Program Benefits

Both speech and debate develop habits and skills to communicate effectively, no matter from where the student started.

Through constructive criticism, praise, and practice, the student's confidence in his own thought processes, words and ability to communicate will grow through speech and debate.

Deep friendships will develop with not only the student's speech and debate team, but also with others around the state (and country) whom he will meet at various tournaments.  As the parent, you will also find deeper connection with your student as you help develop critical REASONing skills.

Knowing the difference in being taught how to think instead of what to think is an important skill to develop--especially for the college bound student, but even for the church member, or consumer of news.   Speech and debate offers a relatively comfortable place to develop one's own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs.

Speech and debate will give the student practice in the ability to effectively decipher truth from fiction, fact from opinion, and news from editorials.

Once a student has developed individual opinions, it is necessary to be able to communicate them to an audience as clearly as possible.

Interpretive Speeches

In all interpretive events, competitors write, or select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression, without the aid of costumes or props.

Duo Interpretation

In Duo Interpretation, two competitors create an original rendition of a story from one or more selection(s) of literature which captivates and moves the audience.

Open Interpretation

In Open Interpretation, selections may be in the whole range from dramatic to humorous genres, including narrative storytelling, single voice monologues, thematic compilations, or self-written pieces.

Literary Interpretation

Literary Interpretation (LI) is an original rendition by the competitor of a relatable story from a single published book, short story, or full-length play with a focus on plot and character development. The presentation may range from serious to lighthearted. Students will select and analyze quality literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression. Competitors should portray an unfolding journey of a character(s). 

Limited Preparation Speeches

Competitors get a limited time to prepare for a speech on a topic that is given to them at the speech event. Preparation before the tournament is described in the event rules.

Apologetics

In Apologetics, the competitor is given four (4) minutes to prepare a persuasive and reasoned speech that defends a tenet of the Christian faith and explains why that principle matters.

Extemporaneous

In Extemporaneous speaking, the competitor answers a given question based on recent events in the news. The competitor researches national and international current events and may create reference files of newsworthy information. Extemporaneous speech should be regarded as a demonstration of personal knowledge on the topic, as well as an original synthesis of numerous sources.

Mars Hill

In Mars Hill, the competitor uses books, movies, and other genres to discuss the appeal and impact of the theme(s) within the topic, holding them up in light of Christian truth found in the Bible. This event is intended for competitors 14 and older or with the consent of the parents due to mature themes in some topics.

Impromptu

The competitor is given two (2) minutes to prepare a speech on a randomly drawn prompt. The goal is to develop a winsome, polished speaker who can present an original, spontaneously prepared speech.

Platform Speeches

A prepared speech, written by the competitor, with the purpose of informing, exposing, or persuading on a topic.

Expository Speaking

An Expository is a prepared speech written by the competitor which explains and illustrates a topic through both words and visuals (e.g. illustrated boards, physical props, digital and electronic presentations, or any combination).

Original Oratory

An Original Oratory is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, on a topic of the competitor’s choice. The purpose of this informative speech is to explain, describe, or expose the topic.

Persuasive

A persuasive speech is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, which advocates a specific position or course of action.

Wild Card Event Speeches

New and unique speech events that are offered on a two-year rotation meant to challenge competitors in their preparation and presentation skills.

Slam Poetry 2024-2027

Slam poetry is a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of interpretation and audience participation. The poem can be original or crafted from one or more sources. The piece demonstrates effective use of poetic devices, which will include figurative language and/or thoughtful vocabulary. The poem which effectively uses rhythm and sound of language will convey an idea and/or a point of view. Capturing and conveying human emotions and experiences may stimulate audience interaction, in that the audience can slam the table (like knocking in Parli). 

Storytelling 2026-2028

In Storytelling, students learn to understand the values and techniques inherent in telling a good story and to be able to recreate stories for the education and enjoyment of the audience. The competitor chooses a story from the genre or category selected by the tournament. Competitors then prepare to tell the story in their own words. The speech is not the mere recitation or reading of a tale or the dramatization of a saga, although some of these elements may be present. Emphasis is on narration as the teller recounts any given story in relation to a chosen theme or genre.

Team Policy Debate (2026-2027)

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its agriculture policy. 

Agriculture policy touches nearly every dimension of public life, from food security and rural economics to environmental stewardship and international trade, giving this resolution exceptional scope and real-world weight. Students researching this topic will encounter debates over farm subsidies, trade agreements, land use, sustainable farming practices, and the role of large agribusiness versus small family farms. The resolution rewards careful research and nuanced case construction, as both affirmative and negative teams have access to compelling evidence across economic, ethical, and scientific domains.

Lincoln Douglas Value Debate (2026-2027)

Resolved: Liberty ought to be prioritized over order.  

Debate Period: Fall

This resolution is a classic of political philosophy. Students will examine what liberty and order actually mean, whether they are genuinely in conflict or mutually dependent, and what it looks like when one is sacrificed for the other. Affirmative debaters will draw on libertarian traditions to argue that liberty is the precondition for human dignity and that order imposed at its expense tends toward authoritarianism. Negative debaters will argue that order is the foundation upon which liberty itself depends, and that some constraints on freedom are necessary for any free society to function. This resolution offers significant depth for experienced debaters while remaining conceptually clear enough for newer students to engage meaningfully.

Resolved: In regulating emerging technologies, governments ought to prioritize caution over innovation. 

Debate Period: Spring

As artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging fields reshape society at an unprecedented pace, this resolution asks students to wrestle with one of the most pressing governance questions of our time. Affirmative teams will make the case that the potential harms of unregulated technological development, ranging from safety risks to ethical violations to systemic disruption, justify a cautious regulatory posture. Negative teams will argue that excessive caution stifles progress, entrenches existing power structures, and often causes its own harms by delaying beneficial technologies. The resolution is exceptionally relevant to the current moment and gives students the opportunity to engage with real policy debates while developing a principled philosophical framework for evaluating risk, responsibility, and the role of government.

Parliamentary Debate (aka Parli)

Resolutions are announced/released prior to the beginning of each round.

Parliamentary debate is an activity in which teams of two students debate one another in an extemporaneous form of debate in which their topic is given just minutes prior to the round. Parliamentary debate asks competitors to develop and defend positions on a wide range of issues that could be fact, value, policy or scenario in nature. Parliamentary debate (aka Parli) not only relies on quick thinking but also on an accumulation of general knowledge on a broad range of subjects.

The purpose of Parliamentary debate is to instill in Christian home school students the skills of presentation, critical thinking, research, and analysis of current events. That endeavor should only be accomplished in an environment of honorable competition that cultivates maturity, wisdom, grace, poise, and brings glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.