What is Speech & Debate?
 

Lake Travis High School Speech & Debate is part of the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization in the country. Through NSDA membership, our students gain access to a nationwide community, resources, and the opportunity to earn points toward national recognition and qualification to the NSDA National Tournament, the most prestigious stage for high school competitors.

​

In addition to NSDA, our team competes locally and regionally through two Texas-based circuits:

​

Texas Forensic Association (TFA): A statewide organization that governs qualifying tournaments leading to the TFA State Tournament, one of the most competitive state championships in the country.

 

J.W. Patterson Tournament of Champions (TOC) is the premier national and international high school speech and debate championship held each April at the University of Kentucky, where participation is earned by securing qualifying “bids” from elite tournaments across the country.

​

Together, these affiliations ensure that Lake Travis students are challenged at the highest levels, whether they are preparing for local tournaments, the Texas state championship, or national competition. The diagram below explains the types of events offered, from debate formats to public speaking and interpretation events, so students can find the area that inspires them most.