To keep things fair and structured, each speech has a set time limit with a30-second graceperiod:
●Original Oratory (OO):
o Elementary: 3 minutes
o Middle School: 5 minutes
o High School: 10 minutes
●Declamation: 3 minutes (same as Elementary OO)Going over the grace period may lead to point deductions, as decided by the judges. Plan your speech to fit the time!
为了保证比赛的顺利进行，每场演讲都有固定时间限制，并有30秒的宽限期：
●原创演讲（OO）：
o 小学组：3分钟
o 初中组：5分钟
o 高中组：10分钟
●经典演说：3分钟（与小学组原创演讲相同）超出宽限期可能导致扣分，由评委决定。合理规划你的演讲时间哦！
All rounds are silent—judges won’t share results or give verbal feedback during the competition. Instead, you’ll get detailed feedback and scores on written ballots after each round.
所有轮次都是无声的——评委不会在比赛中公布结果或提供口头反馈，选手将在每轮结束后收到书面评分表，包含详细反馈和评分。
In the final rounds of Original Oratory, each speaker will answer one question from the judges about their speech. Here’s how it works:
- The judge announces the question.
- You get 30 seconds to prepare.
- You have up to 2 minutes to respond.
在原创演讲决赛轮，每位演讲者需回答评委提出的一个与演讲相关的问题。流程如下：
- 评委宣布问题。
- 你有30秒准备时间。
- 你最多有2分钟回答。
We take academic honesty seriously. Plagiarism or other dishonest practices may lead to disqualification from the tournament, and in serious cases, a ban from future NHSDLC events. If you suspect plagiarism, report it to an NHSDLC staff member ASAP. You can use quotes or materials from other sources, but they must be clearly cited in your script with these limits:
- High School: Up to 150 words
- Middle School: Up to 100 words
- Elementary: Up to 50 words
抄袭或其他不端行为可能导致取消比赛资格，严重情况下可能禁止参加未来NHSDLC赛事。如怀疑抄袭，请尽快向NHSDLC工作人员报告。你可以使用其他来源的引文或材料，但必须在稿件中清晰注明出处，字数限制如下：
- 高中组：最多150字
- 初中组：最多100字
- 小学组：最多50字
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate content for Original Oratory is strictly prohibited. We’ll randomly check scripts during and after the tournament. If AI-generated content exceeds 70%, we may revoke any awards. Craft your speech with your own ideas and voice!
严禁在原创演讲中使用人工智能（AI）生成内容。比赛期间和结束后我们会随机检查演讲稿。若AI生成内容超过70%，我们可能撤销获奖资格。用你自己的想法来创作演讲吧！
You can’t reuse speeches from past school years. Every speech must be newly written for the current school year.
我们禁止参赛选手重复使用往年的演讲稿。每篇演讲稿必须为本学年全新创作。
To ensure a fair judging process, submit your speech draft byFriday before the tournament. Late or missing submissions may result in lower scores, as judges use these drafts to assess your preparation and rule compliance. Get your draft in on time to show your best!
为确保评判公平，请根据要求在比赛前的周五提交演讲稿。迟交或不提交演讲稿可能导致较低评分，因为评委也需要根据稿件评估你的演讲质量。按时提交，展现最佳表现！
Arrive at the classroom on time to keep the tournament running smoothly. Being late by 15 minutes or more without a valid reason will result in an automatic forfeit. If you have a scheduling conflict or emergency, reach out to NHSDLC staff before the round or as soon as possible to let us know.
请准时到达比赛教室，以确保赛事顺利进行。无正当理由迟到15分钟或以上将自动判负。如遇赛程冲突或紧急情况，请在比赛轮次开始前或尽快联系NHSDLC工作人员告知情况。
During the elimination rounds, eliminated contestants may choose to observe matches in the competition room, subject to the consent of both competing participants and the judge. In the Grand Finals, all contestants, parents, and accompanying teachers are permitted to remain in the auditorium to spectate.
在淘汰赛阶段，已淘汰选手可以选择前往比赛教室观赛，但必须征得双方比赛选手和裁判的同意。在决赛阶段所有选手，家长，带队老师都可以留在报告厅内观赛。
NHSDLC fully respects the judges' decisions, and all decisions are final. Please respect the judges and listen to their feedback and suggestions, as their opinions are intended to help you improve. In debates, we expect everyone to focus more on how to enhance their arguments, expression, or strategies. Focus on growth, not outcomes.
NHSDLC充分尊重裁判的裁决结果，裁判的裁定即为赛事最终结果，请尊重裁判并倾听他们的反馈与建议，他们的意见是为了帮助你进步。在辩论中，我们期望大家更注重思考如何提升论点、表达或策略。关注成长，而非结果。
【竞赛报名/项目咨询+微信：mollywei007】
