LINCOLN - DOUGLAS DEBATE
Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD) is an engaging one-on-one competitive event that emphasizes critical thinking and persuasive speaking. In this format, debaters take opposing sides of a specified resolution, allowing them to explore complex philosophical and ethical issues. Each participant presents their arguments, engages in rebuttals, and defends their positions, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. LD encourages debaters to develop their analytical skills and articulate their thoughts clearly while the perspectives of their opponents.
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE
Congressional Debate is an engaging and educational mock legislative assembly competition designed for students. In this dynamic environment, participants play the roles of legislators, drafting their own bills and resolutions that propose new laws or specific positions on various issues. Throughout the competition, students actively engage in debates, presenting their arguments and counterarguments, while their peers listen and respond. Ultimately, participants cast votes to determine which proposed legislation will be passed, mirroring the real-life legislative process and encouraging critical thinking.
PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE
Public Forum Debate (PF) is an engaging two-on-two competition where teams engage in spirited and arguments surrounding a predetermined resolution. In this, debaters must effectively present their case, support their claims with evidence, and counter their opponents' arguments. The goal is to persuade a judge of their stance while being clear and accessible to a general audience. This style of debate emphasizes not only critical thinking and public speaking skills also the ability to collaborate as a team.
DECLAMATION
Declamation is a performance art that involves delivering a speech crafted by someone else, often performed in the past. This form of expression merges the compelling speaking techniques found in oratory with the interpretative skills showcased in black book events. At its core, the art of declamation is all about speaking with passion and conviction, allowing the speaker to breathe new life into the words and connect with the on a profound level. Through emotive delivery and dynamic, declamation transforms a written text into an engaging experience that resonates deeply with listeners
DUO INTERPRETATION
In Duo Interpretation, two competitors collaborate to perform a ten-minute excerpt from published play or story. This performance style emphasizes off-stage focus, allowing the to convey the setting and emotions through their vocal delivery and physicality. They explore the relationships and interactions between characters without the use of props or costumes, relying solely on their skills to communicate the narrative effectively. The performance showcases their ability to interpret the text and engage the audience through various performance techniques.
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING
Impromptu refers to actions or performances that are executed spontaneously, without prior planning, organization, or rehearsal. the context of speech and debate, it signifies a format that challenges participants to think on their feet, respond quickly, and articulate their thoughts coherently real-time. This impromptu style not only tests a speaker ability to convey ideas effectively under pressure but also showcases their creativity and adaptability. is a rigorous and popular aspect of public speaking that emphasizes the importance of quick thinking and effective communication.
ORIGINAL ORATORY
In the Original Oratory competition, students have the opportunity to showcase their public speaking skills by delivering a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic that resonates with them. Competitors are challenged to creatively construct their arguments, as they must limit direct quotations, instead relying on evidence, logic, and emotional appeals to engage their audience. With a vast array of topics to choose from, students can opt for informative subjects that educate listeners or persuasive themes that aim sway opinions. The speeches are memorized, allowing for a powerful and confident delivery that captures the essence of the speaker
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
Dramatic Interpretation is an engaging and expressive performance where students bring literature life through their own interpretation. Participants select a passage from a play, short story, or other published work, with performances lasting up to ten minutes. The emphasis is on character development and conveyance, allowing students to explore and portray one or multiple characters without the use of props or costumes. Additionally, students can enhance their performance with a self-written introduction, providing context and identifying the title and author of the chosen work, setting the stage for their dramatic expression.
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
Extemporaneous Debate is an exciting supplemental featured at the National Speech & Debate Tournament. In this dynamic format, students engage in-on-one debates with limited preparation time, challenging them to think quickly and articulate their arguments effectively. Unlike traditional debate events that focus on a single topic throughout the, participants in Extemporaneous Debate tackle a variety of unique resolutions each round. With a minimum of thirty minutes to prepare, students craft their cases on the spot, allowing for creativity and spontaneity
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
Informative Speaking structures share a basic setup: an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. The real difference comes in what those three main points actually cover. Oratory, which usually mixes problems, causes, and solutions, Informative Speaking is a bit more flexible and can take different paths depending on the topic. Typically, the third main point dives into the implications, or what the topic really means for society. This way, not only do you share information, but you also get the audience thinking about its importance.
ORAL INTERPRETATION
In the Program Oral Interpretation (POI), students are tasked with creating a ten-minute performance that weaves together selections from, poetry, and drama, all centered around a specific theme. This format challenges students demonstrate their skill in blending various literary forms into a seamless and engaging presentation. A manuscript is essential for this performance; it can serve as a prop long as the performer keeps control of it throughout. Additionally, students have the opportunity to enhance their by crafting an introduction that provides context, including the title and author of each literary selection featured.