How to Qualify for the California State Speech & Debate Tournament

How does the California Speech & Debate Circuit Work?

The California Speech & Debate Circuit is known as the California High School Speech Association State Championship (CHSSA). CHSSA is divided into four regions: Area 1 (Northern California), Area 2 (Northern Central California), Area 3 (Los Angeles/Ventura), and Area 4 (Southern California). Each region holds their own set of competitive tournaments, which you can find under the appropriate region on Tabroom.

When and Where are CHSSA Tournaments?

CHSSA local tournaments typically occur on the weekends (occasionally including Friday) from late September to early May and occur all throughout the state. Each region within CHSSA holds their own state qualification tournament as well as independent local tournament. To qualify for the CHSSA state tournament, you must attend the state qualifier tournament and reach deep elimination rounds.

What competitive events does the California Speech & Debate State Tournament offer?

The California Speech & Debate State Tournament offers the following events for competition: Congressional Debate, Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, Domestic & International Extemporaneous Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Declamation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Original Advocacy, Original Prose Poetry, Parliamentary Debate, and Program Oral Interpretation.

How to Qualify for the CHSSA State Tournament for Each Event?

Each region is allotted a certain number of minimum entries for qualification to the CHSSA State Tournament (the specifics per event group are detailed below). In addition, there is an opportunity for a region to earn bonus entries to a particular event based on how much a particular region contributes to the CHSSA via membership fees. For example, if area one contributes 32% of the CHSSA membership fees total, they will receive 32% of the bonus entries for a particular event. To qualify for the CHSSA State Tournament, you must reach elimination rounds in your particular event and reach the associated competitive level.

How to Qualify for Speech Events

For Individual Events (Speech IEs), there is a maximum size of fifty six (56) entries per event. Each of the four regions will contribute eight (8) competitors/teams. The remaining seventeen (17) entries will be decided based on a pre-set CHSSA membership fees formula as mentioned above. Each region has multiple leagues under it and the director of that region distributes the qualifier slots to each league based on entry counts and other factors. The remaining seven entries will be distributed evenly (one a piece) to the leagues that are ranked highest in overall competition and associated sweepstakes.

How to Qualify for Debate Events

For Debate events, there is a maximum size of sixty four (64) entries per event. Each of the four regions will contribute fourteen (14) teams. The remaining fourteen entries will be distributed based on high-performing leagues. This is determined based on the amount of leagues that average two (2) wins in the four preliminary rounds at a previous state tournament. Each league that meets this threshold will be offered one additional entry and any remaining entries will be distributed to the remaining highest performing leagues overall.

How to Qualify for Congressional Debate

For Congressional Debate, there is a maximum size of ninety (90) entries per event. Each of the four regions will contribute twenty one (21) delegates. Each league will contribute one (1) presiding officer, contributing to an overall total of twelve (12). The remaining six entries will be distributed based on high-performing leagues. The remaining seven entries will be distributed evenly (one a piece) to the leagues that are ranked highest in overall competitive results and associated sweepstakes.

How to Prepare 

If you’ve read all the way until here, you have started to wonder: how do I prepare? There are multiple ways to do so, from running practice rounds with your teammates and other members of your community to spending countless hours revising your scripts to ensure that they are ready for competition. What’s important is that you remain consistent! 

Outside of working with your peers, receiving consistent coaching is key to success. A great option can be programs like Civic Debate Academy’s National Debate Club, which provides access to a team of students with similar goals, robust coaching, preparation materials, and practice rounds. If you want to learn more, click here!