Coaching Speech
Find coaching and teaching resources for speech events, including public address and interpretation. For more speech resources, visit our resource table.
Resource Access
This collection features resources from a variety of membership levels.
Free: Resources available to all.
Members: Resources available to members logged in and attached to a school with an NSDA membership.
Resource Package Subscribers: Resources available to individuals or teams who are logged in and have purchased a Resource Package with additional tools.
Getting Started
Dive deeper into norms and coaching strategies with content from experts.
Members
Intro to Coaching DI and HI
Members
Intro to Coaching POI
Members
Intro to Coaching Extemp
Free
Intro to Coaching POI
Resource Package Subscribers
Webinar Recordings
Interp
Scripts and Cuttings
Free
Suggested Source Materials
Peruse suggested websites to use in finding source materials for use in competition.
Members
Follow a Script Through the Cutting Process
Dive into the process of putting together a Duo performance from start to finish. This course, geared toward both students and coaches, offers a behind the scenes glimpse at the cutting, blocking, practicing, and performing of a final round Duo.
Members
Demonstration of an Effective Cutting
Work through the process of cutting an Interp step-by-step in this hour-long video!
Free
How to Pick a Piece
Join an expert Interper and coach for an in-depth conversation about searching for a piece, identifying your strengths, and finding the right fit.
Members
Poetry Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Poetry, including a sample annotated cutting and advice from national finalists.
Members
Prose Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Prose, including event basics, sample performances, and advice from National Tournament finalists.
Members
Storytelling Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Storytelling, including event basics, advice for using the chair and selecting a piece, delivery tips, and sample performances.
Practice Tools
Members
Character Checklist
Use this checklist to experiment and track progress in bringing a character to life through their movement, voice, motivations, environment, and more.
Members
Finding the Honest Voice of the Character
Find strategies to break through past “traditional” and “normal” characters to find the unique voice of the characters through this hour-long training.
Free
How to Create a Character
Explore ways to bring complexity and purpose to each character with tips from Samuel L. Jackson.
Members
Program Oral Interp Breakdown
Pick up techniquess from national champion Isabella Royer as she breaks down her 2023 speech.
Members
Original Oratory Breakdown – Esther Oyetunji 2022
Learn strategies and techniques from three-time national champion Esther Oyetunji as she examines her 2022 oration.
Sample Rounds
Members
Dramatic Interpretation
Watch the 2023 Dramatic Interpretation National Tournament final round.
Members
Duo Interpretation
Watch the 2023 Duo Interpretation National Tournament final round.
Members
Humorous Interpretation
Watch the 2023 Humorous Interpretation National Tournament final round.
Members
Poetry Reading
Watch the 2023 Poetry National Tournament final round.
Members
Program Oral Interpretation
Watch the 2023 Program Oral Interpretation National Tournament final round.
Members
Prose Reading
Watch the 2023 Prose National Tournament final round.
Members
Storytelling
Watch the 2023 Storytelling National Tournament final round.
Public Address
Share your message with
3,500 High Schools
600 Middle Schools
5,200 Coaches
140,000 Students
Extend your reach at the Nationals
7,000 Attendees
6,500 Tournament Books are Distributed to Coaches and Teachers
7,000 Access the National Tournament App from their Phone or Device
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Practice Tools
Members
Latest Extemp Questions
Download the Latest Extemp Practice Questions.
Members
Running Practices
Access more than 50 individual drills and practice activities for delivery, prep, strategy, memorization, characterization, movement, and more.
Free
Diversity and Inclusion Extemp Questions
Download more than 50 USX and IX practice questions centered around diversity and inclusion.
Members
Demo Extemp Prep
Join an expert extemper as they narrate their live prep and deliver their speech. Learn how they balance their time, search for evidence, and more.
Free
Extemp Speech Breakdown (Beginner)
Follow the breakdown of a final round Extemp speech to learn more about the components of a speech and decision making in this video.
Free
Extemp Speech Breakdown (Advanced)
Learn advanced Extemp strategies from a two-time national champion in this video.
Members
International Extemp Speech Breakdown
Learn advanced Extemp strategies from a two-time national champion in this video.
Members
Impromptu Starter Kit
Use these notes on event structure, balancing time, and delivery, as well as practice activities and advice from National Tournament finalists to get started with Impromptu.
Members
Declamation Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Declamation, including event basics, advice for cutting and delivery, and sample performances.
Members
Extemp Commentary Starter Kit
Use this guide to get started with Extemp Commentary, including event basics, sample prompts, practice tips, and sample performances.
Free
Informative Speech Breakdown
Learn strategies for Info as two-time national champion Anneteke Adoga breaks down her 2022 speech.
Members
Advanced Informative Speech Breakdown – Anneteke Adoga
Pick up advanced techniquess from two-time national champion Anneteke Adoga as she breaks down her 2022 speech.
Sample Rounds
Members
Commentary
Watch the 2023 Commentary National Tournament final round.
Members
Expository
Watch the 2023 Expository National Tournament final round.
Members
Impromptu
Watch the 2023 Impromptu National Tournament final round.
Members
Informative Speaking
Watch the 2023 Informative Speaking National Tournament final round.
Members
International Extemporaneous Speaking
Watch the 2023 Expository National Tournament final round.
Members
Original Oratory
Watch the 2023 Original Oratory National Tournament final round.
Members
United States Extemporaneous Speaking
Watch the 2023 United States Extemp National Tournament final round.
Classroom Instruction
Members
Start Here: Teaching Public Speaking
Download a semester-long collection of grab-and-go lesson plans and materials designed for students new to public speaking and oral communication.
Members
Start Here: Teaching Middle School Interp
Download a collection of grab-and-go lesson plans and materials designed for students new to Humorous, Dramatic and Duo Interp.
Members
Start Here: Teaching High School Interp
Introduce high school students to HI, DI, and Duo through theme and story arcs in cuttings, characterization and blocking, and much more.
Members
Start Here: Teaching Middle School Program Oral Interp
Combine the skills students learn in public address and interp with ready-to-use lesson plans for middle school Program Oral Interpretation.
Members
Start Here: Teaching Middle School Public Address
Teach middle school students to research, organize, write, and deliver an Informative or Original Oratory.
Free
Middle School Mini Lesson: Writing Introductions
Cover the different components of an introduction and teach students to construct one on their own using these three activities.
Members
Writing a Three-Minute Persuasive Speech
Use this guide to inform an introductory lesson to a three-minute speech or use as a handout.
Resource Package Subscribers
Collaborative POI Unit
Engage students in cutting, blocking, and performing a group POI in this two-week unit.
Free
Speech Progress Chart
Use this tool to track student progress from speech conception to a tournament-ready piece!
Textbooks
Resource Package Subscribers
Original Oratory Textbook
Members
Interpretation Textbook
