Dear students:
Welcome to the online resource for all speech and debate students in the Clark County School District. On this site, you will find basic information for tournament events, informational videos from the National Forensic League, and links to other helpful resources. You can use the links below or on the sidebar to help you find information on events we offer in the Golden Desert Forensic League. Before you start exploring, please make sure that you are familiar with the GDFL Code of Ethics. If you are new to forensic competition, please take a look at the tournament checklist as well. Both of these can be found below the list of events on this page. Finally, take a moment to watch the video above on the benefits of a forensic education.
Good luck to everyone in the 2011/2012 speech and debate season!
The Coaches of the Golden Desert Forensic League
The Debate Events
The Individual Speaking Events
Platform Events:
Interpretation Events:
Additional Speaking Events:
GOLDEN DESERT FORENSIC LEAGUE
An NFL District since 1974
Statement of Ethics & Professionalism
Because Forensics coaches and students are all ambassadors of both forensics and Southern Nevada, the coaches of the Golden Desert Forensics League (GDFL) want to inform all students about the principles of thought and conduct which we believe must underlie all competition, both local and out-of-district.
Forensic Competition and Ethics
Examples of Standards on Acquisition and Use of Debate Evidence
1. Full and accurate citations (source, qualifications, publication, issue, page, etc.) must accompany each evidence card.
2. Each evidence card must be read and analyzed only in ways that preserve the original context and meaning of the source.
3. Teams should voluntarily disclose their affirmative case.
Examples of Standards on Acquisition and Use of Individual Event Evidence
1. Extemporaneous research files must be compatible with NFL rules.
2. Interpretation, oratory, or expository scripts may not be competitively used by the same student more than once.
3. Oratory and expository evidence must be compatible with NFL rules.
Range of Consequences for Unethical Conduct
One or more of the following:
1) expulsion from forensics, 2) loss of NFL membership, 3) ineligibility from further competition, 4) ineligibility from selected competition, 5) being dropped from a tournament, 6) forfeiture of competitive round, 7) reduction in report card grade and/or citizenship, 8) formal written apologies to squad, coach, school, and Golden Desert Forensic League.
Note: The circumstances under which an alleged breach of ethics occurs will be important in determining final consequences.
Forensic Competition and Professionalism
GDFL coaches maintain that the essence of professionalism is respect—respect for self, respect for squad mates, respect for coaches, respect for schools, respect for the opposition, and ultimately for forensics.
Examples of Conduct Codes Before, During, and Between Rounds of Competition
1. Competitors are expected to be on time for each round. A 15-minute disqualification rule will be enforced.
2. Use of sarcasm in debate is to be discouraged; remember that a debater is to attack the opponent’s arguments, not directly or indirectly attack or denigrate the opponent.
3. During any debate or IE panel, whether as a competitor or observer, audience etiquette must be consistently demonstrated.
4. Between rounds of competition, whether in hallways or in common areas, students must not behave in a boisterous or rowdy way. Remember that you are always being judged whether you are aware of it or not.
5. When a debate or IE panel has ended, handshakes with opponents are appropriate. However, do not fawn over the judges. Leave the room promptly and politely.
6. At all times, students are expected to dress appropriately and demonstrate cleanliness and proper grooming. See the CCSD Dress Code for more specifics.
7. Forensics students are to show respect for tournament site facilities by helping to make sure they remain clean and undamaged.
Examples of Conduct Codes at Award Presentations
1. Booing or jeering is not acceptable at any time.
2. It is appropriate to stand as you applaud first place winners or schools.
No-Showing & Range of Consequences
Failing to report to a round of competition without a valid reason will be considered a serious matter not just by the student’s coach but also by all GDFL coaches. This is so because it is inherently disrespectful in all the ways listed above. Furthermore, it unnecessarily complicates the already difficult job of scheduling and administering a tournament. Lack of preparedness and lack of confidence are just two of the examples of invalid reasons for failing to report to a round. Circumstances will be taken into account before the determination of consequences. The consequences for no-showing apply to both the local and out-of-district tournaments and include but are not limited to the following:
1) expulsion from forensics, 2) loss of NFL membership, 3) ineligibility from further competition, 4) ineligibility from selected competition, 5) being dropped from a tournament, 6) forfeiture of a competitive round, 7) reduction in report card grade and/or citizenship.
Click HERE for the CCSD Forms Necessary for Competition
Checklist for One to Two Days Before the Tournament
Click HERE for the Word Doc
You must remember to . . .
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Arrange for a ride to and from the tournament site(s) on all days of competition.
ü Pay all your fees for upcoming tournament.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Verify that the tournament registration is correct. This is your responsibility.
ü Have your tournament clothes washed and pressed.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Have all debate cases / evidence copied and available for inspection.
ü Have all scripts for all interps and platform events copied and with you at all time.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Bring the extemp box to and from the tournament site.
ü Bring easels with you if you are doing expos.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Bring water, fruits, and vegetables with you to the tournament.
ü Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep all week before the tournament.
ü Get your grade check slips (if necessary) to your teacher before the tournament.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Bring any homework that you may have for the following week to the tournament.
ü Make sure you know how to get to the tournament site.
ü Make sure you have computer paper, legal paper (if necessary), blue, black, and red pens.
ü Make sure you have your digital timer.
ü Make sure your parents are aware of where you will be on all days of the tournament.
ü Make sure you have your copy of the tournament schedule. (Write this down somewhere.)
ü Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes.
ü Bring money if you wish to buy concessions in the cafeteria.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Don’t forget that you may be required to attend awards. Dress and act professionally at awards.
ü Remember to call your parents before the START of awards so your ride is on time.
ü Call and remind your judges of their tournament obligations.
ü Get thank you cards for your judges.
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