Children's Literature

This is a 10 minute reading event using selection(s) from material designed to read to children

Dramatic Performance

This is a memorized event in which the student presents a 10 minute selection of literature.

Duo Interpretation

Duo is a unique, memorized event challenging two performers to render a dynamic moment utilizing appropriate vocal expression, gesture, and interaction between partners. As a unit, the two performers will vocally and physically respond to each other’s verbal and non-verbal cues while maintaining an off-stage focus. Thus, the scene requiring disciplined interplay between partners and the environment is created in the minds of the audience..

Extemporaneous Speaking

The students will draw three topics of current interest from the material prepared by the tournament director. Usually topics are based on articles taken from recent issues of publications from major media outlets. The student must pick one of the three topics to prepare for a presentation. The students will have a 30 minute preparation period during which paper or electronic files of relevant media sources may be used to put together the presentation. Access to the internet is allowed but not guaranteed by tournaments. After the preparation period, the student should deliver up to a 7 minute speech to be evaluated for content and delivery.

Group Discussion

Group Discussion is an event in which students discuss and argue a topic set at the beginning of the round. The topics will present an issue, designed to introduce a variety of conflicting opinions. Students will be given the generic nature of the issue in the invitation, with a specific focus to be discussed at the start of the round.

Impromptu

On the speaker's turn, he/she will select three topics from an envelope (or other such container), choosing one of them to perform. After the choice is made, the judge begins to time the event. The contestant has a total of 6 minutes to prepare and deliver his/her presentation.

Informative Speaking

Students author and deliver a ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Competitors create the speech to educate the audience on a particular topic. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. Visual aids are optional.

Multiple Reading

This event requires the use of a manuscript. A group of 3-8 students will present a scene or scenes from published material. The material may be either serious or humorous in nature.

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking

Same as Extemporaneous Speaking. Limited to first year forensic competitors ONLY.

Oratorical Declamation

Declamation is a memorized event in which the student delivers a speech written by some other person. The speech must have been presented as a public address and found in print, on video, DVD or on an audio recording.

Original Oratory

Oratory is a memorized event in which the student presents original thought and commentary on a topic of his/her choice. Generally, but not always, the speech is of a persuasive nature. No manuscripts may be used during the 10 minute presentation.

Play Reading

This event requires the use of a manuscript. The student should present a scene or scenes from a published play in a 10 minute program. The material may be either serious or humorous in nature.

Poetry Reading

This event requires the use of a manuscript. The student will present material chosen from published poetry. Students may present either a single, long poem or several shorter poems connected either by theme or by author.

Program Oral Interpretation

Using a combination of Prose, Poetry, and Drama, students construct a 10 minute program using at least two out of the three genres. With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, Program Oral Interpretation focuses on a student’s ability to combine multiple genres of literature centered around a single theme.

Prose Reading

This event requires the use of a manuscript. The student will present material chosen from a single published short story, novel, or essay, fictive or non-fictive. The material may be either serious or humorous in nature.

Radio Broadcasting

Radio Broadcasting is a public address event in which a student presents a classic, "top-of-the-hour" news broadcast in the voice of a single professional broadcaster.

Congressional Debate aka Student Congress

In this event, students simulate a working House of Representatives or Senate of the US Congress. Students debate legislation they have written, conduct the rules and regulations of the chambers, and vote on enacting bills and resolutions. Students do not pretend to be members of the real US Congress, but instead speak for themselves and debate their own viewpoints.

Public Forum Debate

Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. Two partners debate controversial issues that are taken from the newspaper headlines. A new topic is announced monthly for teams to research and prepare both Pro and Con arguments for debate. A PFD debate round begins with a coin flip to determine Pro or Con and speaker order. Public Forum will test your skills in argumentation, cross-examination and refutation.

Current topic

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Lincoln Douglas is value debate. Values are often seen as principles or concepts that people believe in. Often (but not always) LD topics will focus on value implications of policy topics. In other words, before deciding what type of public schools or taxation system we should have, it is necessary to decide if public education or taxation are something we should have in the first place, given the community’s values.

Current topic

Acton Boxborough Speech and Debate competes at MSDL tournaments throughout the school year.

At the end of the season, qualified students may attend the

State Speech and State Debate Tournaments..

For rules and more complete descriptions please visit the MSDL website