PHS SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT GUIDE
BY DEVEN ROYCHOWDHURRY, PF CO-CAPTAIN

How to Dress:

1. Boys:
   1. PF/Speech: Button down with slacks, preferably a tie and jacket, dress shoes.
   2. LD: Can dress more casual, but still look presentable. 
2. Girls:
   1.  PF: Slacks or a skirt and a blouse/nice shirt, nice shoes (flats or heels are good). It's not necessary, but the majority of people wear black and white. 
   2. LD: Can dress more casual, but still look presentable. 

What to Bring:

1. Laptop and charger
2. Phone and charger
3. Printouts of cases (optional but recommended)
4. Paper and pens for flowing
5. For nationals, bring comfortable clothes for when you are at the hotel
6. $20-30 for snacks and drinks (more for Nationals)
7. Water bottle (so you don't die during rounds)
8. Speech: Binders for prose/poetry (pieces must be photocopied)

How Tournaments Work:

1. Schematics will be posted online or on paper prior to every round. (Nationals are usually on Tabroom and locals are usually on paper.)
2. Report to rooms 15 min early. Wait until judge arrives or the previous round ends to enter.
3. We all arrive together and often designate a place to congregate between rounds and meet at after the tournament is over. Check the WeChat group for details during a tournament.

Round Etiquette:

1. Always be respectful to opponents - don't interrupt them during speeches and don’t make faces during the round.
2. Be especially respectful and kind to the judge, even if you lose. You never know if they will judge you again.
3. Speak clearly and at an appropriate volume. Do not yell.
4. Never give up in the middle of the round, judges are unpredictable.
5. Always shake your opponents’ hands after the round. Only shake the judge’s hand after the round if your opponents do first.
6. Let your opponents speak during crossfire.  It can come off as very rude if you don’t give them the chance to speak and you may lose speaker points.
7. If you want to preflow, do so before the round. It is rude to make your opponents and the judge wait for you preflow. 

If you have any questions, you can contact any of the officers or captains or ask in the Slack group. Have fun!​