Ambassador Club’s Senior Varsity Speech & Debate Events for ages mature 12 - 18
Ambassador Club is affiliated with Stoa, our National, Christian, home school Speech and Debate league, which is open to students who are 12-18 by October 1, 2023. Ambassador Club incorporates all of Stoa's Senior Varsity Speech & Debate Events in our Club coaching along with Student Congress Debate with its own tournament. Depending on the tournament schedule, Ambassador offers all or most of these Stoa events at our tournaments.
Listed below are all of the Stoa and Ambassador Debate and Speech events with links to the Rules of each event and the Ballots used to judge each event. While this is a lot of information to absorb and learn, it is posted here primarily for students and parents to research, read, and learn the rules of the debate and speech events in which students choose to compete. It is essential to know the rules of the events in which you are competing.
Senior Varsity Debate Events:
I. Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate – LD: Single competitor, value-based debate
Resolved: Criminal justice ought to prioritize rehabilitation over retribution, restitution or deterrence.
Statement of Purpose: The purpose of Lincoln Douglas Value Debate, LD or LDV, is to train Christian home school students in the skills of presentation, critical thinking, research, and analysis of basic values in an environment of honorable competition, to cultivate maturity, wisdom, grace, and poise, bringing glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Students debate one on one.
Stoa's LD Value Debate Rules: Stoa's Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate Rules
Stoa's LDV Debate Ballot: LD Value Debate Ballot
II.Team Policy Debate – TP: Two Teams of two competitors, policy-based debate
Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its policy towards one or more countries in Europe.
Statement of Purpose: The purpose of Team Policy Debate, TP, is to train Christian home school students in the skills of presentation, critical thinking, research and policy analysis in an environment of honorable competition, to cultivate maturity, wisdom, grace, and poise, bringing glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Stoa's TP Debate Rules: Stoa's Team Policy Debate Rules
The Stoa TP Debate Ballot: TP Ballot
III. Parliamentary Debate – PARLI: Two Teams of two competitors each debating a variety of resolutions
The Parliamentary Debate resolutions are announced / released prior to the beginning of each round. We practice Parliamentary during club meetings. Students debate in teams of two.
Statement of Purpose: The Purpose of Parliamentary Debate is to train students to employ advanced debate and speaking skills informed by an accumulation of general and specific knowledge on a broad range of topics. The goal is to prepare students to deal with real world advocacy and argumentation in a manner that exhibits maturity, wisdom, grace and poise, bringing glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Stoa's Parli Debate Eligibility Rule: Each debater must have reached age sixteen (16) by October 1st of the competition year, or have competed for two or more years in another debate format, or receive consent from her or his coach. A parliamentary debate team consists of two competitors. A team may not switch partners within a single tournament.
Stoa's Parli Debate Rules: Parli Debate Rules
Stoa's Parli Ballot: Parli Ballot
Additional Stoa & Ambassador Debate Information: Stoa Debate Information
IV. Student Congress – Individual debates in a group as a mock legislature
In Student Congress, students research and write their own pieces of legislation, bills and resolutions, which they feel will better the society in which we live, just like our state and US Senators and Representatives. At a tournament, debaters will then speak on the legislation while using proper parliamentary procedure, which is used by most governmental bodies. Judges score each competitor based on argumentation ability (organization, content, logic, and documented support), speaking technique (oral and physical presentation and style), knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and overall participation. In each session of Congress, a student will act as the Presiding Officer. Robert's Rules of Order is the definitive book on parliamentary procedure.
Student Congress Information: Student Congress Overview
Below are the 2 types of ballots used during Student Congress competition.
Student Ballot Congress Ballot: Student Congress Ballot
Presiding Officer Ballot: Student Congress Presiding Officer Ballot
Senior Varsity Speech Events:
I. Senior Varsity Interpretive Speeches
What is an Interpretive Speech? In all interpretive events, competitors write, or select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression, without the aid of costumes or props. Most Interpretive Speeches (usually called "Pieces") are found and memorized with an optional introduction written by the student. Open Interpretive speeches may be self-written.
The four types of Interps are: Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Open Interpretation. The time limit for Open, Dramatic and Humorous Interpretive Speeches is 10 minutes, while the time limit for Open Interpretive Speeches is 6 minutes.
1. Dramatic Interpretation
Description: In Dramatic Interpretation the competitor creates a serious, original rendition from a single piece of literature which captivates and moves the audience.
Goal: To select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression.
Stoa's Rules for Dramatic Interpretation: Dramatic Interp Rules
Dramatic Interpretation Ballot: Dramatic Interpretation Ballot
2. Duo Interpretation
Description: In Duo Interpretation two competitors create an original rendition from a single selection of literature, or multiple selections of literature, which captivates and moves the audience.
Goal: To select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, facial expression, and movement without interacting face-to-face.
Stoa's Rules for Duo Interpretation: Duo Interp Rules
Stoa Duo Interp Ballot: Duo Interpretation Ballot
3. Humorous Interpretation
Description: In Humorous Interpretation the competitor creates an amusing, original rendition from a single piece of literature which captivates and entertains the audience. Stand-up comedy, or telling a series of jokes without a corresponding plot, is not Humorous Interpretation.
Goal: To select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression. The story should be conveyed humorously using plot, character development and comedic timing.
Stoa's Rules for Humorous Interpretation: Humorous Interp Rules
Stoa HI Ballot: Humorous Interpretation Ballot
4. Open Interpretation
Description: In Open Interpretation the competitor creates an original rendition from a selection or selections of prose or poetry (including unpublished work) which captivates and moves the audience.
Goal: To select and analyze written work(s), then bring to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression.
Stoa's Open Interpretation Rules: Open Interp Rules
Stoa OI Ballot: Open Interpretation Ballot
II. Senior Varsity Platform (original & memorized) Speeches
What is a platform Speech? A prepared speech, written by the competitor and memorized, with the purpose of informing, exposing, or persuading on a topic.
There are 3 types of Platform Speeches: Expository, Original Oratory, and Persuasive. All platform speeches have a 10-minute time limit.
Stoa Platform Speech Citation Rules: All direct quotations and primary sources must be cited verbally within the body of the speech. Use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting them is plagiarism and is strictly forbidden.
Stoa Platform Speech Citation Tips: Platform Speech Citation Tips
1. Expository
Description: An Expository speech is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, which explains, “exposes” and illustrates a topic through both words and visuals (e.g. illustrated boards, physical props, digital and electronic presentations, or any combination).
Goal: To develop a winsome, polished speaker who has learned to constructively use chosen media to enhance the topic.
Stoa Expos Rules: Expository Rules
Stoa Expos Ballot: Expository Ballot
2. Original Oratory
Description: An Original Oratory, OO, is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, on a topic of the competitor’s choice.
Goal: To develop a winsome, polished speaker who can present an engaging, well organized speech. The purpose of this informative speech is to explain, describe, or expose the topic.
Stoa OO Rules: Original Oratory Rules
Stoa OO Ballot: Original Oratory Ballot
3. Persuasive
Description: A Persuasive speech is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, which advocates a specific position or course of action.
Goal: To develop a winsome, polished speaker who can state a clearly worded position supported by convincing arguments and well-researched support.
Stoa's Persuasive Rules: Persuasive Rules
Stoa Persuasive Ballot: Persuasive Ballot
III. Senior Varsity Limited Preparation Speech Events
Limited Preparation Speeches: Competitors get a limited time to prepare for a speech on a topic that is given to them at the speech event. The preparation for Limited Prep speeches happens at home and at the local club BEFORE the tournament as the Apologetics Questions and Mars Hill Topics are released prior to the competition season. The Limited Prep Speeches are Apologetics, Extemporaneous, and Mars Hill Impromptu.
The best way to succeed in Limited Prep is to PRACTICE!
1. Apologetics
Description: In Apologetics speaking the competitor is given four (4) minutes to prepare a persuasive and reasoned speech that defends a tenet of the Christian faith and explains why that principle matters. The time limit on the speech is 6 minutes.
Goal: Christian Apologetics is that area of study aimed at the reasonable defense of the truthfulness of Christianity. Competitors will be motivated to study, articulate, and defend the core issues of their faith in a knowledgeable, sincere, gentle and respectful manner. The focus may or may not be evangelistic.
The topics for the Apologetics speeches are drawn from a list that is posted on the Stoa website and linked below. Students prepare by creating outlines of speeches for each question. They may speak from index cards that have been previously prepared.
Stoa's 2023-2024 Apologetics Questions: Apologetics Questions
Stoa's Apologetics Rules: Apologetics Rules
Stoa's Apologetics Ballot: Apologetics Ballot
2. Extemporaneous
Description: In Extemporaneous speaking the competitor answers a given question based on a recent event in the news. The competitor researches national and international current events and may create reference files of newsworthy information. Extemporaneous speech should be regarded as a demonstration of personal knowledge on the topic, as well as an original synthesis of numerous sources. The student has 30 minutes to prepare a speech with a 7 minute limit. They may speak from one 3" x 5" index card and the topic paper.
Goal: To develop a well-informed student who can critically evaluate current issues by expressing his/her position on a given question. The speech should be delivered with credible, pertinent, and sufficient evidence to support his/her position on the topic.
Stoa's Extemp Rules: Extemporaneous Rules
Stoa's Extemp Ballot: Extemporaneous Ballot
3. Impromptu
Description: The competitor is given two (2) minutes to prepare a speech on a randomly drawn prompt.
Goal: To develop a winsome, polished speaker who can present an original, spontaneously prepared speech.
The maximum speaking time is five (5) minutes. There is no minimum time requirement. Competitors will receive a one (1) rank penalty for going over time by fifteen (15) seconds or more.
Impromptu Rules: Impromptu Rules
Impromptu Ballot: Impromptu Ballot
4. Mars Hill Impromptu
Description: The competitor uses books, movies, and other genre to discuss the appeal and impact of the theme(s) within the topic, holding them up in the light of Christian truth found in the Bible.
Goal: The competitor learns to identify truths common to the human condition within popular culture, using those truths to find common ground. The competitor will discuss Christian truths on a conversational, personal level desiring to encourage ongoing conversation of spiritual truth.
Recommendation: This event is recommended for competitors 14 and older or with parental consent due to some mature themes.
Mars Hill Overview: Mars Hill Overview
Mars Hill 2023-2024 Topics: Mars Hill Topics
Mars Hill Impromptu Rules: Mars Hill Rules
Mars Hill Impromptu Ballot: Mars Hill Ballot
IV. Stoa Wild Card Event
Stoa's Wild Card Speeches are new and unique events offered on a two-year rotation which are meant to challenge competitors in their preparation and presentation skills. Wild Card events are offered in two year rotations, for 2023-2024 competition season the Wild Card Event is Interp in a Box.
Interp in a Box
Description: The competitor creates an original rendition of a relatable story from a single published work of literature with a focus on plot and character development which captivates and moves the audience, using props to emphasize the interpretation. The presentation may range from dramatic to humorous genres. All props must fit within a lidded container no larger than 19"x15"x11". The presentation must be memorized.
Goal: To select and analyze literature and then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, facial expression, and physical props.
Value: This event has all the benefits of an interpretation while adding the creativity of visual enhancements.
Stoa Interp in a Box Rules: Interp in a Box Rules
Stoa Interp in a Box Ballot: Interp in a Box Ballot
For more information on Stoa's SV Speeches: Stoa Speech Event Documents and Details