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What is forensics (aka-DDF)?
DDF has nothing to do with CSI: Miami, but everything to do with Aristotle. Over 2,000 years ago, he wrote a book called The Art of Rhetoric. In that book, he examined the nature and sources of persuasion in public speech. He called it this field of study: Forensics
In competitive circles, forensics has three broad categories: Oral interpretation of literature, Speech, and Debate.
Debate Events
Debate Events
These events foster discussions on controversial issues between competitors. They necessarily learn multiple sides of an issue since most debate events use the switch-sides format, in which debaters must be prepared to debate both the Affirmative and Negative sides of the debate topic. It is in debate events, that students go head-to-head in intellectual competition.
Public Forum
Summary: PF involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event. Topic is changed monthly.
Proceeding a coin toss, the winners choose which side to debate (PRO or CON) or which speaker position they prefer (1st or 2nd), and the other team receives the remaining option. Students present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and also participate in a “crossfire” (similar to a cross-examination) with the opportunity to question the opposing team. Often, community members are recruited to judge this event.
The Ted Turner Public Forum Debate format includes four 4-minute constructives, three 3-minute crossfires, two 2-minute summaries, and two 2-minute final focuses. The NSDA public forum debate topic for that time period is used.
Lincoln-Douglas
Summary: LD involves teams of one opposing on moral issues. Topic is changed every two months.
In this one-on-one format, students debate a topic provided by the Association. Lincoln-Douglas Debate topics range from individual freedom versus the collective good to economic development versus environmental protection.
Format includes one 6-minute affirmative constructive, one 7-minute negative constructive, two 3-minute cross-examinations, one 4-minute affirmative rebuttal, one 3-minute affirmative rebuttal, and one 6-minute negative rebuttal. The NSDA value topic for that time period is used.
Policy (Abbreviated CX)
Summary: Debate over a United States policy issue that stays the same for the whole year. Teams of two in debates around 90 minutes.
Topic for 2017/2018: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.
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. Policy Debate involves the proposal of a plan by the affirmative team to enact a policy, while the negative team offers reasons to reject that proposal. Throughout the debate, students have the opportunity to cross-examine one another. Policy debate format includes four 8-minute constructive cases, four 3-minute cross examinations, and four 5-minute individual rebuttals. The national high school debate topic will be used.
World Schools Debate (Supplemental)
Summary: Format combining “prepared” topics with “impromptu” topics with teams of 3-5 people. New to the Anchorage DDF Circuit.
World Schools Debate is a unique and dynamic form of debate, unlike any other practiced in the United States. World Schools Debate is a dynamic format combining “prepared” topics with “impromptu” topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specific issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. This highly interactive style of debate allows debaters to engage each other, even during speeches. This challenging format requires good teamwork and in-depth quality argumentation.
Congress (Supplemental)
Summary: Simulation of congressional session. Supplementary debate format, not done during the debate pattern, and not offered at every tournament.
A simulation of the U.S. legislative process in the Senate and the House, students generate a series of bills and resolutions for debate in Congressional Debate. Debaters (also referred to as Senators and Representatives) alternate delivering speeches for and against the topic in a group setting. An elected student serves as a presiding officer to ensure debate flows smoothly. Students are assessed on their research, argumentation, and delivery skills, as well as their knowledge and use of parliamentary procedure.
Drama Events
Drama Events
These are the forensics events most similar to acting where participants interpret literature. Competitors create the characters in a published story, making them seem living and real to the audience. Ultimately, the audience should feel as though they are watching the story unfold in real life. Students must employ a number of rhetorical devices and purposeful body language to effectively get their point across to the audience.
Duo Interpretation
TL;DR: Duo Interpretation competitors convey emotion through two people presentations.
Using off-stage focus, Duo Interpretation competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters.
Using off-stage focus, Duo Interpretation competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. Selections used in the contest shall be cuttings from published and printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry, or a digital publication that meets the already established NSDA Online Publications Rubric. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made. The presentation is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in the performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. This is a contest in interpretation. Performers will use off-stage focus. Actors will utilize stationary blocking to enhance the interpretation. They may move in any direction as long as they stay within an imaginary 6 foot by 6 foot box during the entire interpretation. Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two (2) pers on performance.
Duet Acting
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two people only. It must be a cutting from a play or screen play. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and two chairs must be provided for the actors. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Solo Acting
Eight (8) minutes maximum. It must be a cutting from a play, screen play, or performance poetry. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and one chair must be provided for the actor. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Dramatic Interpretation
TL;DR: Memorized dramatic interpretation, cut from published pieces. Focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters.
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Selections used in the contest shall be cuttings from published and printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry, or a digital publication that meets the already established NSDA Online Publications Rubric. If a selection does not meet the established Rubric, coaches may request an evaluation of the piece by the Rules Committee. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. Monologues are acceptable. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made. The presentation is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in a performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. Actors will utilize stationary blocking to enhance the interpretation. They may take a single step in any direction as long as they stay within an imaginary 3 foot-by-3 foot box during the entire interpretation.
Humorous Interpretation
TL;DR: Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Speech is memorized.
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Selections used in the contest shall be cuttings from published and printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry, or a digital publication that meets the already established NSDA Online Publications Rubric. If a selection does not meet the established Rubric, coaches may request an evaluation of the piece by the Rules Committee. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. Monologues are acceptable. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made. The presentation is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. Actors will utilize stationary blocking to enhance the interpretation. They may take a single step in any direction as long as they stay within an imaginary 3 foot-by-3 foot box during the entire interpretation.
Readers' Theatre
TL;DR: Twelve (12) minutes maximum. A group presentation in which an open script must be used, either in hand or on a lectern. Can have 4 performers maximum.
Selections used in the contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays, screen plays or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. A readers’ theater script may be a compilation of cuttings from multiple sources. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. During the presentation the group must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made. Only tournament attire is allowed. Different styles exist for Readers’ Theater. Do not penalize competitors for their choice of presentation style. Readers may move no further than three (3) feet from their original position. Readers may not touch each other. Sound effects are limited to those sounds that performers may make with their own bodies, scripts or stands. No props may be used.
Pantomime
TL;DR: Drama event with no spoken parts, performed with unlimited people
Eight (8) minutes maximum. Prepared presentation may include recorded instrumental music but no other sound effects or vocalization. Must not be an impersonation. Makeup and costuming are allowed, but not required. One chair per performer is the only prop allowed.
Forensic Events (Speech)
Forensic Events (Speech)
There are two types of speech events: platform and extemporaneous. Platform speaking events require students to conduct research on informative or persuasive topics, write an original speech, and deliver it from memory. Extemporaneous speaking events require students to be familiar with a wide range of issues. In these events, they are given 20-30 minutes to prepare an original speech on current events topics.
Extemporaneous Commentary
TL;DR: Speech prepared in 20 minutes based on a drawn topic. No notes are allowed during the presentation.
Two (2) to five (5) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. The contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one and has twenty (20) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestants are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. The commentary must be delivered seated behind a table or desk. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED.
Domestic/Foreign Extemporaneous Speech
TL;DR: Drawn topics relating to foreign or domestic issues. Presented on after 40 minutes, in 5 to 7 minute speeches. No notes are allowed during the presentation.
Five (5) to seven (7) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. The contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one (1), and has thirty (30) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestants are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. No magazines may be carried to the lectern.
Original Oration
TL;DR: Original Oratory is a speech written by the student with the intent to persuade the audience on a topic of significance.
Eight (8) to ten (10) minutes. The content of the speech must be original. The thesis should advocate a change from the status quo. The current debate subject may not be used. No audio-visual aids will be allowed. A manuscript must be given to the tournament director before competition. A different oration is required at each state competition. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. Not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing and such quotations shall be identified in a typewritten copy of the oration supplied at registration. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is prohibited.
Informative Speaking
TL;DR: Original written and memorized speech with an educational intention.
Six (6) to eight (8) minutes. This category requires an original, factual speech fulfilling the general end of informing the audience. Visual aids and audio clips not to exceed 15 seconds of the total speech may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. The speech must be the original work of the student. The speech must not have been used in competition prior to the current year. A manuscript must be submitted to the tournament director before competition begins
Have questions about events or rules? Contact one of the debate coaches or students at the bottom of the page here.
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