Groupings/Events
A- STE/ADS, Informative, Drama Interp, IPDA
For years when Debate and IE are on separate weekends, IPDA students may enter two additional A events. Please note, however, that the general restriction of entering no more than six events in total is still in effect.
B- Prose, Communication Analysis/Rhet Crit, Poetry* & Impromptu
C- Duo Interp, Oral Interp, Oratory & Extemp
D- Reader's Theatre & Parli Debate
EVENT RULES
General Notes:
· Schools are responsible for ensuring that their judges are knowledgeable of current tournament rules and procedures.
· Interpretive programs and public address entries should not have been used in forensics competition by the student prior to September 1, 2023.
· Unless audience reaction so hinders, all competitors are expected to adhere closely to the stated time limits. Serious violations of the time limit should negatively affect the violator's ranking.
· The extemp prep room is off limits to anyone who is not competing in the immediate extemp round.
- If a community college student is competing in their fifth semester (or 3rd state tournament) the student is not eligible for the two-year finals.
GROUP A EVENTS
Speech To Entertain/After Dinner Speaking: Each speaker must present an original speech which has the purpose to subtly instruct, prescribe, inform, or persuade within the guise of humor. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes
Informative: Each speaker will present an original oration which has the purpose of clarifying, defining, describing, and/or explaining a significant object, idea, concept or process. Audio/visual aids may be used as long as they do not interfere with the speaker's ability to communicate. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Dramatic Interp: Contestants must present a program consisting of one or more cuttings from a play, teleplay, or screenplay, featuring either monologue or dialogue. If more than one selection is used, the selections should be linked by a central theme. All programs should have an appropriate introduction. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
GROUP B EVENTS
Poetry: Each contestant must present a program of one or more selections of poetry by an author from any period. If two or more selections are used, they should be developed around a central theme. All programs should be presented with the appropriate introduction and, where necessary, transitions. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Communication Analysis: Each contestant will present an oration which employs rhetorical principles to provide insight into a single speech, a single speaker, the rhetoric of a movement, or any other legitimate communication event. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Prose: Contestants must present a program of one or more selections from a short story or novel. All programs should include an appropriate introduction. If the program consists of multiple selections, a central theme should be used along with, where necessary, appropriate transitions. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Impromptu: Each speaker will present a spontaneous oration based upon a choice of three philosophical topics drawn (words, phrases, and/or quotations). Some rounds may use nontraditional prompts. Each speaker will have a total of 7 minutes total to both prepare and speak. Judges must provide oral time signals prior to speaking and nonverbal signals once the oration has begun. 2024- All rounds will be quotations
GROUP C EVENTS
Duo Interp: Each pair will present a cutting from a play, screen play, teleplay, or dramatic treatment of another literary form which realistically lends itself to a dramatic construction involving the portrayal of two or more characters. The selection may be humorous or serious. Appropriate introductions are expected. Since this is an interpretive event, presentation is from manuscript, and the focus is primarily offstage. No props or special effects are to be used. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Oratory: A speaker must present an original oration that has the purpose of convincing or stimulating/actuating the audience in regard to a significant national or international issue. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes.
Oral Interp: Contestants must present a program consisting of two or more different forms of literature (prose, poetry, and/or drama). All programs must have appropriate introductions and, where necessary, transitions. MAXIMUM TIME: 10 minutes
Extemporaneous: Each contestant will be given his/her choice of three topics drawn thirty minutes prior to speaking. Topics will concern national and international events. MAXIMUM TIME: 7 minutes (Judges provide time signals!). 2024 Round 1 Domestic, Round 2 International, Round 3 Economic and Finals one of each.
GROUP D EVENTS
Interpreters' Theatre: A group of oral readers, who act as a medium of expression for an audience, will engage in the interpretation, from the printed page, of literature in any of its forms (prose, poetry, and/or drama). Each school may enter three teams of 3‑12 interpers, but no competitor may enter more than one I.T. Only a room will be supplied by the host school.MAXIMUM TIME: 25 minutes.
Parliamentary Debate:
Each team shall consist of two people prepared to debate for either the Government or the Opposition.
Three resolutions shall be presented to the opposition at the start of the round. One of those topics will be struck by the opposition. The government will select the resolution for the round from the remaining two resolutions. After topic strikes, the debate proposition shall be announced by the judge in the room at the beginning of the round time.
Each team shall be allotted fifteen (15) minutes total preparation time for the debate. The preparation time shall begin after the judge has announced the topic in the room. Either team may leave the room during the preparation period.
The speaking format shall be:
The Speaking Format:
Prime Minister (Government) - 7 minute Constructive
Opposition Flex Time - 2 minutes
Leader of the Opposition - 8 minute Constructive
Government Flex Time - 2 minutes
Member of the Government - 8 minute Constructive
Opposition Flex Time - 1 minute
Member of the Opposition- 8 minute Constructive
Leader of the Opposition - 4 minute Rebuttal
Government Flex Time - 1 minute
Prime Minister - 5 minute
Rebuttal Flex time may be used by the controlling team to prepare arguments, talk to their partner, drink water, button up suit coats set up stands, shuffle papers, ask questions of their opponents, etc. Flex Time may not be used as additional speech time. Flex time begins immediately at the end of the previous speech. Speakers are expected to immediately start their presentation when Flex Time is over.
People not involved in the specific debate round may take notes as long as the note taker has the permission of the contestants.
Unless directed to, Judges should not disclose decisions and there will be no warm room.
No reference material, other than a dictionary, may be consulted during prep time. There will be no coaching during prep time.
IPDA (International Public Debate Association)
Topics will be announced in-round with 5 topics (2 value, 2 policy, 1 metaphor) provided for strikes. Negative strikes first, and then turns are taken until one topic remains.
Debaters will not be allowed to consult any other person during prep time. Per IPDA rules, they will be allowed paper and/or electronic research material, which may be quoted or paraphrased from notes during the round, but not read directly, as extemporaneous delivery is required.
Time limits
Affirmative Constructive 5 minutes
Cross Examination 2 minutes
Negative Constructive 6 minutes
Cross Examination 2 minutes
First Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes
First Negative Rebuttal 5 minutes
Second Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes