EVENTS, TIMES, RULES
All material must be published. Events requiring an introduction should contain the title and author of the piece. All material and language must be appropriate for a Jr. High audience--keep it "G" rated please.
Prose Max 7 minute plus 30 sec graceindividual performance sharing a story by using the voice, facial expression and simple gestures. Emphasis is on vocal control, eye contact, and showing understanding through interpretation. The performance should be presented from a notebook and the script should have a narrator. Duet, humorous and dramatic scripts are not suitable for prose. Movement below the waist should be minimal.
StorytellingMax7 minuteplus 30 sec graceperformance of literature written for an audience of children ages 3-9. The presentation should be memorized. Emphasis should be placed on exaggerated actions, vocal variety, and facial expressions. The performance should take place in a 3 foot radius.
Solo Impromptu Max8 min plus 30 sec grace individual event where a student is given anenvelope in which to draw three topics and choose one. Students will then have8 minutes, which may be divided any way they choose to prepare and perform. Emphasis is on original characters and unique topic development. Verbal time signals should be given while students are preparing topic and then hand time signals will be given starting at the time that students take the stage.
LIP SYNCMax7 minteam event. Teams of 1-5 persons will prepare in advance. Costumes and/or props will be allowed. However, we will not hold up the tournament to allow for student costume changes. Students who are cross-entered should be aware of time constraints. Students must provide their own music and players. No speaking is allowed.
Oratory Max10minute plus 30 sec grace original speech. The individual performance should be researched and written by the student and presented as a memorized speech. The format can be informative or persuasive, no more than 15% of the speech should be quoted material. Students should take an original approach to a current topic of interest and a conversational persuasive style is encouraged.
Poetry Max 7 minute plus 30 sec grace individual performance sharing a poem, using the voice, facial expression and simple gestures. Emphasis is on vocal control, eye contact, and showing understanding through interpretation. The performance should be presented from a notebook and the script should be written in a lyrical style. The literature does not have to rhyme, but needs to be recognized as poetry. Movement below the waist should be minimal.
Duet ImpromptuMax8 minute plus 30 sec graceteam event. Teams are given an envelope in which to draw 3 topics and choose one. Each team will then have8 minutes, which may be divided any way they choose to prepare and perform. Emphasis is on original characters and unique topic development. Verbal time signals should be given while students are preparing topic and then hand time signals will be given starting at the time that students take the stage.
PantomimeMax 5 minute individual performance suggesting a scene or abstract idea using only mime. No words should be used or mouthed during the scene. Background music without words may be used to accentuate tempo. No props, costumes or makeup, except one chair may be used. Emphasis is on facial expression, exaggerated movements, and precise movements. Creativity and originality are appreciated. The title should be spoken as the introduction.
Readers Theater Max 10minute group performance. The goal is to share literature by suggesting characters through voices, facial expressions and group interaction. Minimal props and costumes can be used to suggest characters. Stands and stools can be used, but must be provided by the contestants. No recorded music or sound effects will be allowed. Scripts must be presented from notebooks. An introduction should set the mood for the piece. The emphasis is on vocal control, character interaction and ensemble.Limited to6 students.
Humorous Interp Max10 minute plus 30 secmemorized performance of material that is humorous in nature. Material should be published and should be cuttings from plays, monologues, or short stories. Stand up comic routines are not appropriate. Performances encourage students to develop one or more characters through vocal control and physical interpretation. Movement should be limited to a 3 foot radius. No props are allowed.
Extemp Max7 minute plus 30 secpersuasive or informative speech about current events. Contestants will meet in an assigned room for the topic draw. At designated intervals, each speaker will draw 3 topics and choose one topic. They will have 30 minutes to outline and organize research material to support their ideas. They may write information on a note card, which can be used as a reference during the performance. Factual sources should be identified in the speech. The presentation should be conversational. The exact wording of the topic should be included in the introduction. Topics will be both foreign and domestic.
Duet ActingMax 10 minute plus 30 sec grace memorized performance of a published script that is humorous or dramatic in nature. No props, costumes, or special effects may be used. The blocking can include 2 chairs. Emphasis is on ensemble and partner interaction to convey the script. Actors may suggest more than one character. Blocking should be adaptable to fit the performance space. Duet participants may not be entered with more than one partner in this event.
Dramatic InterpMax10 plusminute plus 30 sec memorized performance of published material that is serious in nature. Material should be cuttings from plays, monologues, or short stories. Monologues from movies are not permitted. Performance should encourage students to develop one or more characters through vocal control and physical interpretation. Movement should be limited to a 3 foot radius. No props or costumes may be used.
VocalsMax7 minute individual or group performance that showcases the voices of the performers. The song may be performed acapella or have background music. The emphasis is on showmanship. Props and costumes are encouraged. Choreography must fit the performing space. The student is responsible for providing accompaniment music, power cord and CD player.
DeclamationMax 10 minute plus 30 second grace individual performance that involves a student delivering a non-original oration written by another person.The original speaker's words may not be altered for this presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. A student may not resuse material presented at any competition from a previous academic year. The coach should bring a copy of transpcript for verification purposes. The presentation should include an introduction that provides the title of the speech and the author, and should include relevant information about the situation in which the speech was originally delivered. This event is an exercise in interpretation, not mimicry, so the contestant should avoid trying to reproduce the delivery style of the original speaker. Each speech is presented as a memorized selection without the use of physical objects, script, or costume.
Public Forum Debateis made up of a team of two students who prepare both sides of a pre-determined resolution. The debate begins with a coin toss to decide which team will speak pro or con and which team will speak first and second. The winner of the coin toss chooses position and the team losing the coin toss chooses whether to speak first or second. Students will speak from prepared notes and will continutally be taking notes and writing speeches throughout the debate. A conversational rate of speaking is expected. Eye contact may be limited and this is acceptable. Students should stand on cross examination and take turns asking and answering questions. Yelling and being rude to the opponnent is frowned upon. Anyone observing the debate must be silent and may not take notes or talk to the debaters at anytime during the debate. Students, parents and coaches who choose to watch a debate must remain in the room the entire time. It is unethical for anyone not debating to write or prepare speeches for those who are debating. Coaches should refrain from "helping" students by flowing opponents and then preparing speeches for their students. This is a student activity and while coaching is certainly encouraged it should not consist of preparing speeches during the tournament for their students. The speaking format will be:
Team A Speaker 1: 4 minute constructive speech
Team B Speaker 1: 4 minute constructive speech
Cross Examination:3 minute (between first two speakers)
Team A Speaker 2: 4 minute constructive speech
Team B Speaker 2: 4 minute constructive speech
Cross Examination:3 minute (between second two speakers)
Team A Summary: 2 minute
Team B Summary: 2 minute
Grand Cross Fire: 3 minute ( between all four speakers)
Team A Final Focus: 2 minute
Team B Final Focus: 2 minute
Prep time of 2 minutes per side is allowed at debaters discretion.
Lincoln Douglas Debate is one person debate meaning that one person debates against one other person. Students should be prepared to debate both sides of a pre-determined resolution. .The affirmative speaker will start and end the debate. Students will speak from prepared notes and will continutally be taking notes and writing speeches throughout the debate. A conversational rate of speaking is expected. Eye contact may be limited and this is acceptable. Students should stand on cross examination and take turns asking and answering questions. Yelling and being rude to the opponnent is frowned upon. Anyone observing the debate must be silent and may not take notes or talk to the debaters at anytime during the debate. Students, parents and coaches who choose to watch a debate must remain in the room the entire time. It is unethical for anyone not debating to write or prepare speeches for those who are debating. Coaches should refrain from "helping" students by flowing opponents and then preparing speeches for their students. This is a student activity and while coaching is certainly encouraged it should not consist of preparing speeches during the tournament for their students. The speaking format will be:
Affirmative Constructive Speech6 minutes
Cross Examination by Negative3 minutes
Negative Constructive Speech7 minutes
Cross Examination by Affirmative 3 minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes
Negative Rebuttal 6 minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes
Prep time of4 minutes per side is allowed at debaters discretion.
Policy Debate
We will use the NFLtopic on transportation. The time frame is 8 minute constructives; 5 minute rebuttals and 3 minute cross examination. Prep time is 8 minutes per team.
Congress
We will use the TFA congress bills as follows: Prelims 22-34; Semis 11-21 and finals 1-10. We will follow the TFA rules for congressional debate.
Parliamentary Debate
Roll call and topic announcement will take place in the library and students may prep in the library or in the cafeteria. Students will have15 minutes to prepare prior to going to the round. Students need to arrive promptly for roll call.
First Proposition Constructive Speaker: 7 minutes
First Opposition Constructive Speaker: 8 minutes
Second Proposition Constructive Speaker: 8 minutes
Second Opposition Constructive Speaker: 8 minutes
Opposition Rebuttal by First Speaker: 4 minutes
Proposition Rebuttal by First Speaker: 5 minutes