Speech and Debate Events 4 Categories, 17 Events, SO MANY Options!
CATEGORY 1: THE INTERPRETATION EVENTS Budding actors take note! This category involves acting out short "cuttings" from published plays, novels, short stories, and poems. You’re the director casting agent, and actor(s)! You can perform as one or more characters, and can even sing if you want. Most interp events are performed solo, but this is the only category besides debate that also offers a partner event (Duo). No props, costumes, scenery, or other stage materials are ever allowed. Time limit: 10 minute max, no minimum time, but 8:30+ is suggested.
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION a.k.a. "DI" Present a cutting from a dramatic play, monologue, or prose, playing one or many characters yourself! Use of body (gestures, appropriate audience / eye contact. etc.) to suggest character is encouraged. Recommendation: Use one or just a few characters.
HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION a.k.a. "HI" Present a cutting from a humorous play, monologue, or prose, playing one or many characters yourself! Use of body (gestures, appropriate audience / eye contact. etc.) to suggest character is needed. Recommendation: Play more than one character and use vocal sound effects and body movements that seem outrageous! Energy is VITAL!
PROGRAMMED ORAL INTERPRETATION a.k.a. "POI" Present three prepared pieces (poems, cutting from short stories, plays, etc.) connected by a theme of your choice. Add an introduction to provide a better understanding of the performance. A small binder with the pieces must be held in hand(s) at all times. Recommendations: Balance humor & drama. You MUST relay a theme/lesson, not simply a topic (e.g. 'Love' is not a theme; 'Love is found in surprising relationships' is a theme). Use the binder creatively as a prop.
DUO INTERPRETATION a.k.a. "Duo" or "Duo Interp" Two students perform, each portraying one (or more) character(s) from a play or published work. The selection may be humorous, dramatic, or both. No body or eye contact is allowed; focus is offstage. Physical movement is planned/choreographed. Recommendations: Choreograph movements for 'polish'. Intricate staging is key.
ORATORICAL INTERPRETATION a.k.a. "OI" Choose, memorize, and present a published speech which has been presented by a real person in front of an audience (not one from literature or movies). Student will write an introduction which includes the speaker's name, place, date and purpose of the original speaker's delivery. (You portray your interpretation of the words - this is NOT imitation). Recommendation: Choose a speech that speaks to you. It should be inspirational or have a message.
CATEGORY 2: THE PLATFORM / ORIGINAL EVENTS (1st three are also known as “Platform Speeches”) Do you ever-wish you could change the world? In this category, you speak your mind to do just that! YOU choose a topic, write and present a speech to inspire, inform, persuade, and generally move the minds and/or hearts of your audience. Time Limit: 10 minute maximum, no minimum time, but 8:30+ is suggested
ORIGINAL ORATORY a.k.a. "OO" YOU write an original speech to share your thoughts designed to challenge your audience's views on a topic, ideally inspiring a change in attitude or heart of the audience and/or society. Sample Topics: Save the Environment; Appreciate the USA; Vote Responsibly; Overcome Your Fears
ORIGINAL ADVOCACY a.k.a. "OA" Write an original, persuasive speech which presents a problem and proposes a legislative solution from a governmental body or controlling organization. The solution will include a change in law or policy and may or may not outline a plan for implementation.
EXPOSITORY a.k.a. "Expos" and "Informative" Write an original speech meant to inform your audience on a topic of your choosing. Research your topic and present information in a creative and engaging way. Winning speeches use creative, often interactive visual aids, and are presented with a component of entertainment and humor.
ORIGINAL PROSE AND POETRY a.k.a. "OPP" For the author or playwright inside of you! In this event you write your own material that you then perform. You may write a story, poetry or script. Can be humorous or dramatic or both... whatever you want, then performed as any interp.
CATEGORY 3: THE SPONTANEOUS EVENTS Would you like to become an expert at speaking on the spot? Do you hate doing the same thing over and over? These speeches involve picking three topics out of an envelope, choosing the one topic you like most, and presenting a speech on it with a short preparation time.
IMPROMPTU a.k.a. "Imp" Topics include ordinary objects, quotations, abstract ideas, etc. You are given three topics to choose from. Once you choose one, you have two (2) minutes to plan/prepare and then you give a speech of 5 minutes. Think of your speech like a 5 paragraph essay with an intro, 3 body points and a conclusion.
EXTEMPORANEOUS - 2 EVENTS NATIONAL a.k.a. "National Extemp / NX / USX" and INTERNATIONAL a.k.a. "International Extemp / IX" For those of you who know, or want to learn about, current events. Both Extemp events work like Impromptu, except: 1. The topics are current events - national or international depending on which event you are competing in (NX or IX) 2. You have 30 minutes to prepare (instead of 2) 3. You will reference materials during prep, and ideally, mention sources during your speech 4. The speech is 7 minutes long
CATEGORY 4: THE DEBATES Do you you like to argue? Do you enjoy a good intellectual discussion? In this category, you build and defend your position and argue your points to make your side to be stronger!
CONGRESS a.k.a. "Cong" Here you get to play the part of a Congressperson in the 'houses' of approximately 15 students. Topics are 'bills' or 'resolutions' which are published 2-4 weeks before the competition so everyone can research and prepare. Congresspersons take turns speaking for or against the issue for 3 minutes or less and then field questions from the group for 1 minute.
PARLIAMENTARY a.k.a. "Parli" Based on England's legislative system, this is spontaneous debate for teams of 2. Debate teams get the topics at the competition 20 minutes before speaking in each round. During the tournament you will have 4 debates, each with a new topic and opposing competitors, and compete on both pro and con sides, alternating each round.
PUBLIC FORUM a.k.a. "PF" A partner debate with a new topic each month. Teams research and prepare for both sides of the debate ahead of time to be able to debate both for ('affirmative' / 'aff') and against ('negative'/ 'neg') the topic. Sides are determined by coin flip in each round of competition.
LINCOLN DOUGLAS a.k.a. "LD" This is a one-on-one debate that changes topics every two months. The debate is more of a value debate than the others, meaning the debaters are for and against the issues based on values, such as freedom vs. national security. Competitors research and prepare ahead of time and will debate both for ('affirmative' / 'aff') and against ('negative' / 'neg') the debate topic during each competition.
POLICY a.k.a. "Team Debate" In this most classic and structured of the debate events, there is one topic that is researched and debated for the entire year. This 90 minute, partner debate includes a constructive case, cross-examination, and refutation.