[PLAYLISTS]
Individual Events: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoHg4RW6LNU7ml4SEqAgbLCllhuncn05U
Debate Events: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoHg4RW6LNU46hwzV6hlR-8bA_sdVdClB
[INDIVIDUAL EVENTS]
DUO allows two contestants to present a selection, each "portraying" one or more characters interacting with the other. The contestants are not allowed to touch each other or look directly at each other's faces. Selections must be from a published source and cannot be longer than 10 minutes.
In TI, the contestant will use at least three sources of literature centered around a theme. The maximum time is ten minutes. An excerpt must be either 150 words minimum or the entire work. This event is unique insofar as each contestant must carry a binder with a script (though they should not reference the script during the speech) while delivering it.
In SPAR, two contestants debate a given resolution. Each side has a minute to think and then a minute to speak. There is then three minutes of cross-examination, followed by the negative conclusion and finally the affirmative conclusion.
[DEBATE EVENTS]
One person upholds the affirmative of a value question and another upholds the negative. The most important issues are dealt with in a logical manner with evidence used; however, there is not as much emphasis on evidence as in Policy debate. Debaters are judged on the development of their arguments as well as how well they refute the issues presented by their opponents.
Teams of two debate extemporaneously each other about a given resolution concerning either a policy, a value, or a fact. The teams have twenty minutes before the debate begins to prepare for the resolution.
PFD can be compared to a nationally-televised debate, such as 'Crossfire' in which the debaters argue a topic of national importance, typically one involving foreign or domestic policy as opposed to Lincoln-Douglas' more philosophy centric debate, in terms that a "common" person would understand. The debate in public forum debate is conducted by teams of two people alternating speeches for their side, either affirming or negating their topic. In contrast to policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate, there is little focus on extreme speed or arcane debate jargon or argumentation theory; instead, successful public forum debaters must make persuasive and logical arguments in a manner that is accessible to a wide variety of audiences.
STUDENT CONGRESS
The object of student congress is to have students debate about solutions to current social problems. Topics are presented in the form of a bill or resolution. Each student has three minutes to give a pro or con speech with a one minute mandatory questioning period. Judges look for refutation of specific issues as well as delivery techniques.
Original Oratory
OOs are no more than ten minutes in length. All orations must be the original work of the contestant. There are no more than 150 words of directed quotations from any other speech or writing. Notes and manuscripts are not permitted during delivery.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Oratory
- How to Write an Oratory: http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumliboratory.html
Original Advocacy
An OA presents a problem and a legislative solution no more than 10 minutes in length. The maximum number of quoted words is 150. Notes and manuscripts are not permitted during delivery.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Advocacy
- Tips: http://www.ratespeeches.com/a=interview-with-sara-cois-about-original-advocacy-speech-and-judging
- California State Speech Association "What is Advocacy" Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbvdEWqJQyY
Expository Speaking
EXPOS is a carefully prepared informative address on a worthwhile topic that gives careful attention to description, explanation, illustration, and definition. It must be more explanatory than entertaining. Visual aids are permitted.
- California State Speech Association Instructional Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7VNGYsAjVE&
National and Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking
In NX/USX and IX/FX, each contestant chooses 1 topic from 3 choices drawn from issues discussed in US News and World Report, Time, or Newsweek for 3 months preceding the tournament. He or she then has 30 minutes preparation time to develop a seven minute speech to be delivered without notes.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extemporaneous_speaking
- Extemp Analysis: http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlibextimp.html
- High School Database: http://speechgeek.com/extemp/
- Additional Tips and Tricks: http://www.extempprep.org/
Impromptu Speaking
An IMP speech is a spontaneous speech no more than 5 minutes in length. Each contestant draws three topics for each round. Each speaker is allowed 2 minutes preparation time; no notes are permitted.
- Impromptu Analysis (Part 1): http://www.ratespeeches.com/a=interview-with-iain-lampert-about-impromptu-speaking-and-judging
- Impromptu Analysis (Part 2): http://www.ratespeeches.com/a=interview-with-rylan-schaeffer-about-impromptu-speaking-and-judging
- Impromptu Analysis (Part 3): http://www.ratespeeches.com/a=interview-with-safeena-mecklai-about-impromptu-speaking-and-judging
In both HI and DI, the contestant must have an introduction, wherein s/he must give the title, author, and source of his or her selection. The selection can be no more than ten minutes. Selections must be from published stories, plays, essays, or poems. Selections must be memorized. Dramatic pieces deal with more serious issues whereas humorous pieces are usually light-hearted. No notes or visual aids are allowed.
- HI Analysis: http://ezinearticles.com/?Excelling-at-Humorous-Interpretation---An-Advanced-Guide&id=4300325
- DI Information: http://speechdebate.pbworks.com/f/Dramatic+Interp.pdf
OI must be from a published version of a speech that has been publicly delivered. No notes or visual aids or allowed.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorical_Interpretation
- List of Famous Speeches: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html
- List of Famous American Speeches: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/
- Commencement Addresses: http://www.humanity.org/voices/commencements
Duo Interpretation
DUO allows two contestants to present a selection, each "portraying" one or more characters interacting with the other. The contestants are not allowed to touch each other or look directly at each other's faces. Selections must be from a published source and cannot be longer than 10 minutes.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duo_Interpretation
Original Prose and Poetry
In each 10-minute OPP, contestants present original work of any literary style. There is a limit of 150 quoted words maximum.
- California State Speech Association Instructional Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNcxiBuM9ug
Thematic Interpretation
In TI, the contestant will use at least three sources of literature centered around a theme. The maximum time is ten minutes. An excerpt must be either 150 words minimum or the entire work. This event is unique insofar as each contestant must carry a binder with a script (though they should not reference the script during the speech) while delivering it.
- Description: http://www.nietoc.com/thematic.pdf
Spontaneous Argumentation
In SPAR, two contestants debate a given resolution. Each side has a minute to think and then a minute to speak. There is then three minutes of cross-examination, followed by the negative conclusion and finally the affirmative conclusion.
- Analysis and Advice: http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/Rostrum/ld1199_luongspontargum.pdf
- Collection of Arguments: http://idebate.org/debatabase
[DEBATE EVENTS]
Policy Debate
Policy is a form of debate in which teams of two advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government or security discourse. It is also referred to as cross-examination debate (sometimes shortened to Cross-X, CX, or C-X) because of the 3-minute questioning period following each constructive speech and the physical examination proceeding the first rebuttals. Affirmative teams generally present a plan as a proposal for implementation of the resolution. The negative will generally prove that it would be better not to do the plan or that the opportunity costs to the plan are so great that it should not be implemented.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_debate
- Collection of Arguments (Part 1) : http://www.planetdebate.com/blockhouse/year/2011
- Collection of Arguments (Part 2): http://idebate.org/debatabase
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
One person upholds the affirmative of a value question and another upholds the negative. The most important issues are dealt with in a logical manner with evidence used; however, there is not as much emphasis on evidence as in Policy debate. Debaters are judged on the development of their arguments as well as how well they refute the issues presented by their opponents.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln%E2%80%93Douglas_debate
- Analysis of LD Debate: http://debate.uvm.edu/learnld.html
- Collection of Arguments: http://idebate.org/debatabase
Teams of two debate extemporaneously each other about a given resolution concerning either a policy, a value, or a fact. The teams have twenty minutes before the debate begins to prepare for the resolution.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_debate
- High School Database and Round Recordings: http://www.pointofinformation.org/resources/round-recordings/
- College Database: http://www.parlidebate.com/index.php
- Collection of Arguments: http://idebate.org/debatabase
PFD can be compared to a nationally-televised debate, such as 'Crossfire' in which the debaters argue a topic of national importance, typically one involving foreign or domestic policy as opposed to Lincoln-Douglas' more philosophy centric debate, in terms that a "common" person would understand. The debate in public forum debate is conducted by teams of two people alternating speeches for their side, either affirming or negating their topic. In contrast to policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate, there is little focus on extreme speed or arcane debate jargon or argumentation theory; instead, successful public forum debaters must make persuasive and logical arguments in a manner that is accessible to a wide variety of audiences.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_forum_debate
- A Guide to PFD: http://debate.uvm.edu/dcpdf/PFNFL.pdf
- High School Database: http://pfdebate.com/
- Collection of Arguments: http://idebate.org/debatabase
STUDENT CONGRESS
The object of student congress is to have students debate about solutions to current social problems. Topics are presented in the form of a bill or resolution. Each student has three minutes to give a pro or con speech with a one minute mandatory questioning period. Judges look for refutation of specific issues as well as delivery techniques.
- Description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Debate
- Collection of Arguments: http://idebate.org/debatabase