Sylvan Smackdown

2025 — Portland, OR/US

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Impromptu Speaking

Event Description:

The events are based on high school events with reduced times and students may use note cards, papers or electronic notes. Students will be able to access the Internet during rounds for all prepared events and parliamentary debate.

!!A student may participate in 1 debate form OR up to two speech events!!

Debate Events:

Public Forum Debate:

2-person team. Teams prepare original cases with evidence for both sides. Teams will be assigned a side on postings.

Topic: Schools should be required to apply for a search warrant before searching student’s backpacks or lockers

Time:

1st Proposition Speaker - 3 min

1st Opposition Speaker - 3 min

Crossfire - 2 min

2nd Proposition Speaker - 3 min

2nd Opposition Speaker - 3 min

Crossfire - 2 min

Common Prep Time - 1 min

1st Proposition Speaker - 2 min

1st Opposition Speaker- 2 min

*Teams can take 2 min prep time in between rounds

Parliamentary Debate

2 person team. Teams will be assigned a side on postings. The proposition will get 3 topics and they will cross one, and the opposition will cross one. Then, the teams prepare their cases in 10 minutes using pen and paper and Internet access with the remaining topic. Use of generative AI tools such as Chat GPT will not be tolerated during rounds, and there will be consequences for any students found to be using AI. During the debate, the opponent can stand to ask a question after the first 30 seconds but before the last 30 seconds. Questioning and/or new arguments in the rebuttals are not allowed.

Times:

1st Proposition Speaker - 3 min

1st Opposition Speaker - 4 min

2nd Proposition Speaker - 4 min

2nd Opposition Speaker - 4 min

1st Opposition Speaker - 2 min

1st Proposition Speaker - 3 min

Individual Events:

Impromptu:

Given three prompts (word, phrase, quote), the student chooses one, prepares for one minute and then speaks for 3 minutes. Grace period of 30 seconds with no minimum time limit.

Interpretive Reading:

The student extemporaneously introduces a theme and then, from a binder, presents a poem, prose, or a mixture to exhibit that theme. 5 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds with no minimum time limit.

Oratory:

Students present a prepared informative or persuasive speech about a topic of their choice. 4 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds with no minimum time limit.

Radio Commentary

Student presents a speech of original news/event/situation commentary dealing with current events of the current school year facing away from the judge and sitting down. Student is not required to memorize the speech but rather encouraged to present as if broadcasting. 2:45 - 3:15 minutes with no grace period.