Description of Events
LIMITED PREPARATION SPEECHES
Students competing in Limited Preparation Speeches are given a topic and a short amount of time to prepare a speech during a competition round. Not knowing the topic beforehand, competitors quickly analyze a topic, develop a thesis, and prepare supporting materials while they are in a tournament room.
Impromptu Speaking
Impromptu Speaking is a limited preparation event. Competitors are given two possible topics to speak on. The students have two minutes to think and make notes about the topic followed by five minutes to present an informative or persuasive speech. Topics may be single words, phrases, quotes, or questions.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking is a limited preparation event. Topics are drawn from current events. The topics focus on any topic in domestic, international, business, or entertainment and culture news. Competitors are given two possible topics and twenty minutes to prepare a speech. During the preparation time, competitors may use any physical or digital news clippings they have brought. Extemporaneous Speeches are seven minutes long and are supported with verbal citations.
Belief and Values Limited Preparation
Belief and Values Limited Prep is a limited preparation event designed to give students a safe place to express their own beliefs and values in answer to a variety of questions pertaining to philosophy, religion, American values, or the human condition. Competitors are given two possible topics and two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech. During preparation time, competitors may use physical note cards they have prepared in advance. The topics will be randomly chosen from a pre-published bank of questions. Competitors should cite specific sources to support their position.
PLATFORM SPEECHES
Platform Speeches are written, memorized, and presented by the competitors. Because students prepare their Platform Speech scripts throughout the season, they are able to present topics they care deeply about and have researched well. American Speech and Debate believes that young people have voices that matter and perspectives that are needed in the public forum. Platform Speeches give students the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Original Oratory
Original Oratory is a platform speech. It is a ten-minute speech written, memorized, and presented by the competitor. Because students prepare their Original Oratory speech scripts throughout the season, they are able to present topics they care deeply about and have researched well. The topic is entirely of the competitor’s choosing. The speech may seek to inform, inspire, or persuade the judges. It may be serious or humorous in tone.
Digital Presentation
Digital Presentation is a platform speech. It is a ten-minutes speech on any topic and is written, memorized and presented by the competitor. Digital Presentation may include visual support from a device. PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides or other presentation software may be used to create the visual portion of the speech.
INTERPRETATION SPEECHES
Interpretation Speech competitors choose a published piece of literature, cut the work into a presentation, act all the roles, and direct all the action. Interpretation Speeches provide substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. American Speech and Debate values classic literature and works with high literary merit. Interpretation Speeches give competitors the opportunity to present those works in a dynamic, entertaining way.
Duo Interpretation
Duo Interpretation is a literary interpretation event in which two competitors choose a published piece of literature, cut the work into a presentation, act out all the roles, and direct all the action. Duo Interpretation provides substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. Duo Interpretation gives competitors the opportunity to present classic literature and works with high literary merit in a dynamic, entertaining way. Duo Interpretation Speeches may be dramatic or humorous in tone.
Open Interpretation
Open Interpretation is a literary interpretation event in which the competitor chooses a published piece of literature, cuts the work into a presentation, acts out all the roles, and directs all the action. Open Interpretation provides substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. Open Interpretation gives competitors the opportunity to present classic literature and works with high literary merit in a dynamic, entertaining way. Open Interpretation Speeches may be dramatic or humorous in tone.
DEBATE
Debate provides an opportunity for competitors to logically argue topics in a respectful manner.
Team Policy Debate
Team Policy Debate is also known as CX Debate. A team of two debaters on each side debates a question of policy change. The affirmative team proposes a change in policy that fits within the assigned resolution, and the negative team presents potential problems with the specific policy change. A single debate round takes approximately 75 minutes.
2024-2025 Resolution: The United States Federal Government should significantly reform its foreign policy toward one or more of the following countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
Lincoln- Douglas Debate
Lincoln-Douglas Debate is also known as Values Debate. A single debater on each side affirms or negates the resolution using logic, philosophy, and real-life examples to support their side of the debate. A single debate round takes approximately 40 minutes.
2024-2025 Resolution: In the United States criminal justice system, jury nullification ought to be used in the face of perceived injustice.
