NationalForensicAssociation

ByLaws
(UpdatedandApprovedSpring2014)

I. GENERAL:AllamendmentstotheConstitutionapplytothefollowing:
II. EVENTSATTHENATIONALCHAMPIONSHIPTOURNAMENT:
A. TheeventsattheNationalChampionshipTournamentare:

1.ExtemporaneousSpeaking
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtomotivateaudienceconsiderationofasignificantargumentrelatedto
acurrentdomesticorinternationalissueorevent.
DESCRIPTION:Extemporaneousspeechesarecharacterizedbycontentthatisdirectlyand
specificallytopical,clearlystatedandwellsupportedarguments,demonstrationofaknowledgeof
currentevents,crediblesources,timeliness,andvocalandnonverbaldeliverychoicesthatreflectthe
speechspurpose.
RULES:
a. Studentswillconstructanddelivera5to7minutespeech*,afterchoosingfromamong
threequestions,with30minutesofpreparation.Theuseoflimitednotesisallowed.
b. Extemporaneousspeechesmustbetheoriginalworkofthespeaker.Consultationwithcoaches,
teammates,otherspeakers,oranyoneelseafterthedrawhasbegunisstrictlyprohibited.
c. Extemporaneousspeechesshouldbepreparedaftertopicshavebeendrawn.Whilespeakersare
encouragedtodrawfromtheirownknowledgeofcurrentevents,nostudentisallowedtospeak
fromoutlines,briefs,orothermaterialspreparedbeforetheround.Studentsareencouragedto
consultandreferenceresearchfromavarietyofsourcesincludingnewspapers,magazines,
journals,books,websitesandblogsprovidingtheseresourceslackexcessivenotationand
alteration.
d. Electronicmethodsofresourcematerialstorageandretrievalmaybeusedwithinthepreviously
prescribedparameters.Studentsshouldbeabletoretrievecitedmaterialuponjudgerequest.
Studentsmaynotobtainnewresearchduringtheirpreparationtimethroughtheuseofelectronic
devicessuchasbutnotlimitedtocomputers,cellphones,andpersonaldataassistants.
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.
PROCEDURES:
a. TheNationalChampionshipTournamenthostandNationalForensicAssociationarenot
responsibleforsupplyingsupportofanykindforelectronicstorageorretrievalmethods.
b. TheNationalChampionshipTournamenthostandNationalForensicAssociationarenot
responsibleforthesecurityofcomputersorotherdevicesstoredintheextemporaneous
preparationroom.
c. Standardtimesignalsshouldbegivennotingthetimeremainingforthespeakerbeginningatfive
minutesremainingandindicatingeachminutethereafter,thefinal30secondsandtheclosingfive
secondsnonverbally.

2. ImpromptuSpeaking
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtomotivateaudienceengagementofasignificantargument.
DESCRIPTION:Impromptuspeechesarecharacterizedbyaclearlyarticulatedargumentcomprisinga
specific,directresponsetothegivenprompt,wellsupportedclaims,clearstructure,uniqueness,and
vocalandnonverbaldeliverychoicesthatreflectthespeechspurpose.

pg. 1

RULES:
a. Studentswillconstructanddeliveranoriginalargumentinresponsetoaprompt.Limitednotesare
allowed.
b. Impromptuprescribesalimitof7minutes,withspeecheslastingatleast5minutes.
*Promptsincludeideasthatcanbecomprehendedandinterpretedquicklysuchasquotations,both
actual(fromhistoryorcontemporaryculture)andfictional(frommovies,plays,novelsetc.),
singleframecartoons,songlyrics,proverbs,rhetoricalsituationsetc.
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.
PROCEDURES:
a. Standardtimesignalsshouldbegivennotingtheexpirationofpreparationtimeverballyin30
secondintervals,andtheremainderofspeakingtimebeginningatfiveminutesremainingand
indicatingeachminutethereafter,thefinal30secondsandtheclosingfivesecondsnonverbally.
b. Contestantswhohavenotspokenshouldnotwatchtheperformanceoftheircompetitors.
c. Onejudgepersectionwillreceiveapromptwiththeirballot,andisresponsiblefordeliveringthe
providedprompttoeachcontestantintheround.

3. RhetoricalCriticism
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtodescribe,analyzeandevaluatetherhetoricaldynamicsrelatedtoa
significantrhetoricalartifactorevent.
DESCRIPTION:RhetoricalCriticismsarecharacterizedbyenlighteningcriticalinsight,indepth
analysis,descriptionandapplicationofrhetoricalprinciplesoratheoreticalframework,topic
significance,crediblesources,andvocalandnonverbaldeliverychoicesthatreflectthespeechs
purpose.
RULES:
a. Allspeechesshouldbeoriginal,constructedanddeliveredbythestudent.
b. SpeechesshouldadheretotheNFACodeofEthics,RulesandProcedures.
c. Plagiarisminanyformisprohibited.
d. Sourcecitationshouldbespecific,accurateandhonest.
e. Althoughlimitednotesarepermitted,speechesshouldbedeliveredfrommemory.
f. Audiovisualaidsarepermitted.
g. Maximumtimelimitof10minutes.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.
4. PersuasiveSpeaking
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtoinfluenceaudienceattitudesand/oractions.
DESCRIPTION:Persuasivespeechesarecharacterizedbysoundrhetoricalstrategy,wellsupported
arguments,crediblesources,effectiveorganization,timeliness,significance,andvocalandnonverbal
deliverychoicesthatreflectthespeechspurpose.
RULES:
a. Allspeechesshouldbeoriginal,constructedanddeliveredbythestudent.
b. SpeechesshouldadheretotheNFACodeofEthics,RulesandProcedures.
c. Plagiarisminanyformisprohibited.
d. Sourcecitationshouldbespecific,accurateandhonest.
e. Althoughlimitednotesarepermitted,speechesshouldbedeliveredfrommemory.
f. Audiovisualaidsarepermitted.
g. Maximumtimelimitof10minutes.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.

pg. 2

5. InformativeSpeaking
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtoclarifyand/orexplainasignificantdevelopment,process,concept,
person,placeortopic.
DESCRIPTION:Informativespeechesarecharacterizedbyindepthcontentdevelopmentthatlikely
enhancesaudienceunderstandingbeyondwhatwaspreviouslyknown,wellestablishedtopic
relevance,clearorganization,crediblesources,timeliness,andvocalandnonverbaldeliverychoices
thatreflectthespeechspurpose.
RULES:
a. Allspeechesshouldbeoriginal,constructedanddeliveredbythestudent.
b. SpeechesshouldadheretotheNFACodeofEthics,RulesandProcedures.
c. Plagiarisminanyformisprohibited.
d. Sourcecitationshouldbespecific,accurateandhonest.
e. Althoughlimitednotesarepermitted,speechesshouldbedeliveredfrommemory.
f. Audiovisualaidsarepermitted.
g. Maximumtimelimitof10minutes.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.
6. AfterDinnerSpeaking
PURPOSE:Aspeechdesignedtoentertainbyadvancingarelevantpointthroughtheuseofhumor.
DESCRIPTION:AfterDinnerspeechesarecharacterizedbyhumorouscontentdevelopment,
creativity,uniqueness,timeliness,clearorganization,significance,crediblesources,andvocaland
nonverbaldeliverychoicesthatreflectthespeechspurpose.
RULES:
a. Allspeechesshouldbeoriginal,constructedanddeliveredbythestudent.
b. SpeechesshouldadheretotheNFACodeofEthics,RulesandProcedures.
c. Plagiarisminanyformisprohibited.
d. Sourcecitationshouldbespecific,accurateandhonest.
e. Althoughlimitednotesarepermitted,speechesshouldbedeliveredfrommemory.
f. Audiovisualaidsarepermitted.
g. Maximumtimelimitof10minutes.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.
7. ProseInterpretation
PURPOSE:Aninterpretiveperformancedesignedtoengagetheaudiencethroughthedevelopmentof
astory.
DESCRIPTION:Studentschoose,excerptand/orcut(withduerespectpaidtoissuesofliterary
integrity),andperformaselectionorselectionsoforiginaland/orpublishedprosematerialofliterary
merit.
RULES:
a. Prosematerialincludes:shortstories,novels,essays,andstorycenterednewmedia.Prose
materialfromnewmediashouldfirstbereferencedagainsttheoriginalsourcetoensureitisnot
drama.Iftheoriginalsourceisnongenrespecificthenmaterialwheretheperformancefocuseson
thedevelopmentofstorywouldbeacceptable.Focusofnongenrespecificmaterialasdescribed
abovewillbecritiquedbythepreferenceofthejudgingpool,notcausefordisqualification.
b. Useofmanuscriptisrequired.
c. Maximumtimeis10minutes,includinganyintroductoryand/ortransitionalcomments.
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.

pg. 3

8. DramaticInterpretation
PURPOSE:Aninterpretiveperformancedesignedtoengagetheaudiencethroughthedevelopmentof
character(s)withinadramaticcontext.
DESCRIPTION:Studentschoose,excerptand/orcut(withduerespectpaidtoissuesofliterary
integrity),andperformaselectionorselectionsoforiginaland/orpublisheddramaticmaterialof
literarymerit.
RULES:
a. Dramaticmaterialincludes:plays,materialwrittenforstage/screen/radio,documentaries,and
character(s)-centerednewmedia.Dramaticmaterialfromnewmediashouldfirstbereferenced
againsttheoriginalsourcetoensureitisnotProse.Iftheoriginalsourceisnongenrespecificthen
materialwheretheperformancefocusesonthedevelopmentofcharacter(s)wouldbeacceptable.
Focusofnongenrespecificmaterialasdescribedabovewillbecritiquedbythepreferenceofthe
judgingpool,notcausefordisqualification.
b. Useofmanuscriptisrequired.
c. Maximumtimeis10minutes,includinganyintroductoryand/ortransitionalcomments.
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.

9. DuoInterpretation
PURPOSE:Aninterpretiveperformancebytwoindividualsdesignedtoengagetheaudiencethrough
theinteractionofmultiplecharacters.
DESCRIPTION:Studentschoose,excerptand/orcut(withduerespectpaidtoissuesofliterary
integrity),andperformaselectionorselectionsoforiginaland/orpublishedmaterialofliterarymerit.
Thisisnotanactingevent.Selectedliteraturemustpresenttheperspectivesofmultiplecharacters,
representingthosedifferentcharactersusingvoiceand/orbody.Thefocusofthiseventistheinteraction
ofmultipleandrelatedvoices
RULES:
a. Anytypeofmaterial(s)ofliterarymeritmaybeusedaslongastheperformancehighlights
interaction.
b. Useofmanuscriptisrequired,whichprohibitsphysicalcontactbetweenperformers
c. Offstagefocusisrequired
d. Nocostumes,props,etc.aretobeused.
e. Maximumtimeis10minutes,includinganyintroductoryand/ortransitionalcomments.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.

10. PoetryInterpretation
PURPOSE:Aninterpretiveperformancedesignedtoengagetheaudiencethroughthedevelopmentof
linguisticimagery.
DESCRIPTION:Studentschoose,excerptand/orcut(withduerespectpaidtoissuesofliterary
integrity),andperformaselectionorselectionsoforiginaland/orpublishedpoetryofliterarymerit.
RULES:
a. Poetrycanincludepoems,slampoetry,andlyricsanymaterialwithpoeticelements.
b. Useofmanuscriptisrequired.
c. Maximumtimeis10minutes,includinganyintroductoryand/ortransitionalcomments.*
*Unlikeothereventrules,minimumandmaximumtimelimitsprovidedforALLeventsare
enforcedatthediscretionoftheindividualjudgeratherthantheassociation.

pg. 4

11. LincolnDouglasDebate:
PURPOSE:Adebateeventdesignedtoengagetheaudiencethroughapolicyorienteddialogue.
DESCRIPTION:NFALincolnDouglasDebateisaoneperson,persuasive,policydebateonthe
traditionalstockissuesofpolicydebate(harms,inherency,solvency,andtopicality).Itisa
communicationevent,inwhichcompetitorswillbeevaluatedontheiranalysis,useofevidence,and
abilitytoeffectivelyandpersuasivelyorganize,deliverandrefutearguments.Rapidfiredelivery,
commonlycalledspreaddelivery,isconsideredantitheticaltothepurposeandintentofthisevent.
RULES:
a. ParadigmforJudgingLincolnDouglasDebateTheofficialdecisionmakingparadigmofNFA
LDisthatofStockIssues:Harm(AdvantageorGoals),Inherency,Solvency,andTopicality.The
affirmativeisrequiredtoproposeaplanthatmeetsfourinitialburdens.Theplanneednotbe
detailed,butshouldbesufficienttoprovetheplanspropensitytosolvetheproblemarea.
1.Theaffirmativemustprove:
a). Theharmofthepresentsystemorthatacomparativeadvantageorgoalcanbeachieved
overthepresentsystem
b).Theinherencywhichpreventssolvingthoseharmsorachievingthoseadvantagesorgoals
c).Theproposedplanspropensitytosolvetheharmorachievetheadvantageorgoalclaimed
bytheaffirmativeand
d).Thetopicalnatureoftheproposedplanasaninductiveproofoftheresolution.If,attheend
ofthedebate,thenegativehasconvincedthejudgethattheaffirmativeproposalhasviolated
theparameterssetbytheresolution,thenthedecisioninthedebateshouldbeawardedtothe
negative.However,theplandoesnotneedtodealwithallthepossibleproblemareas
suggestedbytheresolution.Topicalityisavotingissue.
2. Thenegativemayattackanyoftheseissues,butneedonlywinonetowinthedebate.
Additionally,thenegativemayarguethatoneormoredisadvantagestotheproposedplan
outweighitsbenefits.Thenegativemayalsopresentonecompetitivecounterproposal specificto
theaffirmativeproblemareaandnotdealingwiththeformofgovernment,economicsystem,or
needforfurtherstudy(unlessspecificallyidentifiedasakeyissueintheresolution).

3. Counterproposalsshouldbelogicallyconsistentwithallothernegativeargumentsconstructed
duringthedebate.Ifinconsistenciesariseandtheaffirmativepointsthemout,thejudgeshould
rejecttheargumentsinconsistentwiththecounterproposal.Counterproposalsaresubjecttothe
sameburdenofsolvencyasarerequiredofaffirmativeplans.

4. Rebuttalsaretobeusedtorespondtotheoppositionslinesofargumentandtoextendarguments
madeinconstructivespeeches.Nonewlinesofargumentmaybepresentedinrebuttals.Bynew
linesofargument,wemeanthosewhicharenotclarificationsorresponsesmadetoarguments
madeinconstructive,butthosewhicharecompletelynewandunrelatedtoprevious
argumentation.Newevidencetoextendorclarifyconstructiveargumentsispermittedinrebuttal.
5. Speechesshouldbepleasant,comprehensible,andpersuasiveintone,especiallysincenotall

judgeswillhavetraditionaldebateexperience.Speechdeliveryandquantityofevidenceshould
notbeexcessive.SinceLDdebateadherestothecommunicationprinciplesofindividualevents,
judgesareencouragedtogiveaverbalwarningtodebatersspeakingtoorapidlyinaround.Ifthe
speakerdoesnotheedthewarninginthatparticularround,thejudgeisstronglyencouragedto
givethatspeakeralossforthatroundevenifthestudenthasotherwisewonthedebateonthe
basisofthestockissues.Ontheotherhand,judgeswhoencouragestudentstospeakrapidly
shouldbereportedtothetournamentdirector.Atthenationaltournament,thesejudgeswillbe
pulledfromthejudgingpoolandtheirschoolsassessedjudgingfeesfortheroundsnotcovered.
Localtournamentdirectorsareencouragedtodeveloptheirownresponsestosuchjudges.
b. UseofEvidenceinLincolnDouglasDebate:Studentsshouldonlyuseevidencethatis
accurateandthoroughlyreferencedintheirspeeches.Inbothpreparedspeechesand
speechescomposedwithlimitedpreparationtime,debatersshoulduseevidencethatis

pg. 5

pg. 6

c.

d.

e.

accuratelyanddirectlyquoted.Theevidenceshouldbequotedwithproperrespecttothecontext
oftheoriginalsource.Studentsmayuseevidencefromnonwrittensourcesaslongastheveracity
oftheevidencemaybeverified.Informationgatheredfrompersonaland/orphoneinterviews,as
wellasinformationfromelectronicsources,maybeused,providedthestudentdoesthefollowing
1. Indicatesduringtheperformancethenameofthesource,datetheinformationwas

collected,andmethodusedtocollecttheinformationand,
2.Possessesameanstoverifytheaccuracyoftheevidenceshoulditbeformallychallenged.
Verificationmayincludeatranscriptoftheinterview,broadcast,etc.,anotarizedletterof
authenticityfromthesourceidentifyingspecificpassagesfromtheperformanceasaccurate,
and/orphonenumbersatwhichthesourcemaybereachedtoverifytheveracityofthe
information.(Thislastoptionisnotrecommendedasthesoleoptionsincethesourcemaynot
bereachableatthetimeanethicalchargeismade.)
3. Thefirsttimeasourceispresented,thedebatershouldreadthefullsourcealoudwhen
introducingtheevidence.Afullsourceisassumedtoincludeauthorsname,authors
qualifications(whenapparentintheoriginal),fulldate,andtitleofsource.Pagenumbersneed
notbereadduringthedebate,butshouldbeavailableuponrequest.Onceasourcehasbeen
cited,evidencesubsequentlycitedfromthesourceneedonlyincludetheauthorsand/or
publicationsnameaswellasaphrasealongthelinesofpreviouslycited.
4. Bothspeakersinadebatearerequiredtomakeavailabletotheiropponentcopiesofany
evidenceusedintheround,includingtheaffirmativeconstructivespeech.Theevidencemust
bereturnedtothespeakerattheendofthedebate.Iftheevidenceisonlyavailableinadigital
format,thedebaterisrequiredtomakeadigitalversionoftheevidenceavailableforthe
entiretyofthedebateattheopponentsdiscretion.Forexample,ifanaffirmativecaseisonly
availableonlaptop,thenegativeshouldbeallowedtokeepthelaptopforreferenceuntilthe
debateisover.Attheconclusionofthedebate,competitorsandjudgesmayreviewevidence
readintheroundandrecordsources.Competitorsmustprovideaccesstoawrittenversionof
thesourcecitation,ineitherphysicalordigitalformat,uponrequestbythejudgeorother
competitorintheround.Timetorecordsourcesmaybelimitedbasedontournamentschedule
constraints.Whentimerestrictionspreventrecordingofsourcesduringtheround,round
participantsmayasktoreviewsourcesatalaterpointduringthetournament.Competitors
wishingtophotograph,film,orotherwisecopypiecesofopponentsevidenceintheirentirety
mustfirstrequestpermission.Competitorsarenotrequiredtograntpermissionfor
photographingoftheevidence.Judgesmaynotphotographevidenceduringaround,normay
judgesaskdebatersforpermissiontodoso.Aftertheballothasbeenreturnedjudgesmay
approachacoachforpermissiontophotographtheevidence.
ViolationsoftheCodeofEthics:Ifadebater,duringthecourseofthedebate,chargeshis/her
opponentwithviolatinganethicalstandard,asestablishedbytheNationalForensicsAssociation
CodeofEthics,thedebateshallimmediatelycease.Thejudgewillbringthestudentstoamember
ofthetournamentcommitteeandthedebatermakingthechargewillfilloutaformalcomplaint
accordingtotheprovisionsunder(1)inthesectionViolationoftheCodeofEthics.The
complaintwillthenbeadjudicatedasinanyothercomplaint.Ifthedebatermakingthecharge
duringtheroundrefusestofileaformalcomplaint,thatdebaterwillreceivealossforthedebate.
Complaintsmadeafteraroundwillfollowthestandardprocedurelistedintheviolationsection
oftheCodeofEthics.
Electronicdevicesmaybeusedintheround(e.g.cellphonesastimers,laptopswithevidenceor
fornotes),butcompetitorsmustagreetoNOTcommunicatewithanyoneelse,eitherinsideor
outsidetheroom,duringthecourseofthedebateviatheirelectronicdevices.
TimeLimitsforLincolnDouglasDebate
AffirmativeConstructive6minutes
CrossExamination3minutes

NegativeConstructive7minutes
CrossExamination3minutes
AffirmativeRebuttal6minutes
NegativeRebuttal6minutes
AffirmativeRebuttal3minutes
Preptimeperdebater4minutes
B.Thefollowingrulesapplytoallevents:
1. AllmustbepresentedintheEnglishlanguage.
2. Nospeechorprogramusedbythecontestantincompetitionshouldhavebeenusedpriorto
September1,precedingtheNationalChampionshipTournament.
3. NostudentmayperformtwocuttingsfromthesameliteraryworkattheNationalChampionship
tournamentinthesameyear.
C.ExperimentaleventattheNationalChampionshipTournament:
1. AllproposalsforanyexperimentaleventattheNationalChampionshipTournamentmustbe
submittedforconsiderationtotheNationalCouncilbyApril1.Proposalsmustincludeeventname,
rules,rationale,andnamesandaffiliationsofauthors.
2. TheNationalCouncilwillselectworthyproposalstosubmittotheStudentAssemblyattheNational
ChampionshipTournament.
3. TheStudentAssembly,ifitchoosestodoso,willpickfromNationalCouncilsubmissionsan
ExperimentalEventforimplementationatthefollowingyear'sNationalChampionshipTournament.
a). Amaximumofone(1)experimentaleventmaybeimplementedinanytournamentyear.
b). TheexperimentaleventswillnotbepartofsweepstakesorpentathlonattheNational
ChampionshipTournament.
c). OtherappropriateelementsoftheassociationsConstitution,Bylaws,andCodeofEthicswill
applytotheexperimentalevent.Animplementedexperimentaleventcannotbeaddedtothe
slateofregulareventsunlessitconstitutionallyreplacesanotherevent.
d). Executionoftheexperimentaleventiscontingentuponavailablespace.
III.

QUALIFICATIONPROCEDURESANDREQUIREMENTS

A. InorderforastudenttoqualifyanyoftheeventsinSectionII(exceptLD)oftheByLawsfor

competitionattheNationalTournament,thefollowingcriteriamustbemet:
1. Thestudentmustbeanundergraduatestudentenrolledattheinstitutionwhichtheyrepresentedat
thequalificationtournament.
2. Atleast7schoolsenteredinthequalificationtournament.
3. Atleast11entrantsintheevent.*
4. Atleast3performances.**
5. Atleast3ballots.
6. Reachingthefinalroundwhichisdefinedbythetop6competitorsafterpreliminaryrounds.Ties
deemedunbreakablemayallowformorethan6toadvance,inwhichcaseallfinalistswillqualify.
7. Qualificationtournamentsmaynotsystematicallyemploycurrentcompetingundergraduatestudents
inthejudgingpool.
8. Intheeventthatastatetournamentdoesnotmeetthe7schoolrequirementexpectedofopen
invitationaltournaments,qualificationswillbegrantedprovidedthataminimumof3schoolsarein
attendance.Nostatemayrequestanexemptionformorethanonetournamentinanygiven
academicyear.Therequestforawaiverofthe7schoolsrequirementmustbesubmittedtothe
TournamentDirectoroftheNFAsNationalChampionshipTournamentwithintwoweeksofthe
dateofthestatetournamentbythestatetournamentdirectororotherstateorganizationofficer.
pg. 7

9. Whenatournamenthassixschoolscompetingatthestartofthetournament,theTournament
Directormayapplyforawaiverofthe"sevenschools"requirementif(1)atleastsevenschoolshad
officiallyenteredthetournamentand(2)the"seventhschool"failedtogive24hoursnoticeoftheir
withdrawalbeforethestartofcompetition.Thetournamentdirectormustapplyforthewaiver
withintwoweeksbycontactingtheTournamentDirectorfortheNFAsNationalChampionship
Tournament.TheNFAsTournamentDirectormayrequestsupportingmaterialssuchasaletter
fromthewithdrawingschoolorregistrationmaterialsforthewithdrawingschool.

*Intheeventthattherearelessthan11entrants,criteria2,4and5muststillbemet,andifso,the
topfiftypercentoftheentrantswillqualify.
**Intheeventthattherearelessthan8entrantswhoallcompeteinthesamesection,criteria2and
5muststillbemet,andifso,thetopfiftypercentoftheentrantswillqualify.
Intheeventthattherearemorethan60entrants,thetoptenpercentwillqualify.
Incaseswherebothnoviceandopendivisionsofthesameeventareoffered,thefinalistsinboth
divisionswillqualify,aslongastheystillmeettheabovecriteria.
B. InorderforastudenttoqualifyLincolnDouglasDebateforcompetitionattheNationalTournament,the
followingcriteriamustbemet:
1. Thestudentmustbeanundergraduatestudentenrolledattheinstitutionthattheyrepresented
atthequalificationtournament.
2.Atleast3schoolsenteredinLD.
3.Atotalofatleast5studentsenteredinLD.
4.ThedebatetournamentmustemploytheNFALincolnDouglastopicandrules.
5.Atleast4preliminaryroundsofcompetition(eliminationroundsareencouragedbutareoptionalas
qualificationtotheNationalChampionshipTournamentisdeterminedbasedonpreliminaryround
seeding).
6.Thenumberofqualificationsisbasedonthefollowingformula:
58entrants=2qualifiers
916entrants=4qualifiers
1732entrants=8qualifiers
33+entrants=16qualifiers
7.IncaseswherebothopenandnovicedivisionsofLincolnDouglasdebateareoffered,studentsmay
qualifyfromeitherdivisionsolongastheabovecriteriaaremetineachdivision.
C. EachqualificationapplicationmustbesubmittedtotheNationalTournamentDirectorwithwrittenproof
ofmeetingtherequirementsstatedabove.
D.Regardlessofeventsize,onlyonesetofcompetitorspereventmayqualifyfortheNationalChampionship
Tournament.Incaseswherebothnoviceandopendivisionsofthesameeventareoffered,theywillbe
consideredseparateevents.
E.TournamentsthatrestrictentrytoonlythosewhohavenotyetqualifiedfortheNationalChampionship
Tournamentshallnotbeacceptedasqualifyingtournaments.

F. StudentswhograduateduringtheacademicyearmaycompeteattheNationalChampionshipTournament
inthoseeventsinwhichtheyqualifiedbetweenSeptemberandthedateoftheirgraduation.
pg. 8

G. ThethirdMondaypriortothebeginningoftheNationalChampionshipTournamentshallbethe
tournamentqualificationandtournamententrydeadline.
IV.ELIGIBILITYOFCONTESTANTS

A.ContestantsmustbeenrolledundergraduatesattheschooltheyrepresentattheNationalChampionship
Tournament.Exceptionswillbemadeforthosestudentswhograduateinmidyear.Contestantsneednotbe
fulltimestudentsbutmustbeenrolledattheirinstitutionformorethanacourseinforensics.
B. Contestantsmaynothavereceivedabaccalaureatedegreeoritsequivalent.Exceptionswillbemadefor
thosestudentswhograduateinmidyear.
C. Astudentisallowedtheequivalentofeightsemestersofcompetitiveeligibility.Competitionin3ormore
tournamentsand/oranynationaltournament(asdefinedbelowinSectionD)withinasemesterconstitutesa
semesterofeligibility.
D.Contestantsarelimitedtofouryearsofnationaltournamentcompetition.Theseyearsneednotbe
consecutive.ThesenationaltournamentsincludethosesponsoredbyNFA,PKD,DSRTKA,IOA,PRP,
CEDA,NPDA,AFA,andNoviceNationalsoranyotherforensicnationalcompetitionaddedtothislistby
theNationalCouncil.
E. TransferStudents:Qualificationsgowiththestudent.

F. Anystudentwhojudgesanyoftheeventsdescribedinsection2,EventsattheNationalChampionship
TournamentatanintercollegiatequalificationtournamentduringtheNFAcompetitiveseasonforfeitsany
remainingcompetitiveeligibilityattheNationalChampionshipTournament.Astudentwhojudgesata
tournamentbeforeotherwiseexhaustinghisorhercompetitiveeligibilitymaypetitiontheNFAExecutive
Counciltohaveeligibilityreinstated.

G. AllContestantsmustmeettheminimumstandardsofeligibilityforparticipationinintercollegiate
activitiesasdeterminedbytheirrespectiveinstitutions.

H. Finaldeterminationofastudent'seligibilitytocompeteinthetournamentwillbemadebythePresident
alongwiththeNationalCouncil.
V.INDIVIDUALEVENTSTOURNAMENTPROCEDURES

Section1:Theschematicshouldincludethefollowingitemsandprocedures:
A. Maximumrotationideally,contestantsshouldmeetnewcompetitioneachround.
B. Sectionsshouldbenomorethansixandnotfewerthanfivecontestants.
C. Fourpreliminaryroundsofcompetitionplusquarterfinal,semifinals,andfinalroundsineachevent.
D. Eachcontestantinaneventshallhaveadifferentcodenumberforthatevent.Schematicswilluseonly
thosenumbers.Thecontestant'sschool(bynameorcode)shallnotbeidentifiedintheschematicorin
anypostingand/orannouncementofeliminationrounds.
E. Contestantswillnotcompeteagainstcontestantsfromtheirownschoolifmathematicallypossible.If
not,thensuchconflictsshouldbekepttoaminimum.
Section2:TournamentSchedule
A. Schedulenomorethanthreeeventspertimebracket.
B. ScheduletimefortheNationalAssemblyandStudentAssemblymeetings.
pg. 9

Section3:AssignmentofJudges.
A. JudgesarescheduledatthediscretionoftheNationalTournamentCommittee.
B. Nojudgewilljudgestudentsfromhis/hercurrentschoolorfromanyotherschoolhe/shedeclaresan
associationwithontheentryform.Suchdeclarationsmightinclude:recentcoachingatanyotherschool
enteredinthetournamentrecentcoachingofanyindividualstudententeredinthe
tournamentbyanotherteamoranyotherpotentiallysignificantconflictofinterest.
C. Twojudgeswillbeassignedtoeachsectioninpreliminaryrounds.Judgesshouldnotjudgethesame
contestantinpreliminaryroundsmorethanonceinthesameevent.Judgesshouldnotjudgewiththe
samepartnermorethanonce.Eachpreliminaryroundsectionshouldnothavemorethanonehired
judge.
D. Nojudgehiredbythehostschoolwilljudgecontestantsfromthatschool.Exceptionsmaybegrantedby
theNationalTournamentCommitteewhennecessaryduetoavailabilityofjudges,forjudgeshiredby
thehostschoolsolelyforNationalTournamentjudging.
E. FivejudgesfromfivedifferentstateswillbeassignedbytheNationalTournamentCommitteeforeach
sectionofeliminationrounds.Judgesshouldnotjudgethesameeventmorethanonceinelimination
rounds.
F. Lastnamesofjudgesassignedtoroundswillbeprintedinthetournamentschematic.
Section4:TournamentBallots.
Associationapprovedballotswillbeutilized.Theywillincluderanks,ratings,andspaceforwritten
comments.Allcontestantswillberankedfrom15inpreliminaryroundsandfrom16(orwhen
necessary,17)inalleliminationrounds.Allcontestantswillbegivenratingpointsfrom10070inboth
preliminaryandeliminationrounds.Therecanbenotiesgiveninratingpoints.Inaddition,therecanbe
notiesonranksotherthana5inpreliminaryrounds.
Section5:TabulationandResultsRecording
A. TheNationalTournamentDirectorshallbeinchargeofthetabulationroom.
B. Noonewithknowledgeofresultsatanytimeshalljudgeinafollowingroundexceptinanemergency.
C. SpecificProceduresforTabulation.
1. Recordrankandratingforeachentryattheendofeachroundfromthejudge'sballotswhichare
his/hersignedofficialdecision.
2. Recordsweepstakespointsforeachentryattheendofeachround.
3. Attheendofpreliminaryrounds,calculatetotalranksandtotalratings.Dropthelowestrankand
ratingforeachcontestant.Determinethetop24contestantsineachevent.Ranktop24inorderfrom
1to24usingfirsttotalranksthantotalratings.Recordpentathlonandsweepstakespointson
appropriaterecordsheets.Repeatprocedureforsemifinalsandfinalrounds.Totalpentathlonand
sweepstakes.
4.Alltabulationswillbedoublecheckedbythetabulationstaff.
D. Sweepstakespointsarebasedonallpreliminaryroundranks,includingthosethatweredroppedto
determineadvancementintoeliminationrounds.

pg. 10

E. The24contestantsineacheventwiththelowestadjustedranksadvancetoquarterfinals.Thefollowing
procedurewillbeusedincaseoftiesinranks:(1)totalratingspoints(2)greatestnumberoffirstsin
preliminaryrounds.Ifatiestillexistsatthispoint,theadditionalperson(s)willadvanceto
quarterfinals.
F. Quarterfinalssectionsshallbemadeupofthefollowingrankedcontestants:
SectionA1,8,9,16,17,24(25)
SectionB2,7,10,15,18,23(26)
SectionC3,6,11,14,19,22(27)
SectionD4,5,12,13,20,21.(28)
Therewillbenoexceptionstothissectionassignment(suchastwoormorecontestantsfromthesame
schoolinthesamesection).Seedingtieswillbebrokenusingthesamecriterionoutlinedabove,except
thatinquarterfinalrounds,ifatiestillexists,seedingwillbedeterminedbyasinglecoinflip.
G. Thetopthreecontestantsfromeachquarterfinalsectionwilladvancetothesemifinals.Thetopthree
contestantsfromsectionsAandDwillcompriseonesemifinalsectionandthetopthreecontestantsfrom
sectionsBandCwillcomprisetheothersemifinalsection.Thetopthreecontestantsfromeachsemifinal
sectionwilladvancetothefinalround.Ifatieexistsinanyeliminationround,thetiebreakingprocedure
willbe:
1. Totalrank
2. Totalrate
3. Judgespreference.
H. Speakingorderinalleliminationroundswillbedeterminedbyrandomdraw.
I. Contestantsearn3sweepstakespointsforeachfirstplace2pointsforeachsecondplaceand1pointfor
eachthirdplacerankreceivedinthefourpreliminaryrounds.Thus,themaximumpointswould
occurwhenacontestantreceivedeightfirstsequaling24points.Thetotalpreliminarypointsarehalved
forteamsweepstakesandpentathloncalculation.
J. Allstudentsinquarterfinalsandsemifinalswillbeawardedthreesweepstakespoints.Inthefinalround,
sweepstakespointsareallottedasfollows:lst122nd103rd84th75th56th3.
K. Regardlessofthenumberofentries,eachschoolreceivesthesweepstakespointsforitstopthree
contestantsinpreliminaryroundsineachevent.
VI: LINCOLNDOUGLASPROCEDURES.
A. PreliminaryRounds:
1.TheNationalChampionshipTournamentshallconsistof6preliminaryroundsofcompetitionin
LincolnDouglasdebate.
2.Thefirsttworoundsofthetournamentwillbepresetwithdebatersrandomlypaired.
a.Thedebatersshallberandomlymatchedwithdebatersoutsidetheirowngeographicalregion
asdeterminedbythetabroomstaff.
b. Sofaraspossible,ajudgeshouldnotjudgeadebaterfromaschoolwithintheirowngeographical
regioninallpreliminaryrounds.
3.Powermatchingshouldbeginwiththethirdround.
a.Theoddnumberroundsshoulduseadirectpowermatchscheme(high/high)sincethereisnota
problemwithsideconstraintsintheoddnumberrounds.
b.Theevennumberroundsshoulduseahigh/lowpowermatchschemewithinwin/lossbracketsto
allowforsideconstraints.
pg. 11

4.Ifthefieldconsistsofanoddnumberofentriesthebyeshouldberandomlyassignedinroundsone
andtwo.Inroundsthreethroughsixthebyeshouldbeassignedtothelowestseedthathasnotalready
receivedabye.
5.Undernocircumstancesshouldcontestantsfromthesameschoolmeetinpreliminaryrounds.
6.Asinglejudgewillbeassignedtoadjudicateeachpreliminaryround.Judgeswillassigneach
contestantintheroundawinorlosswithbetween130speakerpoints.Ajudgeshouldnotjudgethe
samecontestantmorethanonceinpreliminaryrounds.
B.EliminationRounds:
1.Thetop2seedswilladvancetothesingleeliminationroundsunlesstherearemorethan32
competitorswithawinningrecord.Awinningrecordisdefinedas42orbetter.Intheeventthatmore
than32competitorshaveawinningrecord,allcompetitorswithawinningrecordwilladvancetothe
singleeliminationrounds.Theinitialseedingorderofdebatesadvancingtoeliminationroundswillbe
determinedbythefollowingcriteria:
a.Numberofwins
b.Adjustedspeakerpointsadjustedbydroppingthehighandlowscores
c.Totalspeakerpoints
d.Judgevariance/ZScoretheaveragenumberofpointsthateachjudgegavethedebaterrelativeto
thenumberofpointsthatjudgegavetoallotherdebatersthatheorsheadjudicated
e.Strengthofopponentthenumberofwinsearnedbythedebatersopponentsinpreliminaryrounds
f.Doubleadjustedspeakerpointsadjustedbydroppingthetwohighestandtwolowestscores
g.Random
2.Assoonaspossibleaftertheendofround6,thetabroomwillreleasepubliclythenamesofthe
debaterswhohavequalifiedfortheeliminationroundsandthetournamentwillmakeavailablethe
bracketforeliminationrounds.
3.Bracketswillnotbebrokentopreventdebatersfromthesameschoolmeetingineliminationrounds.
4.Sidesinalleliminationroundswillbedeterminedbyacointossunlessthetwodebatershavemetin
thepreliminaryrounds.Thedebaterlistedontheleftsideofthepairingwillcallsideinthecointoss.
5.Panelsofthreejudgeswilladjudicatealleliminationroundsthroughthequarterfinalround.Apanelof
fivejudgeswilladjudicatethesemifinalroundsandsevenjudgeswilladjudicatethefinalround.Inthe
eventthatthereareinsufficientjudgestofillthepanelstheTournamentDirectormayreducethesize
ofthepanelsforanystageoftheeliminationroundstoensurethesmoothrunningofthetournament,
althoughthenumberofjudgesshallbethesameineachindividualroundheldatthattime.
6.AlljudgeswhoarecommittedtojudgingLincolnDouglasdebatemustbeavailablethroughthe
octafinalsround,oroneroundbeyondtheeliminationoftheirlastcompetitoriftheyadvancea
studenttoeliminationrounds.Judgesmayvolunteertojudgebeyondtheircommitment.
7.Judgeswillhaveacleanslateoncetheeliminationroundsbegin.Theymayjudgeacontestantin
eliminationroundsthattheyjudgedinthepreliminaryrounds.Additionally,judgesmayjudgethe
samecontestanttwiceineliminationroundsifnecessary.
C.Disclosure:Judgesarenotpermittedtodisclosetheirdecisioninanypreliminaryrounds.Decisions
inalleliminationrounds,exceptforfinals,willbedisclosedimmediatelyfollowingtheround.
D.TabulatingSpeakerAwards:
Thetoptenspeakersatthetournamentwillreceiveanawardasdeterminedbythespeakerpoints
assignedtotheminthepreliminaryrounds.Speakerordershallbedeterminedbythefollowingcriteria:
1. AdjustedPoints:Speakerpointsafterdroppinghighandlowscores
2. TotalPoints:Totalspeakerpoints
3.JudgeVariance/ZScore:Theaveragenumberofpointsgreaterorfewerthateachjudgegave the
speakerrelativetoallotherspeakerstowhichthejudgeassignedpoints
pg. 12

4.DoubleAdjustedPoints:Speakerpointsafterdroppingthetwohighestandthetwolowestscores
5.NumberofWins:Thespeakersnumberofwinsinthepreliminaryrounds
6.OppositionWins:Thestrengthofthespeakerscompetitionasdefinedbythenumberofpreliminary
roundwinsearnedbythespeakersopposition
7.Ifallthespeakersinvolvedinatieareindistinguishablebasedonalloftheabovecriteria,thenan
unbreakabletiewillbedeclared.

E.LincolnDouglasTopic
1.TheLincolnDouglasdebatecommittee,chairedbytheLincolnDouglasRepresentativetotheNational
Council,willberesponsiblefortheoverseeingandfacilitatingthetopic selectionprocess.
2.ByFebruary1,topicareasaretobesubmittedtothechairoftheLDcommittee.Thecommunityis
encouragedtosubmittheirtopicpaperstotheLDcommittee.Iflessthan10briefsaresubmitted,they
willallbedistributedtotheLDcommunityforavote.Ifmorethan10briefsaresubmitted,theLD
committeewillnarrowthefielddownto10briefsusingaweightedpreferentialvotingsystem.Each1st
placeballotreceives10points,downto10thplace,whichreceives1point.TheLDcommitteewill
breaktiesfor10thplace.
3.ByFebruary8,thecommitteewilldistributethebriefstotheLDcommunityandthemembershipof
theNFA,fordiscussionandconsideration.Thismailingwillincludeaballotofwhichschoolsshould
rankalloftheirchoicesandreturntotheNFAPresidenttobereceivedbyMarch1.Again,thetopic
areawillbeselectedusingaweightedpreferentialvotingsystem.
4.TheselectedtopicareawillbeannouncedonMarch8.
5. TheLDcommitteewillbetaskedwithformulatingatleastfiveresolutionsbasedontheselectedtopic
area.TheLDcommitteewillsolicitcommunityvolunteerstoparticipateinresearchwithintheselected
topicareatoguidetheresolutiondesignprocess.Thevolunteerswillbeassignedanareaofresearch,
andtheywillbeexpectedtoidentifymajorissuesandthemeswithintheareaaswellasrelevanttermsof
artinawrittenreport.TheLDcommitteewillhostanopenforumatNFANationalstogather
communityinputandwillrefinetheresolutionsviaemailandconferencecalls.
6.ByMay1,aballotwillbesentoutwithfiveresolutionsforconsideration.Inorderforaballottobe
counted,allfiveresolutionsmustberankordered.TheballotsmustbereturnedtotheNFAPresidentby
May15.Aweightedpreferentialvotingsystemwillusedtodeterminethefinalresolution.1stplace
receives5 points,2ndplacereceives4points,downto5thplace,whichreceivesonepoint.Tieswillbe
brokenbythePresidentoftheNFA,whomayathis/herdiscretion,consultwiththeLDdebate
committee.
7.TheresolutionannouncedbyJuly1.ThewinningresolutionwillbeknownonlytothePresidentofthe
NFAuntilitisannounced.
VII.CATEGORIESOFSWEEPSTAKESAWARDS

A.IndividualEvents
Therewillbefourcategoriesofsweepstakes.Thetop10percentofschoolswiththemostenteredslotsare
eligibleonlyforopensweepsthenext20percentPresident'sOne(I),thenext25percentPresident'sTwo
(II),andtheremainderPresident'sThree(III).CategoriesaredeterminedtheSundaybeforetheNational
ChampionshipTournament.Allnumberswillberoundedupwhencategoriesarecalculated.Schoolswinningan
awardinoneofthePresidentialcategoriesarealsoeligibletowinanawardintheOpenDivision.Categories
willbeannouncedattheawardsceremonyonMonday.
B.LincolnDouglasDebate
ThereisoneopendivisioninLincolnDouglasDebate.

pg. 13

C.Pentathlon
1. StudentsenteredinfiveormoreeventsareeligibleforPentathlonawards(TwoduosdoNOTcountas
twoeventsindeterminingPentathloneligibility).Indeterminingtheseawards,onlythestudentsbest5
slotsinpreliminaryand/oreliminationroundswillbeconsidered.
2. IntheeventofatieinPentathlon,thetiebreakingprocedurewillbe:
a. Numberofeventsinfinalrounds
b. Numberofeventsinsemifinalrounds
c. Numberofeventsinquarterfinalrounds
d. Ifatiestillexists,thetiewillbebrokenonplacementineliminationrounds,beginningwithfinals.
VIII.NFACODEOFETHICS,RULESANDPROCEDURES
A. Directors,coachesandstudentsmustensurecompliancewiththeassociationsethics,rulesandprocedures.
Anydirector,coachorstudentwhoviolatestheseethics,rulesorproceduresissubjecttothesanctionsas
indicatedintheCodeofEthicsandasappliedatthediscretionoftheNationalCouncil.
B.Thoseindoubtastocompliancewiththeseethics,rulesorproceduresshouldcorrespondwiththePresident
orNationalTournamentDirectorinadvanceoftheNationalChampionshipTournamenttoensuretheir
compliance.Thosesuspectingviolationsofethics,rulesorproceduresshouldreportallegedviolation(s)toa
memberoftheNationalTournamentCommitteeassoonaspracticalandifatallpossible,wellinadvance
oftheNationalChampionshipTournament.
CODEOFETHICS
1. RepetitionofMaterials(InPrepared&InterpretationEvents)
Itisunethicalforstudentstoreusematerialsfromyeartoyear.
2. LiteraryDefinitionsforInterpretiveEvents
Contestantsmustuseliteraryselectionsintheappropriateeventcategoryandmustperformthose
selectionsprimarilyinEnglish.
3. AuthorshipofMaterialsUsedinCompetition
Studentsshouldauthortheirownmaterialsinnoninterpretationeventsandshouldcitesourcesforany
materialstheyemploywhicharenotoriginal. Violationsofthisruleincludeallformsofplagiarism.
Studentsshallnotrepresentanother'swordsorideasastheirown.Examplesinclude,butarenotlimited
to,deliveringaspeechauthoredbyanotherstudentintheevent"PersuasiveSpeaking,"paraphrasinga
personalstoryfoundinamagazinewithoutcitingthesource,presentingaprofessionalcomedian'sjoke
asifitwereyourown,orcuttingandpastingthedefinitionofatermfromWikipediaintothe
introductionofaPoetryprogramwithoutverballyattributingittothewebsite.Violationsalsoinclude
fabrication,theinventionorfalsificationofinformationorcitations.Examplesincludecitingthewrong
sourceforthenation'sGDPinanextemporaneousspeechorupdatingacitationinaninformativespeech
withanewsourcethatdoesnotcontaintheinformationclaimed.Additionalguidelinesforthecitingof
sourcesappearbelow.
4. Timing
Thejudge(s)ineachroundmustensureaccuratetimingofallperformancesandprovisionofaccurate
timesignalsinlimitedpreparationevents.

pg. 14

5. StudentAffiliationwithanInstitution
StudentswhoattendmorethanoneinstitutionmayonlyrepresentoneinstitutionattheNational
ChampionshipTournament.StudentsmaycompeteattheNationalChampionshipTournamentonlyin
thoseeventstheyqualified.Studentswhoofficiallytransferfromoneinstitutiontoanothermay
competeinanyeventsforwhichtheyhavequalified.
6. StudentStatus
StudentswhocompeteattheNationalChampionshipTournamentmustbemakingprogresstowardan
initialundergraduatedegree.
7. Evidence
Studentsshouldonlyuseevidencethatisaccurateandthoroughlyreferenced.Institutionsshouldbe
preparedtoprovidesourceverificationofallmaterialsusedincompetitionattheNational
ChampionshipTournament.Studentsmayuseevidencefromnonwrittensourcesaslongastheveracity
oftheevidencemaybeconfirmed.
8.EthicalJudgingBehavior
Judgesshouldactprofessionallyanddemonstraterespectforacademicfreedomwhenengagedinthe
critique,rankingandratingofstudents.
9. StudentsmustalsoabidebyArticleIIIoftheAmericanForensicAssociationsCompetitorPracticesin
IndividualEvents(16E),lastupdatedin2009.ThissectionoftheAFAsStudentCodeisappended
below.Inadditiontoourowncodeofethics,theserulesfromanaffiliateorganization,theAFA,willbe
enforcedattheNFAsNationalChampionshipTournament.

pg. 15

CodeofForensicProgramandForensicTournamentStandardsforCollegesandUniversities
TheAmericanForensicAssociation(2009)
ARTICLEIII:COMPETITORPRACTICESININDIVIDUALEVENTS
1. Studentscompetinginindividualeventsareexpectedtoprovidesufficientsupportfortheir
claims.Theethicaluseofevidenceincludesappropriatecitations,accuraterepresentationof
evidencecontent,andavoidanceofplagiarismandreflectionofautonomousstudentwork.
2. AppropriateCitationsofEvidence:Outsidesourcesshallbeverballycitedduringthespeech.A
verbalcitationshallincludesufficientinformationforanaudiencemembertolocatethesource.
The AFANIETrecommendsthefollowing(additionalinformationmaybeincluded):
A. Printperiodicalsshallbecitedwiththetitleoftheperiodicalanddateofthepublication
regardlessifthematerialwaselectronicallyretrieved.Thedateasourceisaccessedonline
isnotconsideredtheprimarypublicationdate.Forexample:AccordingtotheMay21,
2009,NewYorkTimes
B. Materialsdistributedviaelectronicmeansonlyshouldbeindicatedassuch.Forexample:
AccordingtoaMay21,2009onlinereportbytheAssociatedPress
C. Booksshallbecitedwiththetitle,dateandauthor.Essaysorarticlescollectedinan
anthologyshouldbecitedusingtheprimaryauthorsnamenottheeditorofthe
collection.Whenapplicable,studentsshouldfindandcitetheoriginalpublicationofthe
anthologizedwork.Forexample:AugustoBoalarguesinhis1979bookTheatreofthe
Oppressed
D. WebpagesshallbecitedusingeitherabriefURLorthenameofthesponsoring
organizationandthedateonwhichthepagewasposted.Inabsenceofapostedondate,
studentsshouldusethedatethepagewaslastupdated.Thedateasourceisaccessedonline
isnotconsideredaprimarypublicationdate.Forexample:Asreportedonwww.ptoweb.orglast
updatedMay2009andTheAFANIETstatesonitswebsitelastupdatedApril10,2009.

E. Interviewsshallbecitedwiththenameoftheinterviewee,his/herqualificationsandthe
dateonwhichtheinterviewoccurred.Interviewsincludefacetoface,email,chat,Facebook,
andotherformsofelectronicexchange.Forexample:InanemailcorrespondenceonJuly7,
2009withJoeWhite,formerChairoftheTucson,AZHabitatforHumanityBoardofDirectors
3. AccurateRepresentationofEvidence:Whenincorporatingevidenceintoaspeech,studentsshall
avoidthefollowing:
A. Citingevidenceoutofcontext
B. Misinterpretingevidencetoalterintentormeaning
C. Cuttingwordsfromoraddingwordstoaquotationorparaphraseinsuchawaythattheintentor
meaningoftheevidenceisalteredAFACode
4. AvoidanceofPlagiarism:Inindividualeventswhichrequiretheconstructionofthespeechtobe
theoriginalworkofthestudent(persuasion,informative,afterdinner,communicationanalysis,
impromptu,extemporaneous,orothersimilarspeakingevents)thespeakershallnotcommit
plagiarism.
A. Plagiarismisdefinedasclaiminganother'swrittenorspokenwordsasone'sown,orclaimingas
one'sownasignificantportionofthecreativeworkofanother.
B.Aspeechinindividualeventscompetitionisconsideredplagiarizedwhenthestudent
presentingitwasnottheprincipalpersonresponsibleforresearching,drafting,organizing,
composing,refining,andgenerallyconstructingthespeechinquestion
5.ReflectionofAutonomousStudentWork:Forensicscompetitorsareexpectedtodotheirownresearch.
A. Personsotherthancompetitor(e.g.,undergraduatestudents,graduatestudents,instructors/
coaches)arenottobechargedwiththeresponsibilityofdoingaforensicscompetitor'sresearch.
B. Thisprovisionshallnotbeconstruedtopreventcoachesorassistantsfromengagingin
limitedresearchdesignedto:
i.
Teachresearchtechniques,
ii.
Provideexamplesofhighqualityresearchor,
iii.
Identifyareasofresearchforstudents
6.EthicalUseofLiteratureinIndividualEvents(asiteratedintheAFANIETCharter/Bylaws)
A. Contestantsmaynotrewriteaprose,apoem,oradramatictextsotheworkdiffersfrom
theoriginaltext.
B. Contestantsmaynotaddorreassignscenesorlinestotheperformedcutting.Althoughan
occasionallinemightbeadded,especiallyifacharacterhasbeendeleted,thispractice
shouldbediscouraged.
C. Contestantsmaynotrewritetheendingofawork.
D. Contestantsmaynotrewritelinestochangethegenderorpersonofacharacter.
E. Contestantsmaynotperformatextinagenreforwhichithasnotbeenwritten.
10. ProtestofethicalviolationsshouldbefiledinwritingwiththetournamentdirectoroftheNational
ChampionshipTournament
VIOLATION(S)OFETHICS,RULESandPROCEDURE
1. Challengesordisputesarisingfromtheprovisionsoftheassociationmustbesubmittedinwritingtoa
memberoftheNationalTournamentCommittee(thePresidentoftheassociation,theNational
TournamentDirectorortheVicePresidentforAdministration).Thewrittenchallengemustincludethe
violation,astatementofthenatureoftheviolation,thenameoftheallegedoffender,theschoolthey
represent,and,ifpossible,anyevidenceinsupportoftheallegationofviolation.TheNational
TournamentCommitteewillmakeapreliminaryreviewofthewrittenchallengeassoonaspracticaland
within24hoursiftheallegationoccursduringtheNationalChampionshipTournament.TheNational
TournamentCommitteewillutilizeanyandallmeansatitsdisposaltodeterminethevalidityofthe
allegationsandthecircumstancesofthesituation(s)surroundingthem,includingvideoandaudiotapes,
pg. 16

studentmanuscripts,ballots,judges'comments,etc.AnypersoninattendanceattheNational
ChampionshipTournamentmayfileachallengeforviolationofanyallegedviolation.
2. AfterthepreliminaryreviewoftheNationalTournamentCommitteeofawrittenchallenge,theNational
TournamentCommitteewillreportitsfindingstotheNationalCouncil.TheNationalCouncilwilleither
conductaformalhearingtoinvestigatetheallegation,dismisstheallegation,ordeferactionuntilfurther
evidencecanbemadeavailable.AllpartiesinvolvedwillbegivennoticeoftheNationalCouncil's
actions.PublicnoticeoftheNationalCouncilsrulingwillbegiventoallmemberinstitutions.
3. TheNationalCouncilmayrequestwrittenstatements,oraltestimonyorinterrogatoriesfromthose
involvedintheallegations.FailuretocooperateintheNationalCouncil'sinvestigationwillbe
consideredaviolationandsubjecttothepenaltiesnotedelsewhere.
4. NationalCouncilwillkeepaccuraterecordsofitsproceedingsandanytestimony receivedinconnection
withanallegationofviolation(s).Theserecordswillbeconfidentialandsubjecttodisclosureonlytothe
personorpersonsallegedtobeinviolation. IndividualsmaypetitiontheNationalCouncilinwritingto
havetheirtestimonyexemptedfromconfidentialityprovisions.
5. ThefindingsoftheNationalCouncilinanallegationofviolationaresubjecttoappealtotheNational
Assembly.
SANCTIONSFORVIOLATIONS
1. TheNationalCouncil,afteritsdeliberationsandadeterminationby2/3voteofthemembers
presentandvoting,mayimposepenaltiesforviolationofethics,rules,and/orprocedures.The
impositionofpenaltieswillbemadepublic,aswillthevotesoftheindividualCouncilmembersto
imposepenalties.StudentrepresentativesoftheNationalCouncilwillnottakepartintheinvestigation
ofviolationsnorwilltheybepermittedtovoteinsuchmattersifthechallengeispresentedduringthe
NationalChampionshipTournament.
2.

Forviolationsinvolvingaspecificevent,thepenaltieswillbeselectedfromthefollowing:
A. Disqualificationfromtheeventinquestion
B. Issuanceofletter(s)ofcensuretotheindividual(s)and/orinstitution(s)inviolation
C. Issuanceofletter(s)ofreprimandtotheindividual(s)and/ortheinstitution(s)inviolation
D. Disallowanceofsweepstakespointsorhonorsachievedintheeventinquestion.
E. Prohibitionfromattendanceatfuturenationalcompetitions.

3. Forviolationsinvolvingeligibility,thepenaltieswillbeselectedfromthefollowing:
A.DisqualificationfromtheNationalChampionshipTournament
B.Issuanceofletter(s)ofcensuretotheindividual(s)and/ortheinstitution(s)inviolation
C. Issuanceofletter(s)ofreprimandtotheindividual(s)and/ortheinstitution(s)inviolation
D.DisallowanceofsweepstakespointsorhonorsachievedattheNationalTournament,
E. Prohibitionfromattendanceatfuturenationalcompetitions.
4. Forviolationsinvolvingconductofacoachand/orajudge,thepenaltieswillbeselectedfromthe
following:
A. Issuanceofletter(s)ofreprimandtotheindividual(s)and/ortheinstitution(s)inviolation
B. Disallowanceofsweepstakespointsfortheinstitution(s)theindividual(s)represents
C. Prohibitionfromattendanceatfuturenationalcompetitions.
pg. 17