Speech and Debate, 2008-2009

Public speaking and debate take place in the courts, in the halls of Congress, and in the boardrooms of American business. They are the tools of persuasion and information. Cal’s Speech and Debate class exists to help students develop these skills. Through in class exercises including persuasive speeches, mock parliamentary debates, and by studying great speeches of the past and delivering them from memory, students will gain the ability to use rhetoric effectively. They will also have a chance to demonstrate these skills in SCUSD and MSPDP contests, including the National Finals. Last year. Cal’s Speech and Debate the district debate final for the third year in a row, as well as taking the MSPDP East Bay title and finshing second at the MSPDP National Final.

Description of Events

Parliamentary Team Debate Parliamentary Debate is based on the style and forms of debate observed in the British Parliament. This style pits two teams against each other in an extemporaneous, reasoned, audience-oriented debate.

Persuasive Speaking : This speech must be an original persuasive speech written by the student performing it. The speech should present an issue about which people disagree. The most effective topics are those that have an impact on the student’s life as well as the lives of others. The speech should be memorized and not exceed five (5) minutes. Notes are allowed, but their use may be used in the judge’s decision.

Impromptu Speaking is a speech without planning or preparation. Speakers typically will draw 3 topics and choose one to speak about. They are then given 3 minutes to prepare a 3-5 minute speech. Which they preform immediately after their 3 minutes of preparation. Notes are allowed, but their use may be used in the judge’s decision. Dramatic Interpretation (Solo event) Material must be memorized and presented in character. All material must come from a printed, published source. No props, lights, staging, costumes, makeup, sound effects, etc. will be permitted. Max. 5 minutes. Notes are allowed, but their use may be used in the judge’s decision.

Oral Interpretation (Solo Event) Oral interpretation involves the presentation of publicly delivered speeches so as to inform the audience to the meaning of the work delivered. Max. 5 minutes. Notes are allowed, but their use may be used in the judge’s decision.

Spoken Word and the judging of it has largely become the province of Poetry Slams. Most of the Spoken Word artists we see on the Def Poetry Jam come out of the National Poetry Slam scene.