North Meck

NFL Terms

 

National Forensic League (NFL) – non-partisan, not for profit educational honor society founded in 1925. Its purpose is to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation. A $15.00 fee is required for lifetime membership (The North Meck team pays for this fee). The online address is www.nflonline.org. Your coach or captain will record your points as they earned (through tournament participation or any public speaking engagement). You may also view the standings of other schools and other competitors.

 

Degree – determined by how many NFL points you earn: 25=merit, 75=honor, 150=excellence, 250= Distinction, 500=special distinction, 750=superior distinction, 1000=Outstanding distinction.  Each degree earned is acknowledged by a distinctive seal to be affixed to the membership certificate.  This seal is automatically sent to the coach once a competitor has earned a new degree.

 

The Rostrum – the NFL’s magazine, published monthly during the school year. It includes teaching and learning articles, rule changes, tournament results, district standings, and general NFL news.

 

Insignia Jewels – These jewels are earned when a competitor acquires each new degree. Purchasing the keys and pins which display the “jewel” is optional.  These are not provided free of charge.  Many NFL members display pins on their clothing at tournaments.  It is considered prestigious, by most, to wear one.  It may also be used as an intimidation tactic.

 

            Emerald – Honor degree – 75 points

            Sapphire – degree of Excellence – 150 points

            Ruby – degree of Distinction – 250 points

            Double Ruby – degree of Special Distinction – 500 points

            Triple Ruby – degree of Superior Distinction – 750 points

            Quadruple Ruby – degree of Outstanding Distinction – 1000 points

            Diamond – Coaches receive 1/10th the points earned by their students. 

            A coach attaining 1500 points is awarded a diamond, a second diamond for 3000 points, a third for 6000 points and so on.

 

The NFL Key or Pin – silver for students, gold for instructors – jeweled to mark the degree you have attained.  Purchase is optional. 

 

Supps – Supplemental events offered at the NFL tournament