Debate Events
Lincoln/Douglas Debate
This popular one-on-one style of debating covers a variety of different topics. Propositions of value are debated with the emphasis on developing logical argumentation rather than an accumulation of information. You will learn values analysis, analytical skills, sound and ethical uses of persuasion, and clear audience centered communication. You will have the opportunity to debate several topics during the school year.
Student Congress
This is individual debate in a large group setting. Legislative debaters research and write pieces of Congressional legislation that they feel will better the society in which we live. At a tournament, debaters will then speak on the legislation while using proper parliamentary procedure. Judges score each competitor based on argumentation ability, speaking technique, knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and overall participation.
Public Forum Debate
Public Forum Debate is a two-on-two audience friendly style of debate. You and a partner will debate controversial issues that are “stripped” from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be announced the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org. A Public Forum Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your side and speaker position. Public Forum will test your skills in argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation.
International Extemp
A contestant draws three questions on a foreign topic, selects one, and then has 30 minutes to prepare an answer to the question. The contestant utilizes a set of files that he or she has built as a resource for answering the question. Only published materials may be used as resources (books, magazines, newspaper, and on-line resources). At the completion of the 30 minute preparation time, the student will speak on the topic for 7 minutes.
U.S. Extemp
A contestant draws three questions on a domestic topic, selects one, and then has 30 minutes to prepare an answer to the question. The preparation, resources, and speech time is the same as International Extemp.
Speech Events
Original Oratory
As orator you will be expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to your audience, about a topic you have chosen. Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. Your oration may simply alert the audience to a threatening danger, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation.
Dramatic Interpretation
This is an individual category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10 minutes which includes an introduction.
Humorous Interpretation
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Duo Interpretation
This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Prose interpretation
A non-memorized event in which competitors choose a published piece of work that is not poetry or drama and interpret it. The piece should be cut to no more than 10 minutes (with an additional 30 second grace period, the use of which incurs no penalty). In each round of competition the competitors will read their pieces (along with a brief introduction that should be memorized and is also counted for time). They read their pieces in the order specified by the schematic, or they will draw for order.
Poetry Interpretation
A non-memorized event in which competitors choose a published piece of poetry. The event consists of an interpretation of another author’s work. Competitors read the material from a small binder or book they use in performance. Because competitors interpret the literature via facial expressions and eye contact, memorization is generally helpful. Time limits for these events range from six to ten minutes, depending on the organization hosting the event.
Impromptu/Improv
Both are on the spot events in which the competitor is given a topic. The topic can be anything. In impromptu it is usually a quote, but topics can range from a single word (cow) to a prompt (I went to the market and…). Competitors are given 7 minutes to break up any way they choose (3 minutes prep/4 minutes performance, vice versa). In impromptu competitors give a speech that lasts within their chosen time for performance with a 30 second grace period. For improv, one creates a skit, almost like an HI or DI, that lasts the given amount of time. Skits/speeches must focus on the topic at hand, and should be well-prepared with a beginning, middle, and end.
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Speech Events v2
Prose Interpretation*
Prose is a written book or short story cut down to a seven to ten minute selection that has a beginning, middle, and end. The performer uses a binder in which their personal “cutting” is referenced, but not read. It may be humorous or dramatic.
Poetry Interpretation*
Poetry may be a selection of poems which are by the same author or centered on a similar topic or it may be a singular long poem. In either case, it should be between five to ten minutes. A binder is used for reference.
Declamation*
The competitor memorizes a seven to ten minute selection of a pre-existing speech and performs it.
Impromptu Speaking*
The competitor is handed three separate topics and is told to pick one. The performer then gives a short speech on the topic. There are seven minutes that can be split up into any combination of preparation time and speaking time. Impromptu speeches do not require any sources. They are intended to give an opinion on the topic they are speaking on.
Improvisational Acting
The competitor is handed three separate topics and is told to pick one. Then, they are to give a short performance or skit which has the topic as the central theme. There are seven minutes of time given that may be split up into any combination of preparation time and performing time. Unlike impromptu speaking, improvisational acting consists of portraying [a] character[s].
Humorous Interpretation
A script, short story, or novel that is portrayed with elements of humor emphasized that is cut to seven to ten minutes. Multiple characters may be portrayed by the single performer.
Dramatic Interpretation
A script, short story, or novel that is portrayed with elements of drama emphasized that is cut to seven to ten minutes. Multiple characters may be portrayed by the single performer.
Duo Interpretation
An event that involves two people portraying a script, short story, or novel cut to seven to ten minutes. The performers cannot make direct eye contact or touch. It may be humorous or dramatic.
Original Oratory
A ten minute speech that is written and memorized by the performer on the topic of their choice. Oratories generally involve some type of general problem that requires a solution rather than a merely informative speech.
*an awesome choice for novices
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