Speech and Debate

List of 10 items.

• Dramatic Performance

  Students present selections from published plays, screenplays, fictional or non-fictional work that are either serious or humorous in nature. The selections must be memorized with a maximum length of ten minutes.

• Duo Interpretation of Literature

  A presentation by two participants of a single selection of literature. Each performer may present one or more characters. Each character should be sufficiently developed and should interact meaningfully with the other characters. The sections must be memorized. Movement should be limited and suggested rather than exaggerated. The maximum length is ten minutes.

• Extemporaneous Speaking

  Each student draws three topics on current domestic, international, or economic issues; chooses one and has thirty minutes to prepare a speech of a maximum length of seven minutes. Students may use periodicals or other published materials, filed beforehand, to assist them. Students may not refer to any written notes during the speech. 

• Oral Interpretation of Literature

  Students present selections in two categories -- prose and poetry. Each selection must be a maximum of ten minutes in length. The student must hold a manuscript and appear to be reading. The students alternate between rounds of prose and rounds of poetry. 

• Oratorical Declamation

  Open to students in the ninth or tenth grades only. Students must use a speech or portion of a speech previously given by another person. The speech must be memorized with a maximum length of ten minutes. 

• Original Oratory

  Students prepare original orations, usually persuasive on a current topic. Any topic is permissible and any form of oration is permitted. The presentation must be memorized, with a maximum length of ten minutes. 

• Impromptu (Supplemental Event)

  Students draw a topic or quotation, and have two minutes to prepare and five minutes to speak on that topic or quotation.    Impromptu is a non-national-qualifying event in the BCFL.

• Children’s Literature (Supplemental Event)

  Students read a children’s story from a manuscript and attempt to bring the story to life.  The maximum length is ten minutes.  Children’s Literature is a non-national-qualifying event in the BCFL.

• Informative Speaking (NSDA Event only)

  Students write an original speech designed to inform others about an issue or topic. The speech must be memorized and has a maximum length of ten minutes. This event is not offered in the BCFL, but only at tournaments that run under NSDA rules.

• Programmed Oral Interpretation (NSDA Event only)

  Students interweave prose, poetry, and drama selections, centered around a main theme. The student reads from a manuscript.  The maximum length is ten minutes. This event is not offered in the BCFL, but only at tournaments that run under NSDA rules.