Congressional Debate

Congress, while functional debate, is just as significantly role playing. Take the role. Serve the part. This increases professionalism and individuality within the round. I prefer quality over quantity and communication must be elemental to the round. It the quality here blended with unique arguments that leads to clash.

Theatrical Individual Events - DI/HI/Duet/DUO/POI/Prose/Poetry

Be in the moment. Engage your judge and audience. Be confident. Perform with focus on your verbal presentation blended with your physicality. I look for proper inflection, diction, and enunciation alongside other elements of characterization. Balance your time with the story arc you are attempting to establish - help me visualize your character's world and the thematic meaning you are highlighting. Have you created a reflection of the mood and essence intended by the author(s)? Be sure to include an appropriately crafted introduction. I enjoy a well designed teaser before entering into your introduction. In partner events the introduction should be equally balanced. I equally enjoy well crafted settings through movement and pantomime. Throughout the round remain respectful of the performances in your room.

Forensic Individual Events - OO/INF/USX/IX

A professional presentation is anticipated ranging from mannerisms within your speech towards vocabulary choice, organization, handling of presentation topic (this includes props in Informative) to general presentation techniques of pace, diction, projection and general enunciation. I look for a well developed and organized concept supported by appropriate evidence, statistics, and personal anecdotes. A balanced use of time in appreciated as your present your introduction, points and conclusion. Inform, persuade and entertain. I enjoy effective use of rhetorical devices. This includes both historical and pop cultural allusions, alliteration and the rule of three. Sound devices enhance the quality of a presentation and make your statements memorable. Eye contact shows confidence. Rhetorical situations should include the full rhetorical square and nit simply the triangle - use ethos, pathos, logos and kairos.