RULES

Speaking Events Information

• Prose / Poetry finals will be based on Round 1 & 2 composite scores where a natural break happens and depending on # of contestants.

• Informative / Persuasive will be flighted into a finals round depending on their prelim order. We will have the top 2 from each prelim room in a medal round, and the next 2 in each room in a consolation round.

• We will have the top 2 from each prelim room in a medal round, and the next 2 in each room in a consolation round.

• All debate contestants will have the chance to compete in extemp.

• All debate coaches should be available as judges for any prelim round.

• Soapbox:

  • Get up on your soapbox and go off. 5 minute maximum and no notes allowed. There will not be any grace period. Language and topics should be school appropriate. Judges' decisions are final.

• Storytelling:

  • Students will need to prepare their pieces in advance and bring the original book for them to read from. 7 minute maximum, no grace period. The title and author must be presented in your performance. You must use the story book in your performance. The idea here is that you are reading to a classroom of students. Actual students or elementary teachers will be used in final rounds as judges.

• Impromptu Speaking:

  • Each contestant will draw 5 topics and choose 1 each round. Contestants will have 8 minutes to use as they choose for preparation and speaking, but must conclude their speech before their 8 minutes are up.