Information about ALL the events. 

Speaking Events

*Extemporaneous Speaking: (Extemp, DX, FX, IX, PF) Speakers are given 30 minutes to prepare a 7 minute speech on current issues. Speakers take information from extemp files which contain articles from inter­net news sources. To compete in this event, you must help with the upkeep of the files. There are several types of extemp: Domestic, Foreign, Informative, and Persuasive.

Original Oratory: (OO) A ten minute memorized speech written by the contestant, with no more than 150 quoted words. This speech can be on any topic but is usually motivational in nature. As an orator, you will be ex­pected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to your audience, about a topic you have chosen. Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. Your oration may simply alert the audience to a threatening danger, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person.

Student Congress: (SC) This is individual debate in a large group setting. Legislative debaters research and write pieces of Congressional legislation that they feel will better the society in which we live. At a tournament, debaters will then speak on the legislation while using proper parliamentary procedure. Judges score each com­petitor based on argumentation ability, speaking technique, knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and overall participation.

Impromptu: (IMP) This is usually a consolation event that involves speaking with little or no preparation. A topic is drawn and the speaker has a total of seven minutes to prepare AND give a speech. You may not only compete in this event as it is not a qualifying event.

Debate Events

Cross-Examination Debate: (CX, Cross-X, Partner, Team or Policy debate) Two-person teams debate one resolution all year that proposes a plan to solve a problem. The 2013-2014 Topic is, "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela."

*Lincoln-Douglas Debate: (LD or Value debate) A one on one debate about philosophical issues. This topic changes five to six times during the tournament season. The debate requires a keen awareness of values, history and philosophy. The Spring 2013 UIL Topic is, "Resolved: In matters of justice, John Rawls' Difference Principle ought to be preferred over Robert Nozick's Entitlement Theory." The NFL March/April Topic is, "Resolved: The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses."

Public Forum Debate: (PF) Public Forum Debate is an audience-friendly debate. You and a partner will debate controver­sial issues that are "stripped" from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be announced on the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org . A Public Forum Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your side and speaker position. Public Forum will test your skills in argumenta­tion, cross-examination, and refutation. The NFL April 2013 Topic is, "Resolved: The continuation of current U.S. anti-drug policies in Latin America will do more harm than good."

Acting Events

Dramatic & Humorous Interpretation: (DI or HI) Students select and memorize a ten minute scene (including in­troduction) that is either dramatic or humorous in nature, depending on the event. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. This is an individual event, so the contestant portrays all characters in the scene.

Duet Acting: (DA) Students select, memorize and perform a 12 minute scene from a play. This scene can be either humorous or dramatic, but only two chairs may be used as props to perform the scene.

Duo Interpretation: (Duo) Similar to duet, but the actors do not touch each other and use off stage focus. No chairs may be used. The maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

*Represent the events beginners usually focus on

The names in (parenthesis) and italicized are common abbreviations for that event