Event Descriptions

  • Debate is a formal presentation of a topic or issue, called a resolution, during which persuasive arguments for and against the issue are presented to persuade judges to agree with one argument verses the other and therefore score that side higher points. Sides can be a single debater on each side or a team of two or more debaters depending on the debate event.

    Debates are centered on a resolution (a controversial statement). Resolutions are about a variety of topics. In every debate the affirmative side speaks in favor of the resolution and the negative side speaks against it. A debate takes about an hour and consists of a series of speeches for and against the resolution. Each side in the debate delivers one eight minute constructive speech, one five minute rebuttal speech, asks questions for three minutes, and answers questions for three minutes. In Policy debate, students debate a resolution for the entire academic year. In other debate events, the resolutions change roughly every two competitions.

    High school debates have set formats to create a fair and challenging contest for both sides.  Which side gets to argue the affirmative vs the negative is randomly determined at the beginning of each round. Debaters prepare arguments for both sides prior to events.

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Debate

  • Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD)

    Lincoln-Douglas is an individual form of debate that focuses on morality, ethics, and philosophy. We study philosophy and ethics extensively and write cases for and against three different topics (also known as resolutions) each year. We work to persuade the judge that our side is what morally ought to be done using research, evidence, and moral reasoning.

  • Policy Debate

    Policy Debate is a partner event which addresses what actions governments should, and should not, do. Policy is different from other forms of debate because teams both formulate and debate the pros and cons of unique actions, or plans, that are advocated to support or negate the resolution. Policy debates the same broad topic all year and develops specific argumentation within that broad topic. Policy debate is evidence driven and involves a lot of in-depth research on specific topic areas.

  • Public Forum Debate

    Public Forum Debate is a partner event in which people debate current events and controversial topics. On any given resolution, a team will debate both the pro and con side and seek to prove how their stance on a particular issue is more valuable. Public Forum is a fun event because you switch topics every month. Public Forum is neither purely evidence or ethics driven; it seeks to combine both in its argumentation. Public Forum is a varsity-only event at BHS, meaning that you will go through either LD or Policy as a novice to be able to compete in Forum; however, both styles of debate complement Forum well.

Speech

  • Extemporaneous Speaking (EXT)

    Extemporaneous speaking revolves around understanding and analyzing current world events. For each round you get a different topic and get 30 minutes to prepare a 5-7 minute speech using news articles. This event is great for anyone interested in politics, journalism, or political activism.

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  • Informative (INF)

    Informative speaking is a 10-minute, memorized, self-written speech. This speech can be on any topic you like. It is also accompanied by self-made poster boards. If you are artistic and/or passionate about a topic, this is the place for you!

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  • Impromptu (IMP)

    Impromptu is a great event for anyone who enjoys thinking on their feet. Each round, you get a cartoon or quotation and then have 3 minutes to prepare a 3-5 minute speech which relates to the cartoon or quotation.

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  • Original Oratory (OO)

    Original Oratory is a 10-minute, informative/persuasive speech written and then memorized by the speaker about a topic that they feel strongly about and believe to be significant. Usually, it addresses a problem that the speaker sees in the world, explains why that problem is relevant, and proposes a solution.

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Interp

  • Dramatic Interp (DI) & Humorous Interp (HI)

    Humorous Interpretation is an individual event in which one performs a script, whether it be from television, theater, or books, that would be considered humorous. Dramatic Interpretation is very similar to Humorous interp, however instead of choosing a script that is humorous, you choose one that would be considered dramatic, and emotionally tolling. Both Humorous and Dramatic interp have a time limit of 10 minutes including a brief introduction of your piece.

  • Duo Oral Interpreation (DUO)

    Duo is similar to Humorous and Dramatic in that it is a 10-minute performance that can be cut from any book, movie, play, etc. The thing that makes duo different is that it is the only interp event that has a partnership. Two people perform a piece and split the roles it provides. Duo is a varsity event and has a few special rules - for instance, the partners cannot make eye contact or touch while performing.

  • Memorized Public Address (MPA)

    Memorized Public Address is an individual event in which one interprets a published speech written by another person. The piece can be about any topic and can evoke any kind of emotion. This 10-minute event includes a brief introduction of your piece.

  • Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

    POI is a program containing a selection of literature surrounding a central topic. Two of three genres of literature (Drama, Prose, Poetry) must be used. A significant amount of time must be assigned to each genre used and a manuscript (binder) must be used at all times. The total time of this event is 10 minutes including an introduction written by speaker.