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Stock Issues and the Five-Minute ExplainerA plain-language tour of the classic stock issues that structure every policy round.
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The Beginner's Guide to FlowingFlowing is the note-taking system debaters use to track every argument.
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Building an Affirmative CaseStep-by-step instructions for writing a first affirmative case, with a fill-in template and a…
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The Negative ToolboxDisadvantages, counterplans, topicality and kritiks in plain English.
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Cross-Examination: 12 DrillsTwelve short drills for students and parents to practice at home.
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Research and Evidence: Find, Cut and Cite CardsHow to find good sources, turn them into debate evidence called cards, and cite them honestly.
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Rebuttals and Voters: How to Win the BallotThe last speeches decide rounds.
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Judges, Ballots and a Tournament-Day ChecklistUnderstand the different kinds of judges, what ballots usually include, and how parents can…
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Policy Glossary and a 12-Week Novice PlanForty terms explained simply, followed by a week-by-week practice plan for a new debater.
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Public Forum (PF): free downloads
10 guidesPDF
How a Public Forum Round WorksFor first-time PF debaters and their parents.
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Writing a PF Constructive: Contentions, Warrants, ImpactsA step-by-step template for building a four-minute case from scratch.
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Public Forum Crossfire: 12 DrillsCrossfire is where debaters sound sharp or lost.
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PF Rebuttal and Summary: Line-by-Line, Weighing, CollapsingThe middle of a PF round is where rounds are won.
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Final Focus Script and Ballot-Writing WordsThe final focus is a two-minute closing argument.
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Weighing in PF: Magnitude, Probability, Timeframe, ScopeWhen both teams have good arguments, the judge needs a reason to prefer one.
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PF Evidence: Finding, Cutting, CitingGood evidence wins rounds and honest evidence protects your reputation.
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Flowing PF: Shorthand and LayoutFlowing is note-taking built for debate.
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Judge Adaptation and the Tournament-Day Parent ChecklistDifferent judges want different things.
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PF Glossary and a 10-Week Practice PlanMore than forty beginner terms in plain English, followed by a week-by-week plan a student can…
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Lincoln-Douglas (LD): free downloads
10 guidesPDF
How an LD Round Works: Speech Order and TimesFor new LD debaters and their parents.
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Values and Criteria in LD: Worked ExamplesFor students who keep hearing 'value' and 'value criterion' and want a clear, usable…
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Writing an LD Affirmative Case: A TemplateA step-by-step build for a six-minute Affirmative Constructive: framework, two contentions…
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Negative Case and Refutation: Winning the NCThe Negative speaks seven minutes with no idea what the Affirmative will say.
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LD Philosophy Primer: Plain-Language IdeasA beginner's tour of the ideas that show up most often in LD frameworks.
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LD Cross-Examination: Question Types and DrillsThree minutes of cross-ex can set up your whole next speech.
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LD Rebuttals and Voting Issues: Structuring the Last SpeechesRounds are won in the 1AR, NR and 2AR.
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Flowing an LD Round: Shorthand and LayoutFlowing is note-taking built for debate.
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LD Research, Ethics and Tournament DayHow to find the current topic, research responsibly, cite honestly, adapt to your judge, and…
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LD Glossary and 10-Week Practice PlanForty-plus LD terms in plain language, followed by a ten-week plan that takes a new debater…
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Congressional Debate (CD): free downloads
10 guidesPDF
How a Congressional Debate Session WorksFor new Congress students and their parents.
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Parliamentary Procedure Cheat SheetA one-stop reference for motions, points and amendments in Congress.
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Writing Legislation for a Tournament: Template and ChecklistFor students who want to submit a bill or resolution.
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The Authorship and Sponsorship Speech: Structure and ScriptFor students giving the first speech on a piece of legislation.
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Later Speeches in Congress: Refutation and New ArgumentsFor students past the first speech.
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Congressional Questioning: 12 DrillsFor students and parents practicing at home.
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The Presiding Officer Guide: Script, Scoring and TipsFor students thinking about running for PO, and for parents who want to understand the role.
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How Congress Judges Score: What Moves a Speaker UpFor students and parents who want to understand results.
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Researching Bills and Tournament Day ChecklistFor Congress students and their parents.
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Congress Glossary and a 10-Week Practice PlanFor beginners and parents.
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
World Schools & Big Questions: free downloads
10 guidesPDF
World Schools Debate Format ExplainedFor students and parents meeting World Schools for the first time.
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Big Questions Debate: What Makes It DifferentA guide for students and parents to the NSDA Big Questions format: how a round runs, how it…
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Building a World Schools Case: Definition, Model and SplitA step-by-step template for Proposition and Opposition teams: how to define the motion, decide…
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Points of Information: Offering, Accepting and DrillsPoints of Information are what make World Schools feel like a live conversation.
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Reply Speeches and How World Schools Is JudgedLearn what a reply speech is for, how to write one in four minutes, and how judges score…
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Impromptu Motion Prep: A 30 and 60 Minute WorkflowWhen a motion is announced and the clock starts, teams need a routine.
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Motion Types and How to Analyze ThemFour common kinds of motion, how to recognise each, and a quick analysis routine with…
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Persuasive Style and Delivery for World SchoolsStyle is worth 40 percent of a World Schools speaker's score.
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Parent and Student Guide to World Schools and Big Questions TournamentsWhat to expect, what to pack and how to support your debater at a World Schools or Big…
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Beginner Glossary and a 10-Week Practice PlanSixteen terms every new World Schools and Big Questions debater should know, followed by a…
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Extemp & Impromptu: free downloads
10 guidesPDF
Extemporaneous Speaking Explained: The Event From Draw to BallotFor families new to speech and debate.
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The Seven-Minute Extemp Speech: Structure and TemplateA reusable blueprint for a 7-minute extemp speech, with a timing table and fill-in template.
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Build Your Extemp Files: A Daily Reading SystemHow to collect, organize, and refresh the articles you bring to a tournament, plus a simple…
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The 30-Minute Prep Workflow: Minute by MinuteA printable schedule for the half hour between the draw and the speech.
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Citing Sources Aloud and Adding Analysis: 20 Sentence StartersJudges reward speakers who sound credible and think for themselves.
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Extemp Delivery: Voice, Gestures, and Going Without NotesGreat content falls flat if the delivery is rushed or stiff.
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Impromptu Speaking Explained: Formats and Structure TemplatesImpromptu gives you a prompt and almost no time.
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15 Impromptu Practice Prompts: And How to Attack EachFifteen school-appropriate prompts with a suggested template and angle for each, plus a…
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Extemp Debate Explained: Plus a Tournament-Day Parent ChecklistExtemp Debate blends quick thinking with one-on-one argument.
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Extemp and Impromptu: Glossary and 10-Week Practice PlanLearn the vocabulary, then follow a simple weekly plan that builds a beginner into a confident…
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Interpretation Events: free downloads
10 guidesPDF
Interpretation Events Side by SideFor students and parents deciding which performance event to try.
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Choosing and Cutting Your PieceFor performers and parents starting a new piece.
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Dramatic Interpretation: Arc, Character and Emotional RangeFor students performing Dramatic Interpretation (DI) and the parents supporting them.
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Humorous Interpretation: Timing, Characters and DrillsFor students performing Humorous Interpretation (HI) and parents who want to help.
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Duo Interpretation: Partners, Blocking and ChemistryFor two performers and their parents.
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Poetry, Prose and POI: Structure, Transitions and IntroductionsFor students entering the reading-based interpretation events and their parents.
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Storytelling and Original Spoken Word: Structure, Voice and OriginalityFor students trying the two shortest interp events, and their parents.
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The Voice and Body Toolkit: 20 ExercisesFor any interp performer and the parent who coaches at home.
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Intros, Teasers and the Tournament-Day Parent ChecklistFor interp performers and their parents.
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Interp Glossary and a 10-Week Rehearsal PlanFor brand-new interpretation performers and their parents.
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Oratory, Informative & Teams: free downloads
10 guidesPDF
Original Oratory: A Speech BlueprintFor students who want to write and deliver a persuasive speech of their own, and for parents…
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Informative Speaking: Teach It ClearlyFor students entering Informative or Expository speaking.
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Declamation: Choose, Cut and DeliverFor students who want to perform a published speech with their own voice.
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Write a Speech in 5 StepsA simple writing process with fill-in templates for any speech event, from oratory to class…
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The Speech Delivery ToolkitVoice, eye contact, gestures and memory techniques in one practical guide.
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Beating Nerves: A 7-Day Performance PlanFor students who feel shaky before they speak, and parents who want to help.
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Middle School Speech and Debate: Start HereFor middle schoolers and parents deciding whether to try speech and debate.
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Starting and Running a Speech and Debate TeamFor coaches, advisors and parent volunteers building a team from scratch or improving an…
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Inclusive Coaching and a Welcoming TournamentFor coaches, judges, tournament hosts and parents who want every student to be able to take…
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A Parent Guide to the Speech and Debate SeasonFor parents of new competitors.
Each download is a free PDF with Scholar Coach's contact details built in.
Or jump to another event
Policy DebateHow a Policy Round Works, Speech by SpeechStock Issues and the Five-Minute ExplainerThe Beginner's Guide to Flowing
Public ForumHow a Public Forum Round WorksWriting a PF Constructive: Contentions, Warrants, ImpactsPublic Forum Crossfire: 12 Drills
Lincoln-DouglasHow an LD Round Works: Speech Order and TimesValues and Criteria in LD: Worked ExamplesWriting an LD Affirmative Case: A Template
CongressionalHow a Congressional Debate Session WorksParliamentary Procedure Cheat SheetWriting Legislation for a Tournament: Template and Checklist
World Schools & Big QuestionsWorld Schools Debate Format ExplainedBig Questions Debate: What Makes It DifferentBuilding a World Schools Case: Definition, Model and Split
Extemp & ImpromptuExtemporaneous Speaking Explained: The Event From Draw to BallotThe Seven-Minute Extemp Speech: Structure and TemplateBuild Your Extemp Files: A Daily Reading System
InterpretationInterpretation Events Side by SideChoosing and Cutting Your PieceDramatic Interpretation: Arc, Character and Emotional Range
Oratory, Informative & TeamsOriginal Oratory: A Speech BlueprintInformative Speaking: Teach It ClearlyDeclamation: Choose, Cut and Deliver