Speech & Debate Information

S/D Tab:  Room 201

Judges Holding:  Room 201

Hospitality: 105

If you are interested in being a judge for this contest, please contact Melissa Witt at mwitt@ptisd.org. 

We use paper ballots. If the registration numbers do not support a contest, we will cancel it by October 30.  Please note any conflicts with the academic schedule when cross-registering. 

General Guidelines - Event rules are included below. Please note the following for general practice:

• Do not enter a competition room until a judge is present

• All debaters will adhere to the Rules of Evidence followed by all three circuits (TFA and UIL)

• Internet usage is permitted in all debate events, Congress & Extemp 

• Students may use phones as timers

• Judging expectations: provide clear feedback, reason for decision, and DO NOT use phone during rounds, except to keep time.

• Pine Tree High School students will compete for TFA qualification points at this tournament. 

UIL Interp - Prose/Poetry will be reader's choice. We will not be enforcing UIL category restrictions, but if you have questions about UIL categories or other documentation requirements we are happy to help. Time limit will be 7 minutes with 30-grace period. Students will not be disqualified but may be penalized for going over time. 

Extemp - We will offer both UIL and TFA divisions of Extemp, but only TFA divisions will earn qualifying points for TFA. Students will have 30 minutes to prepare and 7 minutes to speak, with a 30-second grace period in both divisions. Students will not be disqualified but may be penalized for going over time (past the grace period).

Debate Events - 

• CX Debate - Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic. 

• UIL LD - Resolved: In the United States, compulsory national service ought to be valued over personal autonomy. 

• TFA LD - Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just.

• Congress - Items will be selected and published from the ESC 7 & 8 UIL dockets in early October.

• Public Forum - November/December NSDA resolution.

If you drop after the October 30th deadline, you will forfeit registration fees. Additional fees equivalent to the registration fee may be assessed for late drops that significantly impact pairings. Please contact Melissa Witt (mwitt@ptisd.org) as soon as possible with any drops. Drops after 6:00 PM on Friday, October 31 should be texted to Chris Dickson.