Speech Events
Impromptu (IMP): Impromptu
is a great starting point for anyone interested in the Short Prepe events,
Memorized events, or debate. This event
is for those anyone who wants to learn to speak on their feet. IMP students walk into a round and the judge
hands them a quote or a cartoon – You get an index card and three minutes to
prepare a speech. Then you get up, and
need to speech for no less than 3 min. –
but no more than 5 min. This event
focuses on studying up on society, planning, thinking, and great speaking
skills. Impromptu speeches follow a
regular three point structure in order to make the best use of the short
preparation time.
Extemporaneous (EXT): This
event is similar to IMP but students choose a current event topic each round
and have 30 min. to prepare a 5 to 7
min. speech. They prepare the speech
using a prepared file of available articles from magazines and internet sources
that is brought along to each tournament.
A great event to prepare anyone for the workplace, this event is for
people who know or want to learn about current events and the world.
Original Oratory (OO): This
event is persuasive. Students write
their own speech, which should contain factual evidence from other sources to
support their position. The speech is memorized, and may last up to 10 minutes. This is a great event for those individuals
who have a message to share. This event
stresses force of personality, ease of movement, believability, and passion.
Memorized Public Address (MPA): This
event is for students who appreciate the inspiration words of others. This events takes a speech (either serious or
humorous) previously given to a public audience. Commencement speeches, addresses to the
nation, etc., are the most commonly used.
Students also write their own analysis of the speech. Students are encouraged to move, and both the
speech and analysis must be memorized
and be no more than 10 minutes. This
event requires some showmanship, but also focuses on how well you can become
another person.
Expository (EXPOS): This
event is for people who like to know and explain how stuff works, and are
visual people. This events is an
informative speech, which focuses on the history, workings, mystery, process,
etc. of just about anything. Students also write this speech on their own,
and must create visual aids. The visual
aids are usually poster boards, but students may have pieces that come off,
flip up, spin, etc. – this is the most creative event. The speech is memorized, and up to 10 minutes in length.
Humorous Interpretation: These three events are
for the actors. Students take a script
from a
Serious Interpretation: movie, play, story,
poem, song lyrics, etc. and perform their
Duo Interpretation: interpretation of the piece for an
audience. HOI, SOI, and DUO students are
allowed to move but not use props or costumes.
In DUO, students work with a partner on a humorous or serious selection,
but may not make eye contact with other or touch. These events stress facial expression,
accents, range of voice, and energy, and let students participate in the roles
of actor, director, playwright, stage manager, and producer. Up to 10 min. memorized.
Debate Events
Legislative Debate (LEGI): This
event is meant to simulate the United States Legislature. Each month, students are given two current
events issues (one national and one international) and draft bills, write
speeches, and learn about the issues.
After a bill is presented, speakers given brief impromptu speeches in
support or against a bill, and the body votes to pass the bill. This event lasts for 75 minutes each round, although you won’t be speaking for the
entire round. You are judged on how well
you spoke and how well you argued.
Legislative Debate is a good event that is part speech / part debate.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD): This
event is an individual debate event and focuses on moral issues. Students are given a new topic every month
and must write a case supporting the moral dilemma, and one condemning it. Before every round students find out if they
are debating the affirmative (for) or the negative (against) so students must
be able to defend both sides of the issue effectively. Skills focus on the ability to respond to
whatever issues their opponent brings up, and tap into background knowledge to
win the case. This event has a novice division for new students, and one for
returning students.
Public Forum (PF): This
event is one of the two team debate events, and focuses on current events and
public policy. Partners trade off
speaking and while one is speaking, or an opponent is speaking, students keep
track of points and evidence to be prepared to present their argument. The topic is set for the month and students
must be prepared to defend the issue or go against it. Students flip a coin in each round to
determine which side they will be debating.
Policy Debate (PD): This
event requires a commitment to hard work, but can be very rewarding. Policy debate is also a team event, and
operates similar to PF, except that students must also present a great deal of
evidence to support their claims. This
requires a lot of behind the scenes work – but is a chance to go in depth and
become an expert on a topic! This event
has a novice division for new students, and one for returning students.
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The Policy Debate topic for the 2017 – 2018 school year is: Resolved, the United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States -