Events of S&D

Debate Event Descriptions

Students at Mentor can participate in three different debate events, Public Forum Debate, Big Questions Debate, and Congressional Debate.

Public Forum Debate The focus of the Public Forum Debate is a resolution which is newsworthy and controversial (For example, Resolved: The United States should adopt a declaratory nuclear policy of no first use.). The resolution changes monthly. Students learn to write cases which affirm or negate the resolution.

Public Forum debate features three crossfire periods in which debaters ask and answer questions. Students debate with partners and must learn to debate both sides of a resolution. Emphasis is placed on good speaking, logical reasoning, and references or evidence.

Lincoln Douglas Debate Lincoln Douglas debating involves opposing contestants debating a topic that focuses on the conflicting values of social and philosophical issues, for example, by examining questions of morality, justice, democracy, etc. Typically, LD debates concern themselves with deciding whether or not certain actions, or states of affairs, are good or bad, right or wrong, moral or immoral. Students debate individually and must learn to debate both sides of a resolution. Emphasis is placed on good speaking, logical reasoning, and references or evidence. Sample resolution: Resolved: A just government ought to recognize an unconditional right of workers to strike.

Congressional Debate Students write, debate, and vote on legislation in a mock U.S. Congress. Rules of parliamentary procedure are used to organize the debate. Because students write the legislation they debate, the topics are open to whatever they wish to consider and they can argue either side of a resolution or bill.

In addition to gaining debating skills, students may choose to preside over the chamber for a session and gain experience in facilitating the debate. Students can gain recognition for debating and/or for presiding.

Students are evaluated based on the presentation of their speeches, the use of logic and reasoning, and the use of evidence or references to lend credibility to their arguments.

Individual Event Descriptions

The individual events are more commonly called the SPEECH events. There are nine events which can be described as original work, extemporaneous speech, or interpretive speech events.

ORIGINAL

Original Oratory is an event in which students write and present a speech that is intelligent, truthful, interesting, and original. Judges evaluate them on composition and delivery. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.

Informative Speaking is an event in which students present an original, informative composition that describes, clarifies, illustrates or defines objects, ideas, concepts or processes. Judges evaluate them on composition and delivery. The time limit is 10 minutes.

EXTEMPORANEOUS

International Extemp is the event in which students prepare an original speech in 30 minutes at a tournament. The speech answers a question concerning current issues or events in international affairs. The time guideline is 5 - 7 minutes.

Domestic Extemp is the event in which students prepare an original speech in 30 minutes at a tournament. The speech answers a question concerning current issues/events in domestic affairs. The time guideline is 5 - 7 minutes.

INTERPRETIVE

Program Oral Interpretation is the event in which students try to recreate the words, thought, emotions, and effect of chosen thematic selections that are from works of drama, poetry and prose. The contestant holds a manuscript and does not need to memorize the piece. The students writes her/his own linking material and introduction. Judges evaluate contestants on use and quality of voice, enunciation, and pitch. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.

Declamation is the event in which students try to reproduce the words, thought, emotion, and effect of a published oration. Students are evaluated on use of voice, gestures, emphasis, and enunciation. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.

Dramatic Interpretation is an event in which students recreate the characters of a story and portray them for an audience. One student delivers voices of many characters. Judges evaluate contestants on their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently. The material should be dramatic in nature. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.

Humorous Interpretation is an event in which students recreate the characters of a story and portray them for an audience. One student delivers voices of many characters. Judges evaluate contestants on their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently. The material should be humorous in nature. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.

Duo Interpretation is an event in which two students recreate characters of a story and portray them for an audience. The students may not interact during the scene. Judges evaluate contestants on their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently. The material can be dramatic or humorous in nature. The time guideline is 7 - 10 minutes.