NSDA Speech Evaluator Rules V2026

1. Competition Event

Original Oratory Rules
  • Maximum Time: 10:00 mins
  • Grace Period: 30 seconds
  • Direct Quotations: Max 150 words
  • Manuscript / Binder: Memorized
  • Visual Aids: Not Permitted

2. Speech Audio Input

Drag and drop audio file here

Supports WAV, MP3, M4A, OGG or browse files
speech_draft.mp3 03:00
Size: 4.2 MB
✓ Audio Input Loaded
00:00.0
Click to start recording microphone

3. Speech Audio 0:00 / 0:00

Provide audio file or recording to visualize waveform
0:00

4. Speech Transcript

Recognition Idle
Words: 0 | Characters: 0
Quoted: 0 / 150 words

5. Vocal Emotion Suggestion

Side-by-side emotional comparison: what your voice expressed (left column) vs. the SLM-recommended script emotion (right column).

Pending Given Audio's Emotions
Provide speech audio to analyze expressed voice emotions.
Select Event Correct Script Emotions
Select an event and enter speech transcript to compute script emotion targets.
Acoustic Voice Profile
No audio analyzed yet.
Vocal Delivery Suggestions
Vocal tips will appear here once audio and script are analyzed.
Vocal Emotion Heatmap Key
Sorrow & Grief (Gray)
Anger & Frustration (Red)
Joy & Wonder (Green)
Anxiety & Fear (Amber)
Nostalgia (Purple)
Relief & Acceptance (Blue)

6. NSDA Competition Evaluation Dashboard

0% Pending
Ballot Rank: -
Speech Duration
0:00 / 10:00
No audio provided
Delivery Pacing
0 WPM
Provide transcript
Verbal Fillers
0 Count
Filler Ratio: 0%

NSDA Rules Compliance

  • Duration within limit & grace period
  • Quotes word count limit (Max 150 words)
  • Pacing rate is competition-appropriate
  • Verbal fluency (Filler word ratio < 2%)

Rhetorical Structure Analysis

  • Attention-Getter / Hook in introduction
  • Clear Central Thesis statement
  • Roadmap / Signposted preview
  • Cohesive transitions between main points
  • Strong conclusion & memorable call to action

National Speech & Debate Association

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT COMPETITION FEEDBACK BALLOT

Event Category:
Evaluation Date:
Speech Duration:
Time Limit Rules:
Average Delivery Pace:
Pacing Rating:
Quoted Words Count:
Rules Compliance:
Tournament Scoring Rubrics
Scoring Category Competitor Score Standard Range Rubric Definition
Vocal Delivery & Pacing 1.0 - 10.0 Vocal clarity, speed, projection, volume adjustments, filler word mitigation.
Content & Rhetorical Quality 7.0 / 10 1.0 - 10.0 Topic significance, thesis statements, evidence structure, citation accuracy, conviction.
Organization & Structure 1.0 - 10.0 Attention-getting hook, roadmap signposts, transition flows, and memorable conclusion calls.
Overall Evaluation Score
Vocal Emotion & Rhetorical Expression Comparison
Existing Emotion / Tone (Detected) Expected Emotion / Tone (NSDA Guideline)
Official Ballot Comments & Judge Recommendations
Tournament Judge Signature
Contestant Signature Code

NSDA Unified Rules Summary

PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENTS
Original Oratory (OO)

A persuasive speech written by the student that attempts to convince or inspire. Maximum duration: 10 minutes (600s) + 30s grace. Exceeding 10:30 prevents a 1st-place rank. No more than 150 words of direct quotations allowed. Memorized (off-book). Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

Informative Speaking (INF)

An informative speech written by the student designed to explain or describe a topic. Maximum duration: 10 minutes (600s) + 30s grace. No more than 150 quoted words allowed. Memorized (off-book). Visual Aids: Permitted (Optional 2D/3D props up to 30s setup time; no live animals or weapons).

Declamation (DEC)

Delivery of a speech previously given by another public figure, preceded by an original student intro. Maximum duration: 10 minutes + 30s grace. Open to 9th/10th grade or middle school. Memorized (off-book). Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

Expository Speaking (EXP)

A 5-minute original informative speech explaining a topic or process. Maximum duration: 5 minutes (300s) + 30s grace. Memorized (off-book). Visual Aids: Permitted (Optional visual aids allowed).

LIMITED PREPARATION EVENTS
United States Extemporaneous Speaking (USX)

Contestants draw a question on US domestic policy, prepare for 30 minutes, and deliver a 7-minute speech (+30s grace). Key rules: 5-10 oral news citations required. Delivered from memory or brief notes. Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

International Extemporaneous Speaking (IX)

Contestants draw a question on foreign affairs and international policy, prepare for 30 minutes, and deliver a 7-minute speech (+30s grace). 5-10 oral news citations required. Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

Impromptu Speaking (IMP)

Contestants have a total of 7 minutes (+30s grace) combined for both preparation and speaking on a drawn prompt (quote, word, abstract topic). Delivered from brief notes. Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

INTERPRETATION EVENTS
Dramatic Interpretation (DI)

Solo performance of a single published dramatic script. Maximum duration: 10 minutes + 30s grace. Memorized (off-book). Focus on character vocal splits, dramatic pacing, emotional depth. Visual Aids/Props: Not Permitted.

Humorous Interpretation (HI)

Solo performance of a single published humorous script. Maximum duration: 10 minutes + 30s grace. Memorized (off-book). Focus on comedic timing, character popping, and physical comedy. Visual Aids/Props: Not Permitted.

Duo Interpretation (DUO)

Two-person performance of published literature. Maximum duration: 10 minutes + 30s grace. Off-stage focal point (no direct eye contact except intro), no physical contact permitted. Visual Aids/Props: Not Permitted.

Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

Multi-genre thematic program interweaving selections from at least TWO of Prose, Poetry, Drama. Maximum duration: 10 minutes + 30s grace. Handheld Manuscript Binder REQUIRED. Visual Aids: Not Permitted (except manuscript binder).

Prose Interpretation (PROSE)

Performance of published prose literature (short story, novel excerpt, essay). Maximum duration: 5 minutes + 30s grace. Handheld Manuscript Binder REQUIRED. Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

Poetry Interpretation (POETRY)

Performance of published poetic literature (single poem or collection). Maximum duration: 5 minutes + 30s grace. Handheld Manuscript Binder REQUIRED. Visual Aids: Not Permitted.

NSDA Speech Evaluator

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