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 (UIL, TFA, and NSDA)

• 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.

• We are also a TFA qualifying tournament; Pine Tree High School students will compete and be eligible for elimination rounds and TFA qualification points at this tournament. 

• Debate eliminations: Any schools not planning to stay for debate eliminations must notify the tournament director in writing before the start of Round 3 to avoid judge fees for elim round obligations. 

• Per TFA Standing rules regarding Artificial Intelligence in competition:

  • Extemp Prep - "After the contestant has chosen a topic the contestant shall withdraw to the preparation area and plan the speech without conferring or exchanging information with anyone, including artificial intelligence."

  • Debate - "Competitors should not communicate with individuals not participating in the debate round - including engagement with artificial intelligence - through WiFi or other means." 

  • The definition of AI will be restricted to Large Language Model chat bots and generative AI texts, images, and voice.

• Per TFA Standing rules regarding coaching in Congressional Debate: "Coaching is prohibited during recesses and personal privilege breaks." (no coaching between the time the Congress round begins and it is adjourned). 

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 TFA divisions of Extemp - US and International, for those focusing on UIL - US extemp will be Persuasive and IX will be Informative. 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. 

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

• Congress - Items from Region 7 & 8 UIL Dockets: 

  • Prelims: 8P1, 7P6, 8P4, 7P5, 8P5, 7P2

  • Finals: 7F7, 8F10, 7F10, 8F8, 7F8, 8F7

• 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.