Speech and Debate Event Descriptions

Speech Events

*Note: Speech Competitors may Double enter in any 2 events. 

Memorized Events:

• Informative Speaking  (INF):  An original 10 minute speech, intended to educate, instruct, or enlighten about a specific topic. Props are used to display information or convey a point. 

• Original Oratory (OO): An original 10 minute speech, persuasive in nature.

• Memorized Public Address (MPA, Montana Only event): A speech previously made to a public audience, with an analysis of that speech, and its themes, written by the competitor.

Interp Events (theater)

• Humorous Interp (HI): A 10 minute solo acting performance, humorous in nature.

• Dramatic Interp (DI): A 10 minute solo acting performance, serious in nature.

• Duo Interp (DUO): An acting performance, involving a team of two partners, either serious or humorous in nature.

• Program Oral Interp (POI): A 10 minute solo performance, using both theatrical and research elements to create a performance of meaning. A binder is used as a prop to emphasize important aspects of the act

Short Preparation Events (short-prep): 

• Impromptu Speaking (IMP): A three-to-five minute speech, using a quote or comic strip for a prompt.

• Extemporaneous Speaking (EXTEMP): A five-to-seven minute speech, using a domestic or foreign policy question as the prompt.

Debate

*Note: Debate Competitors may only compete in one form of debate per tournament. Double entry is not allowed. 

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (VLD, NLD, JVLD):

• Varsity, JV, and Novice: A type of one-on-one debate that places a heavy emphasis on logic, ethics, and philosophy. 

Policy Debate (VPOL, NPOL, JVPOL):

• Varsity, JV, and Novice: A team event where the affirmative side develops a policy that solves a current problem proposed within the resolution and the negative shows how the proposed policy does not solve the resolved problem. 

Legislative Debate (LEGI):

• (Montana, AA Only): A hybrid event that utilizes elements from both Speech and Debate. The competitor writes a bill of either domestic or foreign policy, and debates its merits, similar to Congressional debates (Nationals only) A form of Preparation Debate.

Public-Forum Debate (PF):

• Varsity Only: A team event that places an emphasis on current events, relying on both logic and evidence, to construct concise and quick-paced arguments. 

Nationals Only Events

Congressional Debate (Practice from March-June)

*Note: This form of Debate is only offered at National Qualifiers and the National Tournament. 

• Congressional Debate is like a simulation of the real United States legislature. A group of 10-25 students, called a Chamber, will compete in a legislative session. A series of bills and resolutions will be proposed by students from various schools. Students in turn will be selected by a presiding officer — a student elected to conduct the business of the round — to give speeches both advocating for and encouraging the defeat of the measure in front of them. Following each speech, competitors will be able to pose questions of the speaker. Once debate is exhausted on a particular item, the chamber will vote either to pass or fail the legislation, and debate moves on to the next item. There are 2 forms of Congressional Debate:

  • • • House Congressional Debate

      • Senate Congressional Debate

World Schools (Practice from March-June)

*Note: This form of Debate is only offered at the National Tournament. To compete in this form of debate, Competitors Must be  take part in an application process and be selected from the Gallatin Valley schools. Applications are live in February after the National Qualifying tournament. 

• Debaters will be given a topic/motion to debate with only an almanac to use as a resource. World Schools Debate is a three-on-three format. While a given team may consist of five members, only three students from a team participate in a given debate. In debate rounds, 3 of the 5 debaters will debate another team of 3 with the other 2 rotating in. Resolutions come in two types: prepared motions and impromptu motions. Teams will be assigned one of two sides in each round- either the government team proposing the motion or the opposition team advocating the rejection of the motion. Debaters present their position on a topic, refute their opponents, and respond to questions throughout the course of the debate.

Supplemental Activities 

• There are Supplemental Activities for the National Tournament; however, our current team policy is to not send competitors in those events as we do not have the resources to prepare competitors to be successful in those events. This is subject to change in time.