Competition Events

Congressional Debate is a mock legislative assembly competition where students draft bills and resolutions, which they and their peers later debate and vote to pass into law and then take action on by voting for or against the legislation. 

In LD debate, you will present a case that you have prepared before the tournament defending your side of the resolution, make arguments against the case your opponent presents, and answer the arguments that your opponent makes against your case.

Parliamentary debate is a formal contest featuring critical analysis and rhetorical skill. Participants represent the advocates for and against a motion for debate after a 20 minute preparation period.  

A two-on-two debate that focuses on a policy question for the duration of the academic year, this format tests a student’s research, analytical, and delivery skills. 

Public Forum Debate involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event. The teams are assigned the Pro or Con side before the debate. Students present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation throught the round. 

Declamation is a public speaking event where students deliver a portion or portions of a speech previously delivered. The goal of a declamation is to convey a message with clarity, emotion, and persuasiveness. 

Impromptu is a limited preparation public speaking event. Each round, students will draw three topics and they will choose one prompt. Students will have a total of seven minutes to prepare, memorize, and perform their speech.

Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft a speech using evidence, logic, and optional visual aids. Topics must be informative; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. 

In International Extemporaneous, students are presented with a choice of three questions related to international current events and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the question. 

In United States Extemporaneous, students are presented with a choice of three questions related to current events in the U.S. and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. 

Original Advocacy (OA): The student presents an original persuasive speech that identifies a problem and offers a clear, concise, legislative solution.

Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and may be informative or persuasive in nature.

In Original Prose and Poetry, or OPP, you write and present a piece composed of original prose, poetry or a combination of prose and poetry. This event provides an opportunity for “creative” writers to present their work to an audience.

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. 

Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using offstage focus, Duo Interpretation (DUO) competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. 

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation (HI) is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. 

Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance written by the students. Using offstage focus, competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. 

Using a combination of prose, poetry, and drama, students construct a program using at least two out of the three genres: prose, poetry, and drama. With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, POI focuses on a student’s ability to combine multiple genres of literature centered around a single theme. Performances also include an introduction written by the student.