This is an association that brings together students and teachers throughout the state to experience a fellowship in rigorous speech & debate competitions. These tournaments are held on the weekends between September and mid-February.
Interpretation Events
• Humorous Interpretation (H.I.)
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature.
Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10minutes which includes an introduction.
• Dramatic Interpretation (D.I.)
This is an individual event. The selections are dramatic in
nature. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10
minutes which includes an introduction.
• Duet Acting (Duet)
This is a 2-person event where the selection is either humorous or dramatic in nature.
Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10
minutes which includes an introduction.
• Duo Interpretation (Duo)
This is a 2-person event. Partners cannot look or touch one another and must have an
offstage focus. The selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10 minutes which includes an introduction.
• Prose & Poetry (PR & PO)
These are 2 distinct categories. Students read a 7-minute selection from a binder that is
either humorous or dramatic. You will need to provide your own small black binder and
plastic covers. They can be purchased at Office Depot.
Speech Events
• Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking (DX)
A student draws 3 questions on a domestic topic, selects one, then has 30 minutes
to prepare an answer. At the completion of the 30 minutes, the student will speak on the topic for 7 minutes. You will need to provide a legal pad. Competitors are expected to keep up to date with American politics and government issues.
• Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking (FX)
A student draws 3 questions on a foreign topic, selects one, and then has 30 minutes to
prepare an answer. At the completion of the 30 minutes, the student will speak on the topic for 7 minutes. You will need to provide a legal pad. Competitors are to keep up to date with politics and governmental issues.
• Original Oratory (OO)
Participants research, write, and perform an original speech based on a topic of their choice
for 10 minutes. There must be a degree of originality. The speech must be presented in an
interesting manner and with some profit to the audience. The participant has a free of choice of subject.
• Informative Speaking (INF, INFO)
A 10-minute memorized speech on a topic of the students choosing with the help of non-electric visual aids
• Impromptu Speaking
A student draws 3 questions, and selects one, on any short subject, sometimes a quote, a pop culture reference, or a lighthearted topic. Typically speakers have 30 seconds to choose their topic, 2 minutes to brainstorm their answer and 5 minutes to deliver their speech.
Debate Events
• Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD)
This is a 1 on 1 debate. Propositions of value are debated with the emphasis on developing
logical argumentation.
• Cross-Examination Debate (CX)
Two partners debate both sides of a proposition for the entire season. This debate
focuses on constructive argument, cross examination, and refutation.
• Student Congress
This event involves an individual debate in a large group setting. Debaters’ research and give speeches on mock congressional legislation.