Differing events require varied speaking skills
Speech, debate and drama require a variety of skills for a variety of events.
In Montana, most events are open to students in all schools. Some events are restricted to Class AA schools. Drama events are only open to Class A, B and C schools.
In the Flathead Valley, only Bigfork High School competes in drama events.
Following is a brief description of speech, debate and drama events:
Speech events
Memorized events
n Expository Speaking - The speech is intended to inform or enlighten the audience. Speakers may use visual aids, especially posters.
n Memorized Public Address - Speakers present and analyze an address previously delivered to an audience. Students use dramatic skills to present the memorized speech and writing skills to analyze it.
n Original Oratory - A speaker presents a memorized speech intended to persuade the audience.
Interpretive events
n Duo Oral Interpretation - Partners perform a published work with a humorous or dramatic theme in this varsity-only event. Only Class AA schools compete in this event.
n Humorous Oral Interpretation - Students read a humorous published piece of literature. Gestures are not allowed, but dramatic skills are essential.
n Serious Oral Interpretation - Students read a published piece of writing with a serious theme. Like its humorous counterpart, gestures are not allowed, but dramatic skills are vital.
Short preparation events
n Extemporaneous Speaking - A speaker has a half-hour to prepare a five- to seven-minute persuasive speech using current periodicals and files relating to a current social, political, national or international event.
n Impromptu Speaking - A speaker is given three minutes to prepare a three- to five-minute speech. The topics are presented as quotations or editorial cartoons.
Debate events
n Legislative Debate - This is a varsity-only event in which the speaker researches a monthly topic and constructs arguments. Speakers must be adept in persuasion, prepared speaking and impromptu speaking. Only Class AA schools compete in this event.
n Lincoln-Douglas Debate - Students debate one-on-one on a variety of topics. The national topic changes monthly. This event is modeled after the famous debates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas had during the 1858 election for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat.
n Public Forum Debate - In this varsity-only team event, students advocate or reject a position on a topic. Students attempt to persuade a nonspecialist that their views are correct. Only Class AA schools compete in this event.
n Policy Debate - Two speakers debate another duo on a policy-oriented issue. This year's topic is whether the U.S. federal government should substantially increase social services for people living in poverty in the United States.
Drama events
n Humorous or Serious Solo Acting - A competitor memorizes and acts out a scene or series of scenes that tell a story and create a character.
n Humorous or Serious Duo Acting - These events are the same as the above, but with two people.
n Classical Duo - Two people act out a piece written before 1918.
n Pantomime - A student acts without words, to music, in order to tell a story.