The Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association welcomes submissions related to the instruction, practices, development, critique, and research regarding speech activities that reflect the educational vision of the PSCFA.

The goal of the paper competition is to facilitate scholarly discussion among forensic educators, administrators, and students for the purpose of advancing the educational values and practices of intercollegiate forensics. The PSCFA is interested in innovative research — well-designed studies, thoughtful critiques, suggestions for special issues, and other forms of scholarly writing regarding speech activities are all welcomed.

There will be two divisions:

• Undergraduate Division
• Post-Graduate Division

Any undergraduate paper co-authored by a post-graduate will be entered in the post-graduate division. Up to five submissions from each division will be invited to present at the Coaches Conference in September 2026. Papers will be adjudicated by a committee appointed by the PSCFA President.

Awards & Stipends:

• Undergraduate students will be offered up to a $100 stipend to offset the cost of attending the conference.
• The top undergraduate paper will receive a $250 scholarship and an invitation to present before awards at the PSCFA Fall Championships.

The appointed committee will consider manuscripts using any appropriate methodology. Submissions are welcome from coaches, faculty, and students.

The PSCFA uses a blind peer review policy. The President and an appointed committee of invited reviewers will evaluate all manuscripts.

Please follow these formatting guidelines:

• Type the manuscript double-spaced throughout, including block quotations, notes, and references.
• Follow any established style guide: APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard.
• To ensure blind review, avoid self-references within the manuscript body.
• Include a separate title page with: author name(s), academic titles, institutional affiliations, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, manuscript history, and division (undergraduate or post-graduate).
• The second page must contain an abstract of no more than 100 words.
• The text begins on the third page and should include the title at the top of the page.

Authors are expected to follow the review guidelines established by their institution’s research review board for any studies involving human subjects.