What is it?
Long Version:
Speech is a separate entity from debate within our team, and often, one is able to couple one or more speech events with debate events. There are a wide variety of different types of speech events, which will be listed here.
NOTE: Some of these events are sanctioned by the National Speech and Debate Association (Marked with an asterisk [*]) while some of these are only events offered in California.
There are four broad categories of speech events:
TL;DR:
Don't have enough time for extracurriculars? Intrigued by the art of BS-ing? Want to be an overachiever and do TWO speech and debate events? ... JOIN SPEECH
Speech is a separate entity from debate within our team, and often, one is able to couple one or more speech events with debate events. There are a wide variety of different types of speech events, which will be listed here.
NOTE: Some of these events are sanctioned by the National Speech and Debate Association (Marked with an asterisk [*]) while some of these are only events offered in California.
There are four broad categories of speech events:
- The Interpretation events: These events involve getting an already-published selection of text and whittling it down to at most ten minutes in length. The types of interpretation events are:
- Duo Interpretation*: Two competitors work together to craft an interpretation of a single selection of literature that captivates the audience. Emphasis is placed on character interaction and synergy.
- Dramatic Interpretation*: The competitor delivers a serious or emotional passage from a piece of literature. Emphasis is placed on emotion and character progression.
- Humorous Interpretation*: The competitor creates an amusing rendition from a single piece of literature such as a book, play, or movie. The competitor must connect with the audience through the use of humor.
- Oratorical Interpretation: The competitor gives an original interpretation of a published speech or presentation. The works can range from spoken poems to commencement addresses.
- Thematic Interpretation*: An interpretation of three to five different works which all have a common theme. Competitors must develop a theme to go with the general topic.
- The Original events: In these events, competitors must write and develop their own works to present, and again have a ten-minute time limit. The Original events are:
- Original Advocacy: The competitor must present a problem (such as medical malpractice), its significance, and a sensible legislative solution to fix it.
- Original Oratory*: The competitors write their own speech about a subject of their choosing, typically a subject of broad importance. Quotes are limited, so competitors must use logical and emotional appeals.
- Original Prose and Poetry: Competitors write and present a work crafted in a poetic or prose style, and it can be any topic of their choosing.
- Expository: Competitors inform the audience about an object or process (such as the solar system or climate change) using presentation boards as props. This is the only speech event that allows the use of props.
- The Extemporaneous (Extemp) events: These are the most debate-like speech events offered at CCA. For these events, a competitor is given three potential questions, to which he has 30 minutes to create a speech answering one of them, delivering from memory. The speech must be seven minutes or less. With these events, usage of documents and articles saved offline are acceptable during preparation time, meaning that collecting articles throughout the year is a viable strategy for aspiring extemporaneous speakers. There are two types of Extemp events:
- National/United States Extemp*: Questions revolve around United States domestic and foreign policy.
- International Extemp*: Questions revolve around global politics and affairs.
- Impromptu: This speech event has its own broad category because of its unique qualities that distinguish it from the other categories. In Impromptu speaking, a competitor is given three phrases, words, or quotes, to which they must pick one and prepare a five-minute speech discussing their chosen selection. However, only two minutes of prep time are allowed.
TL;DR:
Don't have enough time for extracurriculars? Intrigued by the art of BS-ing? Want to be an overachiever and do TWO speech and debate events? ... JOIN SPEECH
useful Links
Competition Events from the NSDA