IDEA :: International Debate Education Association

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Events

Events

Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Duet Acting, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Cross-Examination Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Parliamentary Debate, Storytelling, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Declamation, Television Commercial.

Entry Rules

Each school is limited to 45 total entries. A school may not enter more than 6 students in any one event. Schools may enter students on the waiting list for each event, up to a maximum of 6 students wait-listed per event. Schools will be notified on June 12th if they will be removed from a waiting list. To put students on the waiting list for an event, email Kate Shuster at kate.shuster@claremontmckenna.edu with your school's name, the names of the students you wish to waitlist, and the events in which you wish to waitlist them. The waitlist does not trump the 45 entry cap.

DEBATE - Public Forum, Parliamentary Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Cross-Examination Debate

SECTION A - Storytelling, Duet Acting

SECTION B - Extemporaneous Speaking, Prose Interpretation, Original Oratory, Television Commercial, Dramatic Interpretation

SECTION C - Impromptu Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Declamation, Poetry Interpretation

Students may enter only one event in Debate. If students enter Debate, they may not enter Section A.
Students may enter up to two events in Section A.
Students may enter up to two events in Section B.
Students may enter up to two events in Section C.

The topic for CX Debate is the NFL national tournament topic.

The topic for LD and Public Forum will be the NFL national tournament topic listed on the NFL website.

Event Rules

All National Forensic League rules will be followed in all speech and debate events. Therefore, it should be stressed that all interpretation event material must be published works of some literary merit. Adaptations of television skits or other non-published material are prohibited.

Please Note:

• It is important to note that participants in extemporaneous speaking will be permitted to have one 3x5 notecard with them when they deliver their speech.

• Poetry and prose will have a seven-minute time limit instead of the five-minute time limit specified in the NFL rules. Again, this only affects poetry and prose.

Supplemental Event Rules

Storytelling

Students will present a story from a published source. The selection should be appropriate for children age's five to twelve. Contestants may either sit or stand. A copy of the actual story/book may be used as a visual aid during the performance. Focus should be on the literature - excessive movement is discouraged. No props or costumes are allowed. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Television Commercial

Students will be given a choice of three products or objects and will have a total of two minutes to select one and prepare a sale commercial. The commercial should give the name of the product, sales price, and way(s) to purchase. Time limit: 2 minutes

Declamation

Students will perform a memorized speech. Speeches may be historical, political, social, etc. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Duet Acting

Selections used in Duet Acting shall be cuttings from a single source from a published printed novel, short story, play, poem, or screenplay. Proof that the material is printed and published shall be available to the tournament director upon request. The selections shall be serious or humorous works. Time for presentation shall not exceed twelve minutes with a thirty second grace period. Each selection shall include an introduction which shall set the scene and mood and include the title and author of the work. Time for the introduction shall be included in the time limit. The selection shall be memorized and presented without the use of physical objects (props, hand props, or scenery) or costume. Two chairs will be allowed. The two chairs will be used to create atmosphere and environment. No portion of a work used by either student prior to the current school year or during the current year in another event. The same selection shall be used for the duration of the tournament. A student may compete with one partner and one selection at a given tournament. Cuttings should maintain the author's intent, and additional words may be added for transitional purposes only.

Parliamentary Debate

Rules and format of the National Parliamentary Debate Association will apply EXCEPT that all constructive speeches will be 7 minutes long and both rebuttals will be 5 minutes long. In addition, only points of information are permitted. There will be no points of order or points of personal privilege allowed. TEAMS WILL HAVE 25 MINUTES TO PREPARE FOR EACH DEBATE. The motion for debate will be announced in a common location for all teams at the start of each round. Topics will be abstract, political, or social in nature.

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