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Competition Events

Competition Events
 
NSDA
                                                          
MHSAA
                                                 
NCFL
The Madison Central Speech and Debate team competes in all events sanctioned by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) or the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).  This page provides a brief description of each event.  A more detailed description of most events can be found at the NSDA website.  The state handbook for speech and debate competition, which contains event guidelines and tips, is available at the MHSAA's website.

Debate Events
 
Public Forum Debate:  This is a form of two-on-two team debate that emphasizes strong reasoning and speaking skills, rather than citing extensive amounts of evidence.  Topics change every month and generally are related to current events.  Typical past resolutions include "Resolved, NATO improves the lives of Afghan citizens," and "Resolved, that plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system."
 
Lincoln Douglas Debate:  This is one-on-one debate. Topics change every two months, and deal with a mix of moral, philosophical and policy issues. Typical resolutions might be: "Resolved, that permitting assisted suicide is morally justified," and "Resolved, that the United States ought not possess nuclear weapons."
 
Congressional Debate:  This is a simulated congressional debate. A large number of students—anywhere from about ten to about forty—compete in each "house" or "chamber," and elect one of their own to serve as presiding officer. The topics for debate come from "bills," which are pieces of legislation written by students and submitted in advance of the tournament.
 
Policy Debate:  This is a form of two-on-two debate in which students debate on a single general area of public policy in great depth for an entire school year.  Policy debate emphasizes research skills and tactical decision-making over pure speaking ability.  This year's topic is ocean exploration and development.  Past topics include transportation infrastructure and Latin American relations.
 
Public Speaking Events
 
Original Oratory:  In this event, the student prepares an original, memorized speech of up to ten minutes on any topic.  Successful speeches will be both persuasive and entertaining, with a relaxed, conversational (yet professional) delivery.
 
Declamation:  In this event, which is open only to freshmen and sophomores, students memorize and deliver a speech given by someone else.  Examples range from "I Have A Dream" to university commencement speeches.
 
Expository Speaking:  The student will write, memorize and deliver a speech meant to inform the listener, rather than persuade.  Topics might range from adverse drug reactions to net neutrality to the history of Sumo wrestling.
 
Limited Preparation Events
 
Extemporaneous Speaking:  Students draw a question relating to current events, then have thirty minutes to prepare a speech (up to seven minutes long) addressing the question.  Students typically prepare files of magazine and newspaper articles on various subjects, which they use in preparing to speak.  Examples of topics might be:  "Will the Supreme Court invalidate the health care reform law?" or "How should the United States respond to China's devaluation of its currency?"
 
Impromptu Speaking:  Each competitor will draw a topic, then will have seven minutes total to prepare and deliver a speech on that topic.  Topics might be anything from quotations to book titles to abstract concepts.  The best competitors will be able to pull together a well-organized speech with a clear thesis and specific examples with very little preparation. 
  
Extemporaneous Commentary:  This event is similar to Extemporaneous Speaking, but questions are more focused on matters of opinion.  The speech is delivered from behind a desk, in the style of a television commentator.
 
Interpretation Events
 
Dramatic Interpretation:  Students memorize and perform a selection from a piece of literature -- usually a play, but possibly a novel or short story.  The performance may be up to ten minutes, and should be mostly serious (as opposed to humorous) in tone.  Students often assume one or more characters in the performance.  While some movement is permitted, competitors are expected to "interpret," rather than act out, the piece.
 
Humorous Interpretation:  This event is identical to Dramatic Interpretation, except that the selection should be mostly humorous.  Top competitors often perform multiple characters and have excellent comic timing.
 
Duo Interpretation/Duet Acting:  A two person team performs a memorized selection of literature that may be serious or humorous in tone.  Typically, the selection is a scene from a play with two characters.  Among top competitors, movement is carefully planned and well-rehearsed.
 
Prose/Poetry Interpretation:  The competitor gives a reading of prose or poetry from a script.  At some tournaments, the two events are combined, with competitors alternating between prose and poetry readings each round.  At most tournaments, "Prose" and "Poetry" are two separate events.
 
Storytelling:  Students perform a memorized story in a highly animated style, suitable for entertaining children.