Debate and forensics.doc

Debate and Forensics in Kansas.
In the state of Kansas the Kansas State High School Athletic Association has divided Debate and Forensics into Fall semester and Spring semester activities. Policy Debate begins in September and ends in January. Forensics begins in February and ends in May. Students have the opportunity to compete in both activities, and qualify for state championship tournaments in both. Competitions are generally held on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Policy Debate requires a team of two speakers while Forensics can be an individual activity. Below is a description of both activities. Policy Debate
This form of debate is conducted in teams of two speakers. The speakers will be required to
research and debate a policy topic. The topic of the 2011-2012 school year is the following:
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its exploration
and or development of space beyond the Earth’s mesosphere. Speakers will be required to
debate both sides of this resolution. When debating the “affirmative” speakers will argue that
yes, the federal government should increase space exploration and or development. When
debating the “negative” speakers will argue that the federal government should not increase
space exploration and or development. In a debate round a team will be assigned the affirmative
or negative side and will construct arguments, cross examine the opposing team and deliver
rebuttals to the oppositions arguments. Debaters are judged on the arguments made, the ability to
defend those arguments, the ability to defeat the opposing team’s arguments and each
individual’s speaking skills. Speakers will use cite evidence to support their arguments and
defeat the opposition’s. Policy debate is an exercise in combining excellent speaking skills,
effective persuasion, critical thinking skills and the use of research to convince a judge to vote
for their side of the argument.
Forensics
Forensics is a combination of speaking, acting and debate events where students can choose to compete in multiple events at the same tournament (think track and field). It gets its name from Greek and is translated “addressing the body”. In Forensics medicine that would usually mean addressing a dead body but in Forensics speaking that would be addressing a body of listeners. Most people prefer the latter when given a choice. Students have the opportunity to compete individually or with another student in the duet acting events. Below is a list of the various Forensics events found at a tournament. Forensics Events
Extemporaneous Speech (Domestic and Foreign ) / (DX, FX) In most tournaments this is
divided into two separate events. The student picks a current event question and has 30 minutes
to prepare a speech answering that question in a 7 minute speech. Usually the speaker is given a
choice of three questions and picks one. A single 4X6 note card may be used for notes. Generally
there is not a podium for the speaker.
PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version Informative Speech / (Inform.) The speaker is to write, memorize and deliver a original speech
that is informative in nature. There is a maximum of 7 minutes. A winning informative speech
will be creative, hold the audience’s attention and be delivered effectively. No props, visual aids
or notes may be used.
Original Oration /(O.O.) The speaker is to write, memorize and deliver a original speech that is
persuasive in nature. There is a maximum of 10 minutes. A winning O.O. speech will be
creative, connect with the audience on an emotional level and be delivered effectively. No props,
visual aids or notes may be used.
Oral Interpretation of Poetry /( Poetry) The student is to read a poetry selection or selections
that follow a unified theme. The selection(s) must not be memorized and must be held in a
manuscript format. Original copies of the book or documents should not be used. There is a
maximum of 7 minutes for the whole presentation. It must be read with feeling. A winning
poetry presentation will be entertaining, performed effectively and make good use of tone and
inflection.
Oral interpretation of Prose /(Prose) The student is to read a prose selection or selections that
follow a unified theme. The selection(s) must not be memorized and must be held in a
manuscript format. Original copies of the book or documents should not be used. There is a
maximum of 7 minutes for the whole presentation.
It may be a whole story or just part of one. It can be all narration or in combination with
dialogue. The purpose of this event is to get across the author's intent. It must be read with
feeling. If there is dialogue, the character's voice must be different than the narrator's. There is no
acting involved. Movement is kept to a minimum.
Solo Acting Humorous and Serious /(H.A.S.) and (S.S.A.)Students are acting alone,
portraying either one or more characters. This event is memorized. The purpose of this event is
for the student to portray character moods, emotions, feelings, and movement. The presenter
must become the character. You are judged on the quality of the facial expression, voice,
movement, and believability of the character. The presenter has no costume or makeup and can
only use one chair for a prop. The presenter may use pantomime to represent objects. If more
than one character is used, they should be distinct and separated. This can be done with vocal
tone, movement, positioning, focus, etc. These two events are separate events. Selections must
come from published written works which can include plays, short stories, novels, and poetry.
The time limit is 10 minutes with an introduction.
Duet Acting Humorous and Serious /(D.A.) Just like solo acting, students are portraying
character. The team can use one table and two chairs. Both humorous and serious selections are
together in the same event. The same basic criteria applies to duet acting as in solo acting with
the addition that the two performers need to be able to work with each other. The selection must
be from a published printed script, short story, novel, or poetry. The time limit is 10 minutes with
introduction.
Improvised Duet Acting / (I.D.A.)Two students draw a topic and have 30 minutes to put
together a duet act. They can use a table and two chairs as props. The acting skills in solo acting
PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version and duet acting apply. Students may not portray more than one character in the scene, including
the introduction. The students will start off with an introduction. The performance may be
humorous or serious. The time limit is 7 minutes with introduction maximum and 4 minutes
minimum.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate / (L-D) Lincoln-Douglas is a form of “value debate” . Speakers
compete one-on-one debate format to show that their value “out weighs” their opponents value.
Resolutions generally take the form in which two values are pitted against each other. An
example is the resolution - "Resolved: A just social order ought to place the principle of equality
above that of liberty." In this resolution, the value of liberty and equality are at odds, and the goal
of the debate should be to determine which value is of greater importance in a just social order.
One speaker will represent the Affirmative case and argue that equality is more important than
liberty and use philosophy to convince the judge to vote for them. The other speaker will
represent the Negative case and argue that liberty outweighs equality and support that with
different philosophical arguments. The judge will listen to both speakers construct cases, cross
examine each other and provide rebuttals. Then will vote for the Affirmative or the Negative. At
a debate tournament students will be required to debate on both the affirmative and negative
sides of the resolution.
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