Speech events are often referred to as IE, or individual events. Not all competitions host every type of speech event but the following are pretty standard at competitions. IEs are a great way to start your career in Speech and Debate. Other than Impromptu, you have lots of time to prepare in advance through practice and you will not be interrupted or have to think on your feet.
Extemporaneous Speaking - (International Extemporaneous aka IX & US Extemporaneous aka USX)
A contestant draws three questions, selects one, then has 30 minutes to prepare a speech in response. The contestant utilizes files of published materials (books, magazines, newspapers, online sources) s/he has compiled as a resource for answering the question. At the completion of the 30 minute preparation period, the student speaks on the topic for up to 7 minutes. The NFL divides extemp. into two separate events: United States (dealing with domestic issues), and International (issues beyond US borders).
IX and USX Resources/Videos
Original Oratory (aka OO)
Orators are expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to the audience, about a topic of significance. 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. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation.
Original Oratory Resources/Videos
Dramatic Interpretation (aka DI)
This is an individual category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10 minutes which includes an introduction.
Dramatic Interpretation Resources/Videos
Humorous Interpretation (aka HI)
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Humorous Interpretation Resources/Videos
Duo Interpretation (aka Duo)
This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation. Time limit is 10 minutes.
Duo Interpretation Resources/Videos
Supplemental Events
Contestants eliminated from the main events after Round 8 of the National Tournament (or the runoff round in debate and LD) may participate in supplemental events if pre-registered. Some district tournaments may offer these events, as well.
Expository Address
Expository speeches are original compositions of the contestant. The Expository speech is a speech to inform, not a performance. It should describe, clarify, illustrate or define an object, idea, concept, or process. A fabricated topic/subject may not be used. In Expository, a student may not use any portion of his/her original oration entered at any NFL tournament. Maximum time of presentation is five minutes.
Extemporaneous Commentary
"Commentary is a combination of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. It requires a knowledge of current events as well as some history. Interestingly, it can frequently require the speaker to have a knowledge of local and regional issues. Frequently, TV and radio station managers offer 'commentary' on some trend or community problem. Editorial writers offer similar 'commentaries' of a journalistic nature." - Bro. Rene Sterner, FSC, May 1998 Rostrum
Poetry Reading
Poetry is writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. Poetry may rely on verse and stanza form. Only published, printed works may be used. No plays or other dramatic materials may be used. A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
Prose Reading
Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs: fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies). A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
Consolation Events
Contestants at the National Tournament eliminated after three days of competition may enter consolation events, if pre-registered.
Storytelling
Storytelling rules state a single published, printed story, anecdote, tale, myth or legend must be retold without notes or props. The student may not tell a story used previously in any NFL district and/or national tournament. The delivery must be extempore, not read. No book or script may be used. The contestant must not add original material or materially change the content of the story.
Impromptu Speaking
The Impromptu speech should be regarded as an original interpretation by the speaker of the designated topic as supported by varied materials and gives a contestant opportunity to be creative and imaginative. An impromptu speech should reveal the student's ability to organize her/his thoughts in a logical manner.
A contestant draws three questions, selects one, then has 30 minutes to prepare a speech in response. The contestant utilizes files of published materials (books, magazines, newspapers, online sources) s/he has compiled as a resource for answering the question. At the completion of the 30 minute preparation period, the student speaks on the topic for up to 7 minutes. The NFL divides extemp. into two separate events: United States (dealing with domestic issues), and International (issues beyond US borders).
IX and USX Resources/Videos
Original Oratory (aka OO)
Orators are expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to the audience, about a topic of significance. 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. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation.
Original Oratory Resources/Videos
Dramatic Interpretation (aka DI)
This is an individual category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. The time limit is 10 minutes which includes an introduction.
Dramatic Interpretation Resources/Videos
Humorous Interpretation (aka HI)
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Humorous Interpretation Resources/Videos
Duo Interpretation (aka Duo)
This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation. Time limit is 10 minutes.
Duo Interpretation Resources/Videos
Supplemental Events
Contestants eliminated from the main events after Round 8 of the National Tournament (or the runoff round in debate and LD) may participate in supplemental events if pre-registered. Some district tournaments may offer these events, as well.
Expository Address
Expository speeches are original compositions of the contestant. The Expository speech is a speech to inform, not a performance. It should describe, clarify, illustrate or define an object, idea, concept, or process. A fabricated topic/subject may not be used. In Expository, a student may not use any portion of his/her original oration entered at any NFL tournament. Maximum time of presentation is five minutes.
Extemporaneous Commentary
"Commentary is a combination of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. It requires a knowledge of current events as well as some history. Interestingly, it can frequently require the speaker to have a knowledge of local and regional issues. Frequently, TV and radio station managers offer 'commentary' on some trend or community problem. Editorial writers offer similar 'commentaries' of a journalistic nature." - Bro. Rene Sterner, FSC, May 1998 Rostrum
- Twenty minutes prior to the beginning of the round, the contestant draws three topics, selects one, and prepares a speech of no more than five minutes, consulting sources pursuant to the same rules governing materials and evidence in Extemporaneous Speaking.
- The presentation is delivered seated at a table or desk, striving for a delivery similar to that suitable for public commentary before community groups and/or media audiences. The contestant should speak clearly, persuasively, and conversationally. Word choice should be precise for accuracy and clarity.
- The contestant's content is to be judged on the general effectiveness of the delivery, the depth of the position developed, and the evidential, logical, and emotional support for the position taken. Contestants are not required to take a specific stance, but could choose any one of several possible positions, e.g., advocacy, criticism, concern, balanced objectivity, commendation, etc.
Poetry Reading
Poetry is writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. Poetry may rely on verse and stanza form. Only published, printed works may be used. No plays or other dramatic materials may be used. A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
Prose Reading
Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs: fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies). A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
Consolation Events
Contestants at the National Tournament eliminated after three days of competition may enter consolation events, if pre-registered.
Storytelling
Storytelling rules state a single published, printed story, anecdote, tale, myth or legend must be retold without notes or props. The student may not tell a story used previously in any NFL district and/or national tournament. The delivery must be extempore, not read. No book or script may be used. The contestant must not add original material or materially change the content of the story.
Impromptu Speaking
The Impromptu speech should be regarded as an original interpretation by the speaker of the designated topic as supported by varied materials and gives a contestant opportunity to be creative and imaginative. An impromptu speech should reveal the student's ability to organize her/his thoughts in a logical manner.