Events Information

Per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations, computer use in rounds are allowed in Policy, LD, PF debate, radio speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and prose/poetry as long as wireless connections are off. Because Congress is not a MSHSAA event, students may use computers in their sessions, as long as they are not connected to the wireless network.

Congressional debate

Per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations, computer use in rounds are allowed in Policy, LD, PF debate, radio speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and prose/poetry as long as wireless connections are off. Because Congress is not a MSHSAA event, students may use computers in their sessions, as long as they are not connected to the wireless network.

There will be three preliminary sessions of Congress. Judges will rank the top eight representatives (possibly but not necessarily including the presiding officer) after scoring all speeches and the presiding officer in each session. There will be one final session of 12 to 15 representatives; depending on the number of entries, the top three to five representatives in each house will advance to the final session.

Representatives will advance from the preliminary sessions to the final session if they have the lowest cumulative ranks from their three preliminary sessions. Ties will be broken by total speech scores. In the final session, a panel of judges will rank the top eight representatives (possibly but not necessarily including the presiding officer) after scoring all speeches and the presiding officer in each session.

Representatives will be awarded 1st through 6th place from the final session based on the lowest cumulative ranks. Ties will be broken by judge’s preference. A permanent presiding officer award will be given to a student who has presided over at least one session of Congress; qualified nominations will be taken from representatives in the final session and voted upon by the same. Representatives who receive the permanent presiding officer award remain eligible for 1st through 6th place awards.

Legislation should be submitted via email to by Friday, January 26th, 2018. Legislation will be posted by Monday, January 29th, 2018, on the Congress Legislation downloadable attached in Speechwire.

International and Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking

Following the new NSDA Evidence Rule guidelines we will be having people randomly observe Extemporaneous Speaking rounds. Their purpose will be to fact check the speakers as the speeches are being done. This is being done in an effort to be sure the articles being quoted by the speakers actually exist on a national basis and we will be supporting this effort locally.

Per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations, computer use in rounds are allowed in Policy, LD, PF debate, radio speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and prose/poetry as long as wireless connections are off. Thirty minutes will be allowed for preparation of a speech to answer a question on current issues with separate events for international and domestic topics. Drawings will be held at seven minute intervals. Maximum time limit is 7 minutes. We will follow the NFL format of speakers staying in the preparation room until it is time for them to deliver their speech.

Those who are double entered in extemporaneous speaking and another event should go to draw first as extemporaneous speaking takes precedence. Upon arrival in draw, notify the extemporaneous speaking staff that you are double entered and you will be moved up in order. No food or drinks are permitted in the library at any time. If you are more than ten minutes late to draw, the tournament director reserves the right to declare a forfeit for the round.

Original Oratory

This persuasive speech must be the student’s work and be presented from memory. No more than 150 words of quoted material will be allowed. The time limit is 10 minutes.

Informative Speaking:

Students author and deliver a speech on a topic of their choosing. Competitors create the speech to educate the audience on a particular topic. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. Visual aids are permitted, but not required. The speech is delivered from memory. A fabricated topic/subject may not be used. Maximum time of presentation is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time limit.

Program Oral Interpretation:

Using selections from Prose, Poetry and Drama students create a performance around a central theme. Program Oral Interpretation is designed to test a student’s ability tointersplice 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. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time limit. Program Oral Interpretation: Using selections from Prose, Poetry and Drama students create a 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. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time limit.

Humorous and Dramatic Interpretation

The student will present, from memory, a cutting from a published novel, short story, or play. The time limit is 10 minutes. There will be separate events for humorous and dramatic topics.

Duo Interpretation

Two performers will perform a memorized scene from a published source. Selections may be humorous or dramatic. Focus should remain offstage during the performance itself, with performers allowed to look at each other only during the introduction. Performers may play multiple characters. Limited movement is allowed. The time limit is 10 minutes.

Radio Broadcasting

The student will read a five minute broadcast of international, national, and state/local news. Sports, weather, and a commercial should be included. News and sports should be no more than 24 hours old. Time should be exactly five minutes.

Prose/Poetry

Per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations, computer use in rounds are allowed in Policy, LD, PF debate, radio speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and prose/poetry as long as wireless connections are off. Each student must read a prose/poetry (performer’s choice) selection from a published work that meets acceptable literary standards (excluding play scripts) and must present an introduction written by the student. The time limit for this event, including introduction, shall be not more than eight minutes.

Storytelling

The student shall perform a published, copyrighted, printed story of his/her choice, originally intended for children. No costumes or properties may be used. The student will narrate the story in a combination of his/her own words and original essential phrases, having it well enough in mind to share it adequately with the intended audience. The story must be told from a seated position on a chair or stool, and the student should use good speaking practices with an emphasis on conversational style and spontaneous bodily activity. The time limit shall be not be more than eight minutes, including the introduction.