What is Speech & Debate?
The GOHS Speech & Debate team competes in several different events in organizations such as Texas Forensic Association (TFA), National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), and National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) which includes our very own GOHS Bluebonnet Tournament.
Speech Events
Dramatic Interpretation (DI)
This is a 10-minute event performed from memory with the goal of enlivening the chosen literature. The student’s performance is generally dramatic and often moving, guiding the listener through the actions, thoughts, and emotions of the character(s).
Duet Acting (Duet)
This is a 10-minute partner event performed from memory. In this event, partners must perform the chosen literature, are allowed to interact with one another, and may use two chairs as props.
Duo Interpretation (DUO)
This is a 10-minute partner event performed from memory. Partners must perform the chosen literature, focusing on visual and character-driven storytelling, during which time they cannot look at or touch their partner.
Extemporaneous Speaking (IX or USX)
This is a limited preparation event where three topics are drawn, one is selected, and the student has 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech. This event necessitates awareness and familiarity with current events (international or domestic), strong research skills and the ability to speak in public with minimal practice.
IX = International Extemp; USX = United States (Domestic) Extemp
Humorous Interpretation (HI)
This is a 10-minute event performed from memory and humorous in nature. The student’s performance of the chosen literature will demonstrate depth of character(s) and comedic timing.
Impromptu (IMP)
This is a 7-minute event performed from memory. In those seven minutes, students must select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. Topics can be based upon a wide variety of prompts (a fortune cookie fortune, nursery rhymes, celebrities, current events, movies, etc.). The student must be able to analyze the prompt, organize their thoughts to include an introduction, body, and conclusion, and deliver the speech from memory.
Informative Speaking (INF or Info)
This is a 10-minute event performed from memory on an informative topic of their choosing and should be well-cited. Visual aids are allowed and encouraged for this event. The topic chosen should be universally important and encourage strength in research, presentation skills, and teaching tools.
Original Oratory (OO)
This is a 10-minute event performed from a memory. The speech will be an original, persuasive work written by the student on a topic of their choosing. It should inspire advocacy by identifying a problem, presenting possible solutions, and including well-cited research throughout.
Poetry (POE) and Prose (PRO)
These are 7-minute events performed by reading from a small black binder.
Note: These are non-qualifying events that are rotated each year as consolation events at the state tournament.
Program of Oral Interpretation (POI)
This is a 10-minute event performed using a small black binder that contains the student’s collective piece of literature, which is a combination of different pieces of literature often creating a unique perspective. The binder may be used as a prop to create a visual representation during their performance.
Debate Events
Congressional Debate (CON)
This event imitates a congressional debate over legislation whereas students pretend to be a representative. Representatives will speak either for a piece of legislation (affirmative) or against it (negative). Legislation changes each semester and reflects current issues and events.
Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD)
This event is a one-on-one debate. Every two months, the topic will change and will often be a policy action. The student will be appointed to either defend the resolution (affirmative) or criticize the resolution (negative).
Policy Debate (CX)
This is a partnered team event. A policy topic is released for the entire year, and students will prepare both an affirmative and negative argument to the resolution. The affirmative argument supports the resolution and a negative argument disagrees and suggests that the resolution will create more problems than it solves.
Public Forum Debate (PF)
This event involves opposing teams of two, similar to Policy Debate. The difference is that the PF topic changes every two months. Again, students will prepare an affirmative argument (PRO) or a negative argument (CON). Students will debate the topic based on the side of the debate won, generally determined with a coin flip.
World Schools Debate (WS)
This is a team debate event; teams consist of 3-5 students, however only 3 students will speak in a round. There are 10 motions each semester and students will research and prepare with their team. In addition to prepared motions, some rounds will include impromptu motions where teams have limited time to research and prepare their case.