Ambassadors for Christ Speech & Debate Club Web Site

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.

Goal: To develop a winsome, polished speaker who has learned to constructively use chosen media to enhance the topic.

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.

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.

What is a Limited Preparation Speech?: In Limited Prep 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.

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 '24-'25 Apologetics Questions

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.

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.

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 '24-'25 Overview
Stoa's '24-'25 Mars Hill Topics

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. The Wild Card event for the 2024-2025 competition season is Slam Poetry.

Slam Poetry

Description: Using a poem or a selection of poems, a speaker will convey a single theme through an expressionistic and engaging presentation that portrays the meaning of the poetry and the poems’ artistic language.

Goal: To select and/or write poetry and then bring the meaning to life to an audience through creative expression.