National Speech and Debate Tournament
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The National Forensic League's National Speech and Debate Tournament (also called the "National Speech Tournament", referred to by forensics competitors as "Nationals" or simply "Nats") is a week-long championship forensics competition held annually in early June. It is hosted in a different part of the United States every year, although it tends to be hosted in cities that are amenable to the large influx of students and coaches, and have reasonably-priced accommodations.
Competitors qualify to the National tournament by placing in the top spots at NFL District Tournaments. The number of competitors in each event in each district determines the number of competitors that will qualify to the national tournament from that event.
In addition to the regular speech events referenced on the NFL page, the National tournament also features a number of secondary events for competitors eliminated from the regular competition before the end of the tournament, including Extemporaneous Commentary, Impromptu Speaking, and Expository Speaking.