Event Name:

Timing:

What to look for . . .

Dramatic Interpretation

Individual event where students perform a dramatic cutting of a single piece of literature.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized

• no scripts allowed

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, appropriate & purposeful movement

• believability of characters

• comedic timing

• compelling story that follows a clear progression

• duo performers may not touch one another or look at one another (only allowed in intro)

Humorous Interpretation

Individual event where students perform a humorous cutting of a single piece of literature.

Duo Interpretation

Two-person event where students perform a humorous or dramatic cutting of a single piece of literature.

Program Oral Interpretation

Individual event where students perform a program cut from selections of prose/poetry centered around a theme/topic/advocacy.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• uses a manuscript in black competition binder

• quality of the arrangement of literature - coherence, progression of the theme, etc.

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, appropriate & purposeful movement

• use of binder as a prop is allowed

Extemporaneous Speaking

Individual event where students draw 3 questions about current events, then select one, and bring it to the round. Students will take a stance and support it with evidence.

7 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

judge MUST give time signals

• memorized / delivered extemporaneously

• no notes allowed

• clear answer & organizational structure

• nuanced analysis with a variety of cited evidence

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Impromptu Speaking

Individual event where students select a topic and speak with little preparation. The student’s speech may be informative, humorous, or intended to convey an advocacy.

judge provides 3 slips, then begins time after student chooses one

2 min. prep time

3-5 min. speaking

(no grace period)

• memorized / delivered extemporaneously

• no notes allowed

• clear, thoughtful answer, some organization

• supported by commentary, anecdotes, etc.

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Original Oratory

Individual event where the student produces a short speech introducing an issue, problem, solution, and/or advocacy with researched evidence and personal anecdotes.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized (no notes or visual aid)

• clear, thoughtful organization

• balance of research, anecdotes, analysis

• topic is interesting and thoughtfully presented

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Informative Speaking

Individual event where the student produces a short, researched speech informing the audience about a topic of their choosing.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized with no notes

• visual aids are allowed, but not required

• clear, thoughtful organization

• high quantity of well-sourced information

• topic is interesting and thoughtfully presented

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Event Name:

Timing:

What to look for . . .

Expository

Individual event where the student produces a short, researched speech to describe, clarify, illustrate, or define an object, idea, concept, or process.

5 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized (no notes or visual aid)

• clear, thoughtful organization

• topic is interesting and thoughtfully presented

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Children’s Literature

Individual event where students select a published story from children’s literature that conveys a theme and retell it.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• uses a script

• students may use a chair (to sit in or as a prop)

• should capture the “spirit” of the literature

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Declamation

Individual event open to 9th and 10th graders only. Students deliver a previously-published speech.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized (no script)

• should capture the “spirit” of the original speech or reinvent it in some way

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Novice Reading

Individual event open to first-year competitors only. Students select any published work (other than a play) and read the work dramatically.

10 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• uses a script

• should capture the “spirit” of the literature

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Storytelling

Individual event generally open to first-year competitors only. Students select a published story from children’s literature that conveys a theme and retell it.

5 min. max

(w/ 30 sec. grace)

• memorized (no script)

• should capture the “spirit” of the literature

• vocal control, variety, projection, enunciation, eye contact, movement, etc.

Event Name:

Timing:

What to look for . . .

Congressional Debate

CD is individual debate in a large-group setting. Each tournament publishes a packet of legislation. Students role play as members of Congress and debate the aff/neg of the bills while following parliamentary procedure.

Speeches are 3 min. each (w/ 15 sec. grace)

2 min. of questioning after the very first speaker on the topic; 1 min. of questioning per speaker after that.

Each “session” will last 2-3 hours.

• personal bias is not relevant

• a clear stance in the speech

• credible, cited evidence

• “clash” and rebuttal

• general speaking style, eye contact, posture, & clarity (more important in CD than other forms of debate)

• strong answers to questions

Public Forum Debate

PF is 2 vs. 2 debate around a resolution that changes each month, generally a controversial issue. Each round begins with a flip of a coin; the winner chooses either pro/con or 1st/2nd speaker.

Speaker 1: 4 min.

Speaker 2: 4 min.

Crossfire (1 & 2): 3 min.

Speaker 3: 4 min.

Speaker 4: 4 min.

Crossfire (3 & 4): 3 min.

Speaker 1 Summary: 3 min.

Speaker 2 Summary: 3 min.

Grand Crossfire (all): 3 min.

Speaker 3 Summary: 2 min.

Speaker 4 Summary: 2 min.

Each team gets up to 3 min. of prep time; Crossfire: questions asked by both sides, alternating, person who did not just speak has first question

• burden of proof: which team has been the most clear and persuasive on the topic?

• style: PF should be accessible to any non-specialist citizen

• strong logic & reasoning that advocates a clear position, gives reasons why, and supports with evidence

• quality & depth of argument

• quality of evidence & analysis

• speaking style & clarity

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

LD is 1 vs. 1 debate around a resolution that changes each month, generally a philosophical / moral issue. Students debate both the aff/neg of the resolution, predetermined at the start of the round.

Aff: 6 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Neg: 7 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Aff: 4 min.

Neg: 6 min.

Aff: 3 min.

Each person gets up to 4 min. of prep time

Cross-Ex: questions only asked by person who did not just speak

• burden of proof: which debater has proven his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general philosophical principle?

• style: LD is more technical; debaters deal w/ hypotheticals

• a clear value & value criterion

• strong logic & reasoning that advocates a clear position, gives reasons why, and supports with evidence

• speaking style & clarity

Policy Debate

CX is 2 vs. 2 debate around a resolution that calls for policy change by the U.S. government. The affirmative will present a plan, and the negative will either negate the resolution itself, negate the affirmative’s plan, or offer a counterplan (competing plan).

Aff: 8 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Neg: 8 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Aff: 8 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Neg: 8 min.

Cross-Ex: 3 min.

Neg: 5 min.

Aff: 5 min.

Neg: 5 min.

Aff: 5 min.

Each team gets up to 8 min. of prep time

Cross-Ex: questions only asked by team who did not just speak

• burden of proof: which debaters offer better implementation?

• judges can decide off of “stock issues” - disadvantages vs. advantages, solvency (can it happen?), harms, inherency (is it already happening?), topicality (does this fit the spirit of the resolution?)

• style: CX is more technical, but arguments should still be clear and evidence-based