A speech event that is the "Jack-of-all-Trades", the Impromptu Speech event teaches spontaneity and refines basic speech techniques. Students are all given topics of varying nature, ranging from quotes to simple, intriguing ideas, and are required to prepare an original, 5-minute speech; which is to be prepared in 2 minutes. Within this 2-minute time period, the speaker can use a notebook to jot down any ideas, or pace around the room to practice their speech, but cannot refer to them upon the preparation time's completion. Another point worth mentioning is that going over the time allotted, for preparing or speaking, can be met with a penalty during tournaments, so students are advised to make the best use of their time and keep track of it.

Would a Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act settle the national debate over gay marriage? Can a European banking union make a substantial contribution to the battle against Europe’s economic woes? Is the US doing enough to attract aspiring entrepreneurs from other countries?

These are the caliber of questions that the Extemporaneous Speech event has posited to past speakers who dared venture into it. While it resembles more of a Debate event, in the questions that it provides, Extemp requires speakers to exercise good time-management, note-taking, and research skills to battle to the top of the competition, keeping track of current events every step of the way. With the questions changing constantly with the times, students must be on their toes and willing to seek out all sorts of new information, becoming investigators on a certain topic and building a case for their stance.

The event consists of two possible groups:

• Domestic (United States)

• International (World)

Each group has its own advantages and disadvantages, leaving it up to the speaker to decide which to compete in, depending on their individual preferences. Regardless of which group he/she chooses, each speaker is allotted 30 minutes to research their topic, and prepare a 5-7 minute speech on the topic of his/her choosing.

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 is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

As one of the more physically demanding speech event groups, Interpretation events test the limits of a speaker's imagination, ability to collaborate, or ability to memorize (depending on which he/she chooses). This group is perhaps the most inclusive of different mindsets, as it has a little something for every speaker who wishes to dabble in a little theatre.

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 focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Oral Interpretation relies on the performer’s ability to portray a wide range of characters and literature all held together under a common theme. Each program must contain at least two of the three genres and students are encouraged to include all three. There is aset time limit of ten minutes, with a thirty second grace period. Students who choose to compete in OI should focus on making an interesting argument that is supported in different ways by each piece of literature they select.

Structured after the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, for the Senate seat in Illinois, the Lincoln-Douglas debate format allows two debaters to go head-to-head in the affirmation, or negation, of a certain resolution. The debater is then required to go through a gauntlet of speeches against their opponent during a 40-minute round; which tests both participants' argumentative and critical thinking skills, when rebuking or listening to their opponent's points. Debaters are granted cross-examinations in between speeches in which they are allowed to ask questions to clarify claims made by the other side, in the hopes of strengthening their own points in front of the judges (with the asking of the questions) or bolstering their individual cases for the rebuttal. Each round consists of seven speeches, in the following order:

1. Affirmative Constructive (6 mins)

2. Negative Cross-Examination (3 mins)

3. Negative Constructive (7 mins)

4. Affirmative Cross Examination (3 mins)

5. First Affirmative Rebuttal (4 mins)

6. Negative Rebuttal (6 mins)

7. Second Affirmative Rebuttal (3 mins)

Public Forum debate (PF) is a partner event centered around straightforward arguments usually related to current events. Topics change every 1-2 months and often alternate between foreign and domestic policy questions. Students prepare to debate on both the affirmative and negative side of every topic, with the side for each round being determined immediately prior to the start.

All new debate students begin in Public Forum because it is the best event to learn the fundamentals of debate.

Not supported in 2020-2021 or until we can have in person classes