Below you will find a brief description of the events your students compete in each weekend. Students on the HHS Speech & Debate team are required to compete in one primary debate event and a secondary speaking event. Interp students are required to participate in at least two interp events. You can find some exemplars of most events in the videos embedded below. (All videos can be found in YouTube, but are also available for viewing, along with countless others, via our team's membership login through NSDA).
Debate Events
Policy Debate - This is a two-person debate event designed to foster high level research and critical thinking. Competitors debate the same topic throughout the entire year. Policy debate resolutions advocate some sort of policy change by the United States Federal Government. Teams typically select an affirmative case early in the season and hone specific arguments and improvements to the basic case as the year progresses. This year's resolution is Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States. Rounds last approximately 90 minutes each.
Public Forum Debate - This is a two-person debate event designed to encourage strong persuasive speaking and argumentative skills. Debaters will argue a resolution on either the pro or con side; debate will go back and forth between speakers according to the structure (spelled out on the ballot). Students ask questions of opposing side during “cross fire” period. Rounds last approximately 45 minutes each. At the end of the round, the judge will award the win to the side that was the most persuasive or presented the best arguments.
Congressional Debate - This is an individual debate event where students compete in a 'chamber' with 12-25 other students. Debaters write bills and resolutions at points throughout the year which they debate in 2-4 hour 'sessions' at individual tournaments. During the course of the round, students take on the role of congressmen/congresswomen arguing for or against the legislation using parliamentary procedure. Debaters deliver 3 minute speeches and answer questions about their positions on one or more of the items during the round. At the end of the round, judges rank competitors based on argumentation, persuasiveness and activity in the chamber (asking questions, making motions, etc.).
World Schools Debate - This is a team event (3-5 students). Debaters will debate both prepared topics and impromptu topics. Both sets of topics will be accessible to the public - stuff that has been in the news. This style of debate focuses heavily on delivery and speaking style. Argumentation should be well-organized and clear. Rounds last approximately an hour.
Speaking Events
Extemporaneous Speaking - Each speaker will draw three topics, selects one, and then has 30 minutes to prepare a speech. At the completion of the 30 minute preparation time, the student will deliver their speech. The student will walk in to the room and should hand you a slip of paper with their topic written on it. Topics may be international or domestic depending on the category you are judging. Time Limit: 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Original Oratory - Students will have prepared an original oration about a topic of their choosing. The speech must be memorized and contain no more than 150 quoted words. Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Informative Speaking - Students will have prepared an original informative speech about a topic of their choosing. The speech must be memorized and contain no more than 150 quoted words. Students are given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Interp Events
Dramatic Interpretation - This is an individual category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes and should include an introduction that clearly states the title and name of the author. The introduction may be given after a piece of the performance is given. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Humorous Interpretation - This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. The rules are otherwise exactly the same as Dramatic Interpretation. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Program Oral Interpretation - Using selections from Prose, Poetry and Drama students create a ten minute performance around a central theme. POI is designed to test a student’s ability to intersplice multiple types of literature into a single, cohesive performance. A manuscript is required and may be used as a prop within the performance if the performer maintains control of the manuscript at all times. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author of each selection. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Duo Interpretation - This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. The rules are otherwise exactly the same as Dramatic Interpretation. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Duet Acting - This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. Students are allowed to use only 2 chairs as props. Presentations must be memorized and should include an introduction that clearly states the title and name of the author. The introduction may be given after a piece of the performance is given. Time Limit: 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Prose Interpretation - Selection must be from a published work and must be read from a binder. A memorized introduction stating the title and author is required and may be given after a portion of the piece has been read. Time Limit: 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Poetry Interpretation - Same rules as Prose, but the piece must be poetic in nature. Time Limit: 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period.
Emory TOC Qualifier
Policy Debate Final Round 2018
NSDA Nationals
PF Final Round 2018
NSDA Nationals
Congressional Debate Showcase
2017 NSDA National Champion
International Extemp
2018 NSDA National Champion
Original Oratory
2016 NSDA Nationals 5th Place
Informative Speaking
2015 NSDA National Champion
Dramatic Interpretation
2016 NSDA National Champion
Humorous Interpretation
2016 NSDA National Runner-up
Program Oral Interpretation
2008 NSDA National Champions
Duo Interpretation