How to give a final focus in Public Forum
A final focus is a 2-minute speech that should win you the round. Give the speech you would want the judge to write as the reason for decision, frame the round first, and answer your biggest risk.
Step by step
- Think about the judge’s decision. If you could write the reason for decision, how would it read? Give that speech.
- Frame the round first. What is the highest level of the round? Is there framing or weighing that tells the judge where to look first?
- Find the threats. What is the biggest risk that you lose, and how much time will you give it?
What the speech does
A final focus is a 2-minute speech that should win you the round.
Common mistakes
- Introducing new evidence.
- Repeating the summary word for word.
- Skipping the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a final focus in Public Forum?
Two minutes in the standard NSDA format.
When does the final focus happen?
It is the last speech of the round, after the grand crossfire. The team that spoke first gives its final focus first.
Should the final focus match the summary?
Yes. Stay inside what was said in the summary, because the judge may not weigh arguments that appear for the first time in the final focus.
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Last updated November 2, 2026.