Description of Events
Our League competes 17 events, comprised of 12 individual events, 4 debates, and Congress. More detailed information about each event can be found in our SDIVSL bylaws or the CHSSA bylaws.
SPEECH EVENTS
Original Oratory
Students compose and memorize a ten-minute non-fictional speech on any topic or issue, and then deliver it, keeping in mind the aspects of quality public speaking. This speech is meant to persuade or inspire a change of heart or mind.
Original Advocacy
A persuasive speech in which the speaker writes and presents an issue and advocates a legal solution.
Informational Speaking
An original speech in which the speaker informs the audience about a topic of choice. Students may use visual aids/posters.
Impromptu Speaking
Speakers will receive three topics from a judge. They select one, plan for two minutes, and then present a speech of no more than five minutes. Topics are randomly generated from a variety of categories, including but not limited to: quotes, themes, historical events, people, current events, etc.
National Extemporaneous
Involves the selection, preparation, and presentation of a seven minute max. speech on a topic relating to United States domestic and foreign policy, domestic commerce, politics, economy, and the like. During the speech, both the oratorical and persuasive aspects of the presentation are emphasized-and the speech is to be delivered entirely from memory. During the thirty-minute preparation, references may be made to magazine and newspaper articles retrieved from files compiled during the season.
International Extemporaneous
Follows much the same style as US Extemp, but it deals with the analysis of foreign politics, economics, and the like.
Dramatic Interpretation
This event involves memorization and performance of a ten-minute dramatic "cutting" from a play, novel, or movie script. The performer may play one or more characters and will be judged on how well they interpret them.
Humorous Interpretation
This event is quite similar to Dramatic Interp, with two major distinctions. The first is that the ten-minute cutting should be humorous by nature, and the second is that monologues are frowned upon in this event. The student is judged based on the character distinctions and creative interpretation.
Duo Interpretation
This event involves two performers presenting a 10-minute segment of a play. Like Humor and Drama above, they may perform one or several roles. Performers may not look at or interact directly with one another. Acting is expected, but the performers must synchronize their movements.
Program Oral Interpretation
Using selections from Prose, Poetry and Drama students create a ten minute performance around a central theme. Program Oral Interpretation 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.
Original Prose and Poetry
Competitors write their own material in the form of their choice. In can be funny, dramatic, or a combination of both, poetry or prose.
Oratorical Interpretation
Participants must memorize and present a ten-minute speech written by someone other than the presenter. This could range from famous speeches or the Original Oratory piece of a previous participant.
DEBATE EVENTS
Student Congress
Learn to be a mock senator or congress person by writing legislation and then trying to pass them in a debated session of “Congress.” These students will also be competing in other events to strengthen speaking and preparation skills as well as maximize their talents.
Parli Debate
Competitors are given a topic and have 20 minutes to prepare to debate with a partner.
Public-Forum Debate
Debate with a partner on a different current event every month. Cross-fire cross examination is a crucial part of the round.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Individual debate on the moral issues of the day. The topics changes every other month.
Policy Debate
Debate with a partner to advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government or security discourse. Affirmative teams generally present a plan as a proposal for implementation of the resolution. The negative will generally prove that it would be better not to do the plan or that the opportunity costs to the plan are so great that it should not be implemented. Policy also includes a period of cross examination.