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→Debate: I added the past and current NCFCA resolutions, and citations. I also made a number of minor changes to fix various errors in the page. The past resolutions are particularly helpful to have on this page since NCFCA no longer has a page on their website with all past resolutions.
m clean up, typo(s) fixed: 2022-2023 → 2022–2023 (2)
 
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{{Short description|U.S. speech and debate league}}
{{Short description|U.S. speech and debate league}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{COI|date=June 2024}}
{{notability|date=June 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League
| name = NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League
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The '''Christian Speech & Debate League''', also known as the '''National Christian Forensics and Communications Association''', is a [[Individual events|speech]] and [[debate]] league for Christian students in the United States. The NCFCA was established in 2001 after outgrowing its parent organization, the [[Home School Legal Defense Association]] (HSLDA), which had been running the league since it was originally established in 1995. NCFCA is now organized under its own board of directors with regional and state leadership coordinating various tournaments throughout the season.
The '''Christian Speech & Debate League''', also known as the '''National Christian Forensics and Communications Association''', is a [[Individual events|speech]] and [[debate]] league for Christian students in the United States. The NCFCA was established in 2001 after outgrowing its parent organization, the [[Home School Legal Defense Association]] (HSLDA), which had been running the league since it was originally established in 1995. NCFCA is now organized under its own board of directors with regional and state leadership coordinating various tournaments throughout the season.

Since 2001, the NCFCA seeks to provide students with the opportunity to apply and communicate their worldview with skill and clarity through competitive debate. The mission of the organization is to "challenge and equip ambassadors for Christ to communicate truth with integrity and grace." As a Christian organization, NCFCA's statement of faith is the [[Nicene Creed]]. NCFCA claims that "...their training and competition will provide a supportive opportunity for them to apply a biblical worldview to real-life issues."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosa|first=Natalia|date=2020-09-09|title=NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League|url=https://ncfca.org/|access-date=2021-07-26|website=ncfca.org|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Structure of the organization==
==Structure of the organization==
The NCFCA is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization. Tournaments are run by volunteers, who are usually parents, club directors, and league officials in the area. The judging pool includes parents of competitors, NCFCA alumni, and members of the community. Coaches also serve as judges on a volunteer basis. The NCFCA is governed by a board and divided into eleven regions. Each region has a regional coordinator and each state has a representative.
The NCFCA is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization. Tournaments are run by volunteers, who are usually parents, club directors, and league officials in the area. The judging pool includes parents of competitors, NCFCA alumni, and members of the community. For moot court, the judging pool includes parents of competitors and members of the community with experience in law (e.g. attorneys, judges). Coaches also serve as judges on a volunteer basis. The NCFCA is governed by a board and divided into fourteen regions. Each region has a regional coordinator and each state has a representative.


=== Regional Qualifiers and Regional Championship ===
===National Opens===
Each region hosts three "regional qualifiers," open to all competitors competing in Lincoln-Douglas, Team Policy, and speeches, between January and April. Competitors who advance from preliminary rounds to elimination rounds at any regional qualifier earn a slot at the regional championship, usually between April and May. Each region is allocated a certain number of national slots for a debate or speech event, according to the number of competitors nationally and regionally in a given event. As of the 2023 - 2024 season, there were 800 slots given out nationally for speech, and 120 slots for debate.
Additionally, a certain number of national invitational slots are awarded each year at competitions known as National Opens. Currently, each national open awards two nationals slots for every individual speech event and debate event and four slots for moot court. These are large tournaments held mostly at colleges or large convention centers and are open to the entire nation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rhetoric team to participate in Texas National Open Tournament|newspaper=Huntsville Item|date=2 March 2008|url=http://itemonline.com/local/x212543609/Rhetoric-team-to-participate-in-Texas-National-Open-Tournament?keyword=topstory}}</ref> Qualifying at a National Open tends to be more difficult than a regional qualifying tournament because of their increased size.


===Size===
National opens since 2005:
During the 2022–2023 season, there were roughly 3,000 students participating, making the NCFCA the third largest national high school speech and debate league after the [[National Speech and Debate Association]] and the [[National Catholic Forensic League]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCFCA {{!}} Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://ncfca.org/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
*'''2005:''' California National Open (San Diego, CA); Colorado National Open (Colorado Springs, CO)<ref name="ncfca1">[http://www.ncfca.org/NationalOpenResults] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116215931/http://www.ncfca.org/NationalOpenResults|date=November 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncfca.org/competition-results/past-seasons-results/|title=Past Seasons' Results|website=NCFCA|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608001818/http://www.ncfca.org/competition-results/past-seasons-results/|archive-date=2016-06-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''2006:''' California National Open (San Diego, CA); Tennessee National Open (Jefferson City, TN); Colorado National Open (Colorado Springs, CO)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2007:''' Washington National Open (Seattle, WA); Ohio National Open (Cedarville, OH); Texas National Open (Houston, TX)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2008:''' Virginia National Open (Virginia Beach, VA); Colorado National Open (Colorado Springs, CO); Texas National Open (Houston, TX)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2009:''' Texas National Open (Houston, TX); Alabama National Open (Trussville, AL)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2010:''' Texas National Open (Houston, TX); Massachusetts National Open (Wenham, MA); Colorado National Open (Denver, CO)<ref name="ncfca1" />
*'''2011:''' Texas National Open (Houston, TX); Georgia National Open (Lookout Mountain, GA)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2012:''' Texas National Open (Houston, TX); Illinois Open (Joliet, IL); Washington Open (Spokane, WA)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2013:''' Alabama National Open (Montgomery, AL); Massachusetts National Open (Wenham, MA)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2014:''' Idaho National Open (Nampa, ID); Minnesota National Open (St. Paul, MN); North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC)<ref name="ncfca1" /><ref name=":0" />
*'''2015:''' North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC); Massachusetts National Open (Wenham, MA); Idaho National Open (Nampa, ID)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-08-19|title=National Christian Forensics and Communications Association - NCFCA N…|url=http://www.ncfca.org/index.cfm?i=12690&mid=7&nid=82367|access-date=2021-05-25|website=archive.ph|archive-date=2014-08-19|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140819225549/http://www.ncfca.org/index.cfm?i=12690&mid=7&nid=82367|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
*'''2016:''' California National Open (San Diego, CA); North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC); Oklahoma National Open (Shawnee, OK); Wisconsin National Open (Oshkosh, WI)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncfca.org/competition-results/current-seasons-results/|title=Current Season's Results|website=NCFCA|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427133250/http://www.ncfca.org/competition-results/current-seasons-results/|archive-date=2016-04-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''2017:''' Washington National Open (Spokane, WA); Massachusetts National Open (Wenham, MA); and North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC).
*'''2018:''' Wisconsin National Open (Oshkosh, WI) and North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC).
*'''2019:''' North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC).
*'''2020:''' North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC) and Kentucky National Open (Louisville, KY).
*'''2022:''' North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC).
*'''2023:''' North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC).
*'''2024:''' Online National Opens, North Carolina National Open (Black Mountain, NC), Minnesota National Open (St. Paul, MN), Idaho National Open (Post Falls, ID), Texas National Open (Fort Worth, TX)

===National Mixers===
National Mixers debuted in the 2017–2018 season and have been recalled for the 2022–2023 season. Mixers are competitions, now mostly online, incorporating competitors from two or more regions. They were officially known as March Mixer, because they only occurred in the month of March. As national level tournaments, they hosted moot court, but they only gave out one national championship slot in each individual event and debate event and two slots in moot court. In the first year, there were eight March Mixers, all occurring in the first two weeks of March. There was a mixer in a city inside every region except 1 and 3 (which are much smaller than the other eight regions). Because of the large number of mixers and their close proximity in time, most competitors went to only the mixer closest to their home in the first year even though they could technically attend any mixer in the country.

As of the 2022–2023 NCFCA season, there were two online Moot Court national mixers and one online national mixer. Mixers between two or more individual regions happened throughout the season, from January into March.

===Competition===
During the 2022-2023 season, there were roughly 38,000 students participating, making the NCFCA the third largest national high school speech and debate league after the [[National Speech and Debate Association]] and the [[National Catholic Forensic League]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCFCA {{!}} Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://ncfca.org/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Speech==
==Speech==
The NCFCA offers ten [[individual events]] for speech from three categories: Platform (memorized, 10-minute speeches), Interpretation (short interpretations of written works), and Limited Preparation (impromptu or limited preparation speeches).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncfca.org/?i=12690&mid=1000&id=311927 |title=Competition Results |website=Ncfca.org |access-date=2016-01-17}}</ref> The rules for each of these events are published in the Speech Guide each season.
The NCFCA offers ten [[individual events]] for speech from three categories: Platform (memorized, 10-minute speeches), Interpretation (short interpretations of written works), and Limited Preparation (impromptu or limited preparation speeches).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncfca.org/?i=12690&mid=1000&id=311927 |title=Competition Results |website=Ncfca.org |access-date=2016-01-17}}</ref> The rules for each of these events are published in the Speech Guide each season.


==Debate and Moot Court==
Competitors may only compete in five out of the ten events at a given tournament.
The NCFCA offers two types of debate: [[policy debate|Team Policy Debate]], [[Lincoln-Douglas debate format|Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate]], as well as [[Moot court|Moot Court]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Home schoolers from four states to debate at local church|author=Ida Brown|url=http://meridianstar.com/local/x681098537/Home-schoolers-from-four-states-to-debate-at-local-church|newspaper=Meridian Star|date=9 January 2008}}</ref> The NCFCA discourages the use of overly complicated theory and extremely fast talking (also known as "[[Spreading (debate)|spreading]]"), instead encouraging effective communication of complex topics to lay judges.<ref>[http://www.ncfca.org/files/NCFCA/Mission%20and%20Philosophy/NCFCA%20Philosophy%20of%20Judging%20rev%208-11.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414224121/http://www.ncfca.org/files/NCFCA/Mission%20and%20Philosophy/NCFCA%20Philosophy%20of%20Judging%20rev%208-11.pdf|date=April 14, 2012}}</ref>

At qualifier tournaments, competitors compete in three rounds of speech and are judged by three judges. Afterwards, the top competitors enter into elimination rounds.

As of the 2023-2024 NCFCA season, these events are:

* ''Platform:'' Persuasive, Informative, Digital Presentation
* ''Interpretation:'' Duo Interpretation, Open Interpretation, Biblical Thematic, Original Interpretation
* ''Limited Preparation:'' Apologetics, Extemporaneous, Impromptu

From 2002 to 2007 and 2013–2014, the NCFCA also provided a different '''Wildcard event''' each season:
*The 2002–2003 Wildcard was Duo Impromptu. Two competitors would randomly draw three pieces of paper with the words for a person, place, and thing. Then they would have four minutes to prepare a five-minute skit incorporating all three nouns.
*The 2003–2004 Wildcard was Impromptu Apologetics. It was later renamed Apologetics and has become a standard NCFCA event.
*The 2004–2005 Wildcard was Oratorical Interpretation. The competitor would interpret a famous and/or historical speech.
*The 2006–2007 Wildcard was Thematic Interpretation. Competitors select several pieces of literature and weave them around a common theme. Thematic interpretation became a standard event for the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 seasons but was retired in July 2011, and became a standard event again for the 2013–2014 season.
*From 2007 to 2012, there were no new Wildcard events.
*The 2013–2014 Wildcard was [[After-dinner speaker|After-Dinner Speaking]], a sort of humorous, persuasive or informative speech.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncfca.org/IEEventDescriptions |title=Speech and Debate Competition |website=Ncfca.org |date= |access-date=2016-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729180945/http://www.ncfca.org/IEEventDescriptions |archive-date=2014-07-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The 2018–2019 wildcard event was Biblical Thematic. Competitors select several pieces of literature, including one biblical selection exceeding 300 words, and weave them around a common theme. Biblical interpretation became a standard event for the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 season.
*The 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 wildcard event was Humorous Interpretation. Similar to Open Interpretation in both speech structure in execution, Humorous Interp. requires competitors to interpret a published literary selection with elements of humor, and allows for a self-authored introduction or conclusion.
*The 2023-2024 wildcard was the reintroduction of Original Interpretation and the removal of After Dinner Speeches.

==Debate==
The NCFCA offers three types of debate: [[policy debate|Team Policy Debate]], [[Lincoln-Douglas debate format|Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate]], and [[Moot court]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Home schoolers from four states to debate at local church|author=Ida Brown|url=http://meridianstar.com/local/x681098537/Home-schoolers-from-four-states-to-debate-at-local-church|newspaper=Meridian Star|date=9 January 2008}}</ref> The NCFCA discourages the use of overly complicated theory and extremely fast talking (also known as "[[Spreading (debate)|spreading]]"), instead encouraging effective communication of complex topics to lay judges.<ref>[http://www.ncfca.org/files/NCFCA/Mission%20and%20Philosophy/NCFCA%20Philosophy%20of%20Judging%20rev%208-11.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414224121/http://www.ncfca.org/files/NCFCA/Mission%20and%20Philosophy/NCFCA%20Philosophy%20of%20Judging%20rev%208-11.pdf|date=April 14, 2012}}</ref>


At tournaments, competitors speak in six rounds and are judged by one judge in preliminary rounds. In elimination rounds, competitors are judged by three judges and are judged by five judges in the qualifier tournament final.
At tournaments, competitors speak in six rounds and are judged by one judge in preliminary rounds. In elimination rounds, competitors are judged by three judges and are judged by five judges in the qualifier tournament final.


* ''Team Policy (TP):'' A policy-centered debate, with rounds typically lasting 90 minutes. Two teams of two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative arguing for a reform to the system and the Negative arguing against it. The debate is set by a resolution that is published before a season starts. The resolution for the 2023 - 2024 season states that "the United States Federal Government shall significantly reform its domestic transportation policy implemented by the Department of Transportation".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Office |date=2022-05-10 |title=2022-2023 Debate Resolutions Announced {{!}} NCFCA |url=https://ncfca.org/resources/2022-2023-debate-resolutions-announced/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The resolution is voted on by competitors and alternates between domestic and international policy.
* ''Team Policy (TP):'' A policy-centered debate, with rounds typically lasting 90 minutes. Two teams of two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative arguing for a reform to the system and the Negative arguing against it. The debate is set by a resolution that is published before a season starts. The resolution for the 2024–25 season centers around reforming U.S. foreign policy towards Central America.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Office |date=2022-05-10 |title=2022-2023 Debate Resolutions Announced {{!}} NCFCA |url=https://ncfca.org/resources/2022-2023-debate-resolutions-announced/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The resolution includes input from competitors and typically alternates between domestic and international policy.
* ''Lincoln-Douglas (LD):'' A value-centered debate, with rounds lasting around 45 minutes. Two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative affirming the validity of the resolution and the Negative negating it. As in Team Policy, the debate is governed by a resolution affirming one value above another. The resolution for the 2023 - 2024 season states that "rationalism should be valued above empiricism".<ref name=":1" />
* ''Lincoln-Douglas (LD):'' A value-centered debate, with rounds lasting around 45 minutes. Two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative affirming the validity of the resolution and the Negative negating it. As in Team Policy, the debate is governed by a resolution affirming one value above another. The resolution for the 2024 - 2025 is "in combat, the use of automation ought to be valued above the use of military personnel."<ref name=":1" />


== Debate resolutions ==
NCFCA resolutions are chosen annually by affiliate families through a voting process. The Debate Committee proposes three resolution options, and each family is allowed one vote per each style of debate.

=== '''Team Policy Resolutions''' ===
'''2023-2024''': Resolved: [[Federal government of the United States|The United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform its domestic transportation policy implemented by the [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosa |first=Natalia |date=2020-10-11 |title=Join The Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://ncfca.org/join-the-league/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''2022-2023''': Resolved: The [[Federal government of the United States|United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform its import and/or export policies within the bounds of international trade.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-29 |title=Join The Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929111110/https://ncfca.org/join-the-league/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2021-2022:''' Resolved: The [[Federal government of the United States|United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform its policies regarding convicted prisoners under federal jurisdiction.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Join The Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627202218/https://ncfca.org/join-the-league/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2020-2021:''' Resolved: The [[European Union]] should substantially reform its [[immigration policy]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-26 |title=Join The Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626145315/https://ncfca.org/join-the-league/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2019-2020:''' Resolved: The [[Federal government of the United States|United States Federal Government]] should substantially reform its [[energy policy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-21 |title=Team Policy - NCFCA |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221141510/http://www.ncfca.org/debate/team-policy/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2018-2019:''' Resolved: The [[Federal government of the United States|United States Federal Government]] should substantially reform its foreign policy regarding international [[terrorism]].

'''2017-2018:''' Resolved: The United States should significantly reform its policies regarding [[higher education]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2018-02-24 |title=NCFCA {{!}} Debate |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224105118/http://www.ncfca.org/what-we-do/speech-and-debate-competition/debate |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2016-2017:''' Resolved: The [[Federal government of the United States|United States Federal Government]] should substantially reform its policies toward the People's Republic of China.

'''2015–2016:''' Resolved: That the United States Federal Court system should be significantly reformed.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2014-09-08 |title=National Christian Forensics and Communications Association - |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908012508/http://www.ncfca.org/?i=12690&mid=1000&id=311960 |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2014–2015:''' Resolved: The United States should significantly reform its policy toward one or more countries in the [[Middle East]].<ref name=":6" />

'''2013–2014:''' Resolved: That [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] [[election law]] should be significantly reformed in the United States.<ref name=":6" />

'''2012–2013:''' Resolved: The [[United Nations]] should be significantly reformed or abolished.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2014-07-30 |title=National Christian Forensics and Communications Association - |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730045913/http://www.ncfca.org/PastResolutions |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2011–2012:''' Resolved: The [[United States Government|United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform its [[criminal justice system]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2010–2011:''' Resolved: That the [[United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform its policy toward [[Russia]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2009–2010:''' Resolved: That the [[United States Federal Government]] should significantly reform [[Environmental policy of the United States|its environmental policy]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2008–2009:''' Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly change [[India-United States relations|its policy]] toward [[India]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2007–2008:''' Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should substantially change [[United states nationality law|its policy]] on [[illegal immigration]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2006–2007:''' Resolved: That the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) should be significantly reformed or abolished.<ref name=":7" />

'''2005–2006:''' Resolved: That [[medical malpractice]] law should be significantly reformed in the United States.<ref name=":7" />

'''2004–2005:''' Resolved: That the United States should change [[Energy policy of the united states|its energy policy]] to substantially reduce its [[United States oil politics#US dependence on foreign oil|dependence on foreign oil]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2003–2004:''' Resolved: That the United States federal government should significantly change its policy toward one or more of its [[Protectorate|protectorates]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2002–2003:''' Resolved: That the United States should significantly change [[Trade policy of the United States|its trade policy]] within one or more of the following areas: The [[Middle East]] and [[Africa]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2001–2002:''' Resolved: That the United States federal government should significantly change [[Agricultural policy of the United States|its agricultural policy]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2000–2001:''' Resolved: That the United States should significantly change its [[immigration]] policy.<ref name=":7" />

'''1999–2000:''' Resolved: That the [[Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] should be repealed and replaced with an [[Tax reform|alternate tax policy]].<ref name=":7" />

'''1998–1999:''' Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially change the rules governing federal [[Campaign finance in the United States|campaign finances]].<ref name=":7" />

'''1997–1998:''' Resolved: That [[United States Congress|Congress]] should enact laws which discourage the [[Relocation service|relocation]] of U.S. businesses to foreign countries.<ref name=":7" />

'''1997–1998:''' Resolved: That the United States should change its [[Foreign policy of the United States|rules]] governing [[Overseas interventions of the United States|foreign military intervention]].<ref name=":7" />

=== '''Lincoln Douglas Resolutions''' ===
'''2023-2024''': Resolved: rationalism should be valued above empiricism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosa |first=Natalia |date=2020-10-11 |title=Join The Christian Speech & Debate League |url=https://ncfca.org/join-the-league/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=ncfca.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''2022-2023''': Resolved: The individual right to property ought to be valued above the economic interest of the community.<ref name=":2" />

'''2021-2022:''' Resolved: In the context of innovation, the proactionary principle ought to be valued above the precautionary principle.<ref name=":3" />

'''2020-2021:''' Resolved: In democratic elections, the public's right to know ought to be valued above a candidate's right to privacy.<ref name=":4" />

'''2019-2020:''' Resolved: Preventive war is ethical.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-21 |title=Lincoln-Douglas Value - NCFCA |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221211748/http://www.ncfca.org/debate/lincoln-douglas-value/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>

'''2018-2019:''' Resolved: When in conflict, governments should value fair trade above free trade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Durland |first=Harrison |date=2018-07-16 |title=Topic Analysis: NCFCA LD Resolution 2018-19 (“Free Trade” vs. “Fair Trade”) |url=https://www.ethosdebate.com/topic-analysis-ncfca-ld-resolution-2018-19-2/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Ethos Debate, LLC |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''2017–2018:''' Resolved: Nationalism ought to be valued above globalism.<ref name=":5" />

'''2016–2017:''' Resolved: [[Rehabilitation (penology)|Rehabilitation]] ought to be valued above [[Retributive punishment|retribution]] in criminal justice systems.

'''2015–2016:''' Resolved: When in conflict, the right to individual privacy is more important than [[national security]].<ref name=":6" />

'''2014–2015:''' Resolved: In the realm of economics, freedom ought to be valued above equity.<ref name=":6" />

'''2013–2014:''' Resolved: [[National security]] ought to be valued above [[Freedom of the press]].<ref name=":6" />

'''2012–2013:''' Resolved: That [[Government|governments]] have a [[moral obligation]] to assist other [[Nation|nations]] in need.<ref name=":7" />

'''2011–2012:''' Resolved: In the pursuit of [[justice]], [[due process]] ought to be valued above the [[Discovery (law)|discovery]] of fact.<ref name=":7" />

'''2010–2011:''' Resolved: A government's [[Legitimacy (political)|legitimacy]] is determined more by its respect for [[popular sovereignty]] than [[individual rights]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2009–2010:''' Resolved: That [[competition]] is superior to [[cooperation]] as a [[Means (ethics)|means]] of achieving [[excellence]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2008–2009:''' Resolved: When in conflict, [[idealism]] ought to be valued above [[pragmatism]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2007–2008:''' Resolved: That the United States of America ought to more highly value [[isolationism]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2006–2007:''' Resolved: [[Democracy]] is overvalued by the United States government.<ref name=":7" />

'''2005–2006:''' Resolved: That the [[News media|media]]'s right to [[Protection of sources|protect confidential sources]] is more important than the public's right to know.<ref name=":7" />

'''2004–2005:''' Resolved: That the restriction of [[civil rights]] for the sake of [[national security]] is justified.<ref name=":7" />

'''2003–2004:''' Resolved: That when in conflict, cultural unity in the United States should be valued above [[cultural diversity]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2002–2003:''' Resolved: That [[human rights]] should be valued above national [[sovereignty]].<ref name=":7" />

'''2001–2002:''' Resolved: That the restriction of [[Economic freedom|economic liberty]] for the sake of the [[general welfare]] is justified in the field of [[agriculture]].<ref name=":7" />

==National Championship locations==
*'''1998''': [[Home School Legal Defense Association]] – Purcellville, Virginia
*'''1999''': [[Home School Legal Defense Association]] – Purcellville, Virginia
*'''2000''': [[Point Loma Nazarene University]] – San Diego, California
*'''2001''': [[Santa Clara University]] – Santa Clara, California
*'''2002''': [[Blackman High School]] – Murfreesboro, Tennessee
*'''2003''': [[Cedarville University]] – Cedarville, Ohio
*'''2004''': [[Liberty University]] – Lynchburg, Virginia
*'''2005''': [[Point Loma Nazarene University]] – San Diego, California
*'''2006''': [[Patrick Henry College]] – Purcellville, Virginia
*'''2007''': [[University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]] – Belton, Texas
*'''2008''': Berry Middle School – Birmingham, Alabama
*'''2009''': [[Bob Jones University]] – Greenville, South Carolina
*'''2010''': [[Regent University]] – Virginia Beach, Virginia
*'''2011''': [[Gordon College (Massachusetts)|Gordon College]] – Wenham, Massachusetts
*'''2012''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|Northwestern College]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2013''': [[Oral Roberts University]] – Tulsa, Oklahoma
*'''2014''': [[Patrick Henry College]] – Purcellville, Virginia
*'''2015''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2016''': [[Oklahoma Baptist University]] – Shawnee, OK
*'''2017''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2018''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2019''': [[Anderson University (South Carolina)|Anderson University]] - Anderson, South Carolina
*'''2020''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota (the 2020 national championship was canceled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]] concerns)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncfca.org/ncfca-season-cancellation-notice/ |title=NCFCA Season Cancellation Notice|date=March 21, 2020|website=National Catholic Forensic League|access-date=October 11, 2020}}</ref>
*'''2021''': [https://ncfca.org/nationals Online] (the 2021 national championship was held virtually due to COVID-19 concerns)
*'''2022''': [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2023:''' [[Northwestern College (Minnesota)|University of Northwestern]] – St. Paul, Minnesota
*'''2024:''' Anderson University – Anderson, South Carolina


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 01:44, 27 November 2024

NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League
Formation1995[1]
HeadquartersMountlake Terrace, Washington, United States[2]
Websitencfca.org

The Christian Speech & Debate League, also known as the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association, is a speech and debate league for Christian students in the United States. The NCFCA was established in 2001 after outgrowing its parent organization, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), which had been running the league since it was originally established in 1995. NCFCA is now organized under its own board of directors with regional and state leadership coordinating various tournaments throughout the season.

Structure of the organization

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The NCFCA is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization. Tournaments are run by volunteers, who are usually parents, club directors, and league officials in the area. The judging pool includes parents of competitors, NCFCA alumni, and members of the community. For moot court, the judging pool includes parents of competitors and members of the community with experience in law (e.g. attorneys, judges). Coaches also serve as judges on a volunteer basis. The NCFCA is governed by a board and divided into fourteen regions. Each region has a regional coordinator and each state has a representative.

Regional Qualifiers and Regional Championship

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Each region hosts three "regional qualifiers," open to all competitors competing in Lincoln-Douglas, Team Policy, and speeches, between January and April. Competitors who advance from preliminary rounds to elimination rounds at any regional qualifier earn a slot at the regional championship, usually between April and May. Each region is allocated a certain number of national slots for a debate or speech event, according to the number of competitors nationally and regionally in a given event. As of the 2023 - 2024 season, there were 800 slots given out nationally for speech, and 120 slots for debate.

Size

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During the 2022–2023 season, there were roughly 3,000 students participating, making the NCFCA the third largest national high school speech and debate league after the National Speech and Debate Association and the National Catholic Forensic League.[3]

Speech

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The NCFCA offers ten individual events for speech from three categories: Platform (memorized, 10-minute speeches), Interpretation (short interpretations of written works), and Limited Preparation (impromptu or limited preparation speeches).[4] The rules for each of these events are published in the Speech Guide each season.

Debate and Moot Court

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The NCFCA offers two types of debate: Team Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate, as well as Moot Court.[5] The NCFCA discourages the use of overly complicated theory and extremely fast talking (also known as "spreading"), instead encouraging effective communication of complex topics to lay judges.[6]

At tournaments, competitors speak in six rounds and are judged by one judge in preliminary rounds. In elimination rounds, competitors are judged by three judges and are judged by five judges in the qualifier tournament final.

  • Team Policy (TP): A policy-centered debate, with rounds typically lasting 90 minutes. Two teams of two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative arguing for a reform to the system and the Negative arguing against it. The debate is set by a resolution that is published before a season starts. The resolution for the 2024–25 season centers around reforming U.S. foreign policy towards Central America.[7] The resolution includes input from competitors and typically alternates between domestic and international policy.
  • Lincoln-Douglas (LD): A value-centered debate, with rounds lasting around 45 minutes. Two competitors form the 'Affirmative' and 'Negative' sides to the debate, with the Affirmative affirming the validity of the resolution and the Negative negating it. As in Team Policy, the debate is governed by a resolution affirming one value above another. The resolution for the 2024 - 2025 is "in combat, the use of automation ought to be valued above the use of military personnel."[7]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Global Debate Blog". Debate.uvm.edu. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  2. ^ [1] Archived April 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "NCFCA | Christian Speech & Debate League". ncfca.org. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  4. ^ "Competition Results". Ncfca.org. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  5. ^ Ida Brown (9 January 2008). "Home schoolers from four states to debate at local church". Meridian Star.
  6. ^ [2] Archived April 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b Office (2022-05-10). "2022-2023 Debate Resolutions Announced | NCFCA". ncfca.org. Retrieved 2023-03-18.

http://iew.com/

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