Listed below by category are the speech and debate events which NJSDL competitors may choose to compete in. To learn more about a particular event, scroll below for a description as well as sample ballots. At the Borelli Memorial Tournament and NJSDL State Championships, all of the events below are run, but at the NJ District Qualifying Tournament, events that are marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT offered.
Click Here for a comprehensive guide to NSDA events.
Speech Events
Public Address and Limited Preparation Events
International Extemporaneous Speaking (IX)
Each student shall prepare a speech of not less than four nor more than seven minutes on one of three topics drawn at random. Students will receive thirty minutes of preparation time before being called on to speak. References to books and magazines, but not previously prepared notes, may be made during the preparation period. No notes may be used during the presentation.
Questions in this topic will pertain to the domestic and foreign policies of other nations, as well as the foreign policy of the United States. Cross-examination may be used during the Final Round.
For now, IX and DX Ballots are identical. FEW TOURNAMENTS MAKE THE SEPARATION BETWEEN DX AND IX.
Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking (DX)
Each student shall prepare a speech of not less than four nor more than seven minutes on one of three topics drawn at random. Students will receive thirty minutes of preparation time before being called on to speak. References to books and magazines, but not previously prepared notes, may be made during the preparation period. No notes may be used during the presentation.
Questions in this topic will pertain United States domestic and foreign policy. Cross-examination may be used during the Final Round.
Original Oratory (OO)
Each student shall take no less than five nor more than ten minutes to deliver, from memory, a speech written entirely by himself/herself on a topic of his/her own choosing. The total number of quoted words may not exceed 150. A neat, typed copy of the original oration, with quoted material highlighted, must be brought to the contest by the contestant.
All NJSDL rules apply to this event
Informative Speaking
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Informative Speaking competitors craft a speech using evidence, logic, and optional visual aids. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. The speech is delivered from memory.
Declamation (DEC)*
Each student shall take not less than five nor more than ten minutes to present from memory all or part of an oration prepared and delivered previously by some person other than himself/herself. A copy of the printed selection must be available for inspection by the Executive Board.
The original speaker and the setting of the speech will be stated in the introduction.
Impromptu Speech (IMP)*
Each student shall not take more than seven minutes, divided as the contestant chooses between preparation, to deliver a scene based on one of three topics drawn at random. The scene may be delivered as a monologue or as a dialogue between multiple characters.
Improvisational Acting (IMV)*
Each student shall not take more than seven minutes, divided as the contestant chooses between preparation, to deliver a scene based on one of three topics drawn at random. The scene may be delivered as a monologue or as a dialogue between multiple characters.
Interpretation Events
Dramatic Interpretation (DI)
Each student shall take no less than five nor more than ten minutes to present, from memory, a dramatic reading which may be complete or excerpted from a longer reading. Original selections may not be used, and published selections of merit will be required. In order that this event be correctly understood as an exercise in interpretation and not solo acting, the use of properties is not permitted. A copy of the printed selection must be available for inspection by the Executive Board.
All NJSDL rules apply to this event, including sources for cuttings.
Humorous Interpretation (HI)
Each student shall take no less than five nor more than ten minutes, including audience reaction, to present from memory, a humorous reading which may be complete or excerpted from a longer reading. Original selections may not be used, and published selections of merit will be required. In order that this event be correctly understood as an exercise in interpretation and not solo acting, the use of properties is not permitted. A copy of the printed selection must be available for inspection by the Executive Board.
All NJSDL rules apply to this event, including sources for cuttings.
Duo Interpretation (DUO)
Each student team shall take no less than five nor more than ten minutes, including audience reaction, to present from memory, a dialogue from a published source. Original selections may not be used, and published selections of merit will be required. In order that this event be correctly understood as an exercise in interpretation and not duet acting, the use of properties is not permitted. Each partner may present one or multiple characters. A copy of the printed selection must be available for inspection by the Executive Board.
All NJDSL rules apply to this event, including sources for cuttings.
Program Oral Interpretation (POI)
Each student creates a program of oral interpretation of thematically-linked selections chosen from two or three genres: prose, poetry, drama (plays). A primary focus of this event should be on the development of the theme or argument through the use of narrative, story, language, and/or characterization. Competitors are encouraged to devote approximately equal times to each of the genres used in the program. At least two pieces of literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used. The use of a manuscript is required. Time Limit: 10 minutes max with a 30 second grace period. Sources must meet all Association Interp rules for publication.
Program Oral Interpretation Judging Criteria: An introduction should set the stage, enhancing the interpretation of the literature to the audience, providing information and analysis to the chosen theme. All selections must be verbally identified by title and author. However, where, when, and how these are accomplished are the speaker’s decisions.
Oral Interpretation (OI)*
Oral Interpretation (OI) is a combination of Poetry (POE) and Prose (PRO). Occasionally you may see these events separated out individually (such as at NSDA Nationals), but typically they are joined together. Each round alternates between Poetry and Prose, with a coin flip to determine which goes first.
POETRY: Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of Poetry with a time limit of 10 minutes, including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors. Reading from a book or magazine is prohibited.
PROSE: Using short story, parts of a novel, or other published work of prose, students provide an interpretation of one or more selections with a time limit of 10 minutes, including introduction. Typically a single piece of literature, Prose can be drawn from works of fiction or non-fiction. Prose corresponds to usual (ordinary/common) patterns of speech and may combine elements of narration and dialogue. Students may not use poetry, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Prose, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors. Reading from a book or magazine is prohibited.
Debate Events
Public Forum Debate and Lincoln-Douglas Debate have three divisions–Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Novice; Policy Debate has Varsity and Novice; Congressional Debate may have one open division, or Varsity and Novice, as registration calls for.
Policy Debate
Policy Debate follows the format and rules put forth by the National Speech and Debate League. At the NJSDL States and Scholarship Tournaments, we use the National topic published by the National Speech and Debate Association for the current school year. The time constraints for Debate competition at these Tournaments are:
* 8 minute constructives
* 3 minute cross-examination
* 5 minute rebuttals.
* 5 minute running prep time
Lincoln Douglas Debate
Lincoln Douglas is a debate about values, modeled after the actual historical debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during their Senate race in 1858. Those debates dealt with the major moral issue of the day – slavery – and as such, modern LD debates focus very heavily on social justice and other moral behaviors in domestic and international affairs.
Students prepare cases – prewritten arguments, logic, and evidence – for topics that last two months on a variety of moral and ethical issues. During debates, once cases are read, rebuttals and refutation occurs, along with cross-examination questions. Debates typically last about 45 minutes, and are leveled according to the experience level of the debaters.
Public Forum Debate
Public Forum Debate is a team debate in which topics related to current affairs of public interest are debated. Public Forum is particularly concerned with evidence-based conclusions and arguments, and usually reflect the usefulness or benefit for adopting a particular policy position. It is designed to be accessible, for both competitors and judges.
Competitors in Public Forum typically write cases – prewritten arguments – every month for a new topic, focusing on arguments, evidence, and connecting the two. During debates, a priority is placed on a clash of ideas and arguments, as well as deciding what the terms and framework of the debate are. Rebuttals, refutations, and questioning make up the bulk of the debate, along with competitors tailoring their arguments to convince a judge that they have won. Debates typically last about 45 minutes, and are leveled according to the experience level of the debaters.
Congressional Debate
Congressional Debate (formerly known as Student Congress) is a mix of debate elements (topics, legislation, questioning) and speech elements (delivering speeches and role-playing). Students who do Congressional debate write their own legislation, give speeches on their bills and other bills up for debate, and ask/answer questions, all before giving a final vote on the matter at hand.
Chambers size typically ranges between 10-20 students, and knowledge of basic parliamentary procedure goes along with mastering this activity. Typically, legislation packets are released in time for students to prepare for what might be debated and how they can give speeches and ask questions on them.