A: Come by room 807 and pick up some information. Once you’ve filled out a simple application, turn it in to Mrs.Curtis and sign up for a short interview. If you are accepted, start coming to practices.

 

Q: What sort of time commitment will I be expected to do once on the team?

A: We have weekly practices after-school in room 807 (usually 2:30-3:30), tournaments about every 4 weeks, and occasional special events for fundraising, team dinners, etc.  You will also make individual appointments with your coach or event captain while developing your speech and to present your speech and get personalized feedback.

 

• Competition Attire: Competitors must be dressed in professional clothes from head to toe.  You may need to buy a competition outfit
• Late Drop Fees: Last minute changes to a tournament schedule will result in a late charge to the team ($10.00 per event). This fee must be paid by the student dropping out or signing up late. Be sure to examine your schedule in advance.
• Hotel rooms, travel, food expenses: If you choose to compete at optional travel tournaments, there will be additional travel expenses.

 

CHOOSING, LEARNING, AND REHEARSING YOUR EVENT

 

Q: If I start out in one type of Speech or Debate event, can I change it partway through the year?

A: You can change it as often as you like. Try some different events to see what you like, but be sure to focus on the events that you are strong in.

 

Q: How do I find a partner for Policy, Public Forum, or Duo Interpretation?

A: The two best ways are to come to one of the meetings for that particular event (see after-school meeting schedule), or, even better, to BRING a friend to an after school meeting. Don’t worry if you don’t have a partner; we’ll find you one!

 

Q: So, which students do I see to help me out with the event I’m interested in?

A: Each new team member will be paired up with a “Team Buddy” who will help you .  Also, see our lists of Officers and Event Captains who are also available to help you.

 

Q: How do I get scripts to read if I’m doing interpretive events (Humorous//Dramatic/Duo/Thematic/Original Prose Poetry)?

A: You can use a variety of different sources. Often, almost any published work can be adapted to your particular event, but it has to be a published work (published meaning having its own ISBN). We have a collection of scripts in the room that you are always welcome to look through at your leisure. I can make copies of these for you easily (please don’t take any or cut them up until we’re sure it’s not the last copy).

 

TOURNAMENT COMPETITION

 

Q: How many tournaments will I compete in?

A: Just like any competitive team, we need you to prepare and compete in each and every competition which includes your events.

 

Q: Can I compete in multiple events, doing different speech and debate events on different weekends?

A: Absolutely. You can jump from debate to speech and back and forth again all you want. You do not need any special qualifications or training to be eligible for an event.

 

Q: If there are several events that I’m interested in all on the same day, can I do all of them.

A: You can in Speech, depending on what events are competing at the same time.  If you are debating, you have to stick to one event each day, but that means you can compete in two debate events in a Friday-Saturday Tournament.  In Speech you can “double enter”, and  in rare cases triple enter.

 

  

Q: Are there different levels, such as Junior Varsity and Varsity?

A: Yes, during first semester new competitors, or “ Novices”,  compete separately from experienced competitors, or “ Varsity”.  Sometime during November-January, depending on the Tournament, all competitors begin to compete together.

 

Q: How do I sign up for a tournament?

A: You see Mrs. Curtis. Be sure to sign-up for each tournament which  what events want to compete in and who your partner will be (if a partnered event), Mrs. Curtis won’t register you unless she knows for certain you plan to go.

 

Q: Do I have to compete at the tournaments, or can I just come and watch?

A: You are welcome to come and watch if you wish to support your friends or get an idea of what different events are like.

 

Q: Are parents able to come to tournaments?

A: Of course! We’d love to have parents along to watch or judge! The only thing that might prevent a parent from observing a round is if any of the students or the judge was uncomfortable with the arrangement. (Don’t worry; spectators observe rounds all the time and I’ve never seen anyone turned away before.)

 

Q: What sort of transportation is provided to these tournaments?

A: I will always offer rides in my van. We need to have parents drive and hopefully car pool. This works well if EVERYONE takes responsibility for some of the trips.

 

Q: What do I need for a tournament?

A: See our Checklist and Tournament Commandments before you sign up for a tournament.

 

 

 

JUDGING REQUIREMENT

Q: Do I need to find someone to volunteer as a judge at the tournaments?

A: Yes. We need to bring judges at every tournament.  EACH team member must have an adult judge at two tournament dates.  Parents will sign up at the Fall Parent Meeting, or will be assigned to a date.  The judge can be any adult (not neccessarily a parent, an older sibling, neighbor, etc. may fill the judging requirement)

 

Q: What training does a person need in order to judge?

A: None!  We always have some judges who have never judged before.  We will have a parents “Judges Training” evening and all judges are instructed the morning of the tournament.  Remember, when you speak in college and career situations, you won’t be speaking for Speech and Debate Coaches.