Speech & Debate
Speech & Debate
Our Speech and Debate program is a year-round program where students compete locally, regionally, state-wide, and nationally in a variety of events on multiple topics. Our participants happily give up most of their weekends in the pursuit of bettering themselves and their crafts through practice and competition.
We strongly believe that the engagement and activity of speech and debate provides the foundation students need to become well-informed and involved adults. Students who participate learn the importance of researching and advocating major social, political, economic, and international issues within their society and those around the world. Not only do they learn how to become impactful citizens, more immediately they learn skills they need to be successful in school.
Students learn how to research topics, recognize and weed out false and skewed information, and present arguments and ideas in an organized and communicative manner. Our participants learn how to work under pressure and manage their time wisely. It is no wonder that so many of the top 10% academic students come through our program and leave with fantastic scholarship opportunities!
If you are interested in joining Panther Speech and Debate, we would love to hear from you.
UIL Coordinator, Interp Coach:
Heather Stringer
hstringer@princetonisd.net
Lincoln Douglas Debate Coach, Congress Coach:
Matthew Riggins
mriggins@princetonisd.net
Policy Debate Coach:
Taylor Dougherty
taylordougherty80@gmail.com
Speech & Debate Events
Interpretive Events
- Poetry and Prose Interpretation
- Humorous Interpretation
- Dramatic Interpreation
- Duo Interpretation
- Program Oral Interpretation
Poetry and Prose Interpretation
UIL Circuit, NSDA Consolation Event
Students perform a selection of literature from either poetry or prose.
Category A: Recognizing Joy: Focusing on the Little Things
The goal of this category is to recognize joy in even the simplest of things.
The goal of this category is to recognize joy in even the simplest of things.
In this category, the contestant may read a single literary work of prose, an excerpt of a work of prose or may create a program containing no more than four literary works of prose. If a program is used, one prose selection from an unpublished source is allowed in the program. The majority of the performance must be published prose. The intent of this category is not to encourage an entirely originally-authored program.
The performance may be fiction or non-fiction. Examples may include, but are not limited to oral histories, testimonies, interviews, and letters. For Category A, co-authored and anonymous works of prose are permissible. The author(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category B of prose.
When using copyrighted material, each member school is responsible for obtaining permission from the publisher for their participant to use the material. UIL assumes no responsibilities for copyright permission to perform material.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and authors read and should connect the literature to the goal of the category. If the program is woven, it shall be stated in the introduction, and the different literary works should be distinguishable through interpretation.
Category B: Inspiring Change: Striving for a Better Tomorrow
The goal of this category is to celebrate positive change over time. Students will explore developments that enhance our world.
In this category, the contestant shall read a minimum of two selections. The contestant shall create a program containing no fewer than two prose selections and no more than four selections. Students should consider using prose that spans different time periods.
Students may use prose selections from one or more authors. Prose Category B includes fiction, nonfiction, news sources, speeches, essays, letters and diaries. Co-authored and anonymous works of prose are permissible. The author(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category A of prose.
When using copyrighted material, each member school is responsible for obtaining permission from the publisher for their participant to use the material. UIL assumes no responsibilities for copyright permission to perform material.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and authors read and should connect the prose to the goal of the category. If the program is woven, the contestant shall state it in the introduction, and the different prose works should be distinguishable through interpretation.
Prose Categories:
A: This Is Me
The goal of this category is to examine the performer’s ancestry, origin, heritage, and/or dreams and aspirations. The performer should explore their own personal background and/or what their future may hold.
In this category, the contestant may read a single literary work of prose, an excerpt of a work of prose or may create a program containing no more than four literary works. If a program is used, one selection from an unpublished source is allowed to be included in the program. The majority of the performance must be published prose. The intent of this category is not to encourage an entirely originally-authored program.
The performance may be fiction or non-fiction. Examples may include, but are not limited to oral histories, testimonies, interviews, and letters. For this category, co-authored and anonymous works are permissible. The author(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category B of prose.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and authors read and should connect the literature to the goal of the category. If the program is woven, it shall be stated in the introduction, and the different literary works should be distinguishable through interpretation.
B: This Speaks to Me
The goal of this category is to select literature that speaks to the performer. This category is reader’s choice.
In this category, the contestant may read a single literary work of prose, an excerpt of a work of prose or may create a program containing no more than four literary works. For this category, prose includes fiction, nonfiction, news sources, speeches, essays, letters and diaries. Co-authored works are permissible. Anonymous works are prohibited. The author(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category A of prose.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and authors read and should relate to the audience why the literature was chosen. If the program is woven, the contestant shall state it in the introduction, and the different works should be distinguishable through interpretation.
Humorous Interpretation
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author.
Dramatic Interpreation
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, this event focuses on the student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance, and state the title and the author.
Duo Interpretation
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using off-stage focus, competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author.
Program Oral Interpretation
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Using selections from Prose, Poetry and Drama students create a ten minute performance around a central theme. Program Oral Interpretation is designed to test a student’s ability to intersplice multiple types of literature into a single, cohesive performance. A manuscript is required and may be used as a prop within the performance if the performer maintains control of the manuscript at all times. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author of each selection.
Non-Interpretive Events
Extemporaneous Speaking
Original Oratory
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and can be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory.
Informative Speaking
NSDA and TFA Circuits
Students author and deliver a ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Competitors create the speech to educate the audience on a particular topic. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. Visual aids are permitted, but not required. The speech is delivered from memory.
Debate Events
Policy (CX) Debate
Lincoln Douglas (LD) Debate
Congressional Debate
Links & Resources
This is excellent information for students interested in debate to learn about the basics of Lincoln Douglas Debate.
Interested students may wish to look through this guide to gain preliminary knowledge on Policy Debate
National Speech and Debate Association
Speech and Debate students will use this site to access information related to NSDA, including information about events, Nationals, and achievement points. In order to access points, students will need to create an account.
This website provides an extensive textbook to understand Policy Debate.
Debate students may use SpeechDrop during rounds as an easy method to share documents with their opponents and judges.
We will use this website to register for and get pairings for UIL District, Region, and State. Students will need an account for this site.
This website will be used to register for tournaments and see pairings and ballots. Speech and Debate students will need to create an account for this cite.
Debaters may utilize this textbook to learn about how Lincoln Douglas works.
This webpage provides information on UIL competitions and has links to resources useful for UIL.
Debate students may wish to download the Verbatim extension to help them create their documents with ease.
