what is an speech event

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The 14 Speech Events: What Are They?

Katie Schultz March 5, 2020 | 1,619 Views

Speech is a relatively little-known activity in CCHS.  Its complicated rules, events, and tournaments are second nature to those on the team, but from the outside it can look a bit strange and cultish. If you’re curious about some of the inner workings of the speech team, learning about the events is a good place to start.

Speech events are divided into three categories: Acting, Limited Preparation (limited prep), and Public Address. There are seven acting events, three limited prep events, and four public address events. Typically, the events are listed in alphabetical order and referred to in acronyms, but grouping them together is simpler.

Acting Events:

1. Dramatic Duet Acting (DDA)

This event involves two competitors acting out a dramatic scene. They usually choose a script with a lot of dialogue and two characters. Often, the scripts are all fairly similar and usually involve something “classically” dramatic: cancer, death, abuse, mental illness, neglect, assault, murder, etc. Sometimes they have more than one and can be almost humorous with the attempted drama stuffed in. Actors in this event need to not mind looking a little bit ridiculous at times if they lack a good script. If done right, DDA can be meaningful, highly entertaining, and thought-provoking. If done poorly, it’s usually still entertaining, but for the wrong reasons.

2. Humorous Duet Acting (HDA)

HDA is the only other event that involves partners. It’s very similar to DDA as far as the rules go, but the purpose is, of course, to be funny. If the HDA is good, it often blends humor with a subtle but timely message. A bad HDA probably relies on cheap humor in the form of mockery. Actors in HDA need to be able to work with their partner to help make both people funny, instead of hogging the spotlight. HDA can be fun, but it can also easily offend the audience or make everyone uncomfortable.

3. Dramatic Interpretation (DI)

The goal of an actor in DI is to make the audience cry (preferably from sadness and not secondhand embarrassment). The person chooses a monologue, book passage, or script in the first-person narrative and acts it out, pretending to be the character as they experience a dramatic situation. Once again, these situations usually have similar themes (see DDA topics) and risk overemphasizing certain exhausted stereotypes, or being boring. A well-done DI is unique and heart-wrenching, tragic and brave; in short: it’s super dramatic.  DI can either be eye-opening or blindingly cringe-y. It’s up to the actor and script to make the difference.

4. Humorous Interpretation (HI)

HI is an event with a premise unique to speech. An actor selects a written work with a lot of dialogue and characters, and brings it to life by playing every single character. They do this by “popping” in between characters, adopting different postures, voices, and actions, to portray many different people. Sometimes an HI isn’t funny, and it’s awkwardly silent. The performer has to be able to keep performing, even if the audience is unimpressed.

5. Original Comedy (OC)

Very similar to HI, OC has the same performance rules, but the person has to write the script. It is often considered to be the most challenging acting event, because they have to be both clever and good at performing it. Most of the time, OC can be almost painful to watch. However, a final round, especially towards the end of the year, can be very entertaining and humorous.

6. Poetry Reading (POE)

Poetry is fairly self-explanatory. The actor reads from a selection or program of one or more poems. They are allowed to be funny or dramatic, but usually do best when they’re a mix of both. Sometimes, poetry pieces have a political or philosophical message, and sometimes they’re just for entertainment. The only true requirement is that the selection be in verse. Poetry performers use a small black binder as a “book” to pretend to read from, but they should have it memorized.

7. Prose Reading (PR)

Prose is sort of similar to DI in that the actor is telling a story (and usually being way too dramatic). It can also be compared to Poetry because it uses a book. The difference, however, is that the script must be in “prose,” meaning it can’t be in verse or written as a play or monologue. Usually, a prose is part of a book or short story. While there’s no requirement for drama, actors often fill their selections with tragedies and catastrophes. It can be kind of depressing to listen to.

Limited Preparation

1. Radio Speaking (RS)

This event requires the speaker to pretend to be a radio host, reading out the news and advertisements and weather. Speakers have 45 minutes to pull together a 5-minute broadcast with local, regional, national, and global current events. Instead of standing up to perform, the person sits with their back to the audience and reads. The broadcast is timed (but not by the reader) and if it is far from 5 minutes, they are penalized or disqualified. This event requires a good sense of timing.

2. Impromptu Speaking (IMP)

In Impromptu, the speaker is given a philosophical quote, and has two minutes to prepare a 6-minute speech about whether or not they agree with it. They give examples of why, and have to think on the spot. Though they can have a note card, speakers need to be quick thinking, smooth speaking, and not put off by blunders. To some, it’s high intensity and stressful. To others, it’s easier.

3. Extemporaneous Speaking (EXTEMP)

Often considered the most intimidating of events, extemp requires a ton of outside work. Speakers are asked a political question, and have 30 minutes to formulate a clear answer with at least six current sources. However, they can’t use the internet. They must file all of these source articles in the days before the tournament, and then pick from that vault to answer the question. If they don’t have info on the chosen question, then it’s tough luck. Extemp can be very difficult, but it is a good way to learn how to make an argument or essay very quickly.

Public Speaking

1. Informative Speaking (INFO)

This event is fairly easy to figure out. The speaker chooses a topic, and writes a speech about it with the purpose of informing the audience. Unlike limited prep events, info speeches are written long before the tournament, and kept all year. Topics usually include new scientific discoveries, exciting technology, or little-known ideas. But sometimes, the best info is one about an incredibly mundane topic, just re-imagined.

2. Original Oratory (OO)

OO is a non-specific persuasive speech. The topic can be just about anything, as long as the speaker’s intent is to convince the audience to adopt their view. Usually, they are about social issues and serious matters, but sometimes speakers choose lighter topics and do well, too. Speeches are written by the speaker, and changed and improved over time. Often a mix of emotional appeal and logic is used to make the point.

3. Special Occasion Speaking (SOS)

Similar to Oratory, SOS is also a persuasive speech. However, it must be addressed to a specific audience that the speaker is trying to persuade. School classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities are often used. Unlike OO’s more emotional appeal, an SOS utilizes humor to make the point. SOS is almost a mix between speaking and a humorous event. If well done, they can be entertaining and fun to watch. If done poorly, they’re rather boring.

Speech can be confusing and mysterious. But after learning the events and their acronyms, it’s easier to understand and enjoy.

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Description of Events

Limited preparation speeches.

Students competing in Limited Preparation Speeches are given a topic and a short amount of time to prepare a speech during a competition round. Not knowing the topic beforehand, competitors quickly analyze a topic, develop a thesis, and prepare supporting materials while they are in a tournament room.

Impromptu Speaking

Impromptu Speaking is a limited preparation event. Competitors are given two possible topics to speak on. The students have two minutes to think and make notes about the topic followed by five minutes to present an informative or persuasive speech. Topics may be single words, phrases, quotes, or questions.

Extemporaneous Speaking

Extemporaneous Speaking is a limited preparation event. Topics are drawn from current events. The topics focus on any topic in domestic, international, business, or entertainment and culture news. Competitors are given two possible topics and twenty minutes to prepare a speech. During the preparation time, competitors may use any physical or digital news clippings they have brought. Extemporaneous Speeches are seven minutes long and are supported with verbal citations.

Belief and Values Limited Preparation

Platform speeches.

Platform Speeches are written, memorized, and presented by the competitors. Because students prepare their Platform Speech scripts throughout the season, they are able to present topics they care deeply about and have researched well. American Speech and Debate believes that young people have voices that matter and perspectives that are needed in the public forum. Platform Speeches give students the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Original Oratory

Original Oratory is a platform speech. It is a ten-minute speech written, memorized, and presented by the competitor. Because students prepare their Original Oratory speech scripts throughout the season, they are able to present topics they care deeply about and have researched well. The topic is entirely of the competitor’s choosing. The speech may seek to inform, inspire, or persuade the judges. It may be serious or humorous in tone.

Digital Presentation

Digital Presentation is a platform speech. It is a ten-minutes speech on any topic and is written, memorized and presented by the competitor. Digital Presentation may include visual support from a device. PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides or other presentation software may be used to create the visual portion of the speech.

INTERPRETATION SPEECHES

Interpretation Speech competitors choose a published piece of literature, cut the work into a presentation, act all the roles, and direct all the action. Interpretation Speeches provide substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. American Speech and Debate values classic literature and works with high literary merit. Interpretation Speeches give competitors the opportunity to present those works in a dynamic, entertaining way.

Duo Interpretation

Duo Interpretation is a literary interpretation event in which two competitors choose a published piece of literature, cut the work into a presentation, act out all the roles, and direct all the action.  Duo Interpretation provides substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. Duo Interpretation gives competitors the opportunity to present classic literature and works with high literary merit in a dynamic, entertaining way. Duo Interpretation Speeches may be dramatic or humorous in tone.

Open Interpretation

Open Interpretation is a literary interpretation event in which the competitor chooses a published piece of literature, cuts the work into a presentation, acts out all the roles, and directs all the action. Open Interpretation provides substantial freedom of imagination to competitors. Without sets, props, or costumes available, competitors use body language, facial expressions, and voice to create rich characters and settings. Open Interpretation gives competitors the opportunity to present classic literature and works with high literary merit in a dynamic, entertaining way. Open Interpretation Speeches may be dramatic or humorous in tone. 

Debate provides an opportunity for competitors to logically argue topics in a respectful manner.

Team Policy Debate

Team Policy Debate is also known as CX Debate. A team of two debaters on each side debates a question of policy change. The affirmative team proposes a change in policy that fits within the assigned resolution, and the negative team presents potential problems with the specific policy change. A single debate round takes approximately 75 minutes. 

2024-2025 Resolution: The United States Federal Government should significantly reform its foreign policy toward one or more of the following countries: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Lincoln- Douglas Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate is also known as Values Debate. A single debater on each side affirms or negates the resolution using logic, philosophy, and real-life examples to support their side of the debate. A single debate round takes approximately 40 minutes.

2024-2025 Resolution: In the United States criminal justice system, jury nullification ought to be used in the face of perceived injustice.

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