Speech Team

In Demonstration, students give a "how-to" speech on a certain topic of their choice. A Demonstration speech may involve posters, props, and partners.

In Drama, students prepare a dramatic cutting from a play, short story, or novel. Entries in Drama are memorized.

In Duo, a pair of students present a dramatic or humorous selection. Students entered in Duo are required to read from a script.

In Extemp, students draw topics related to current events, prepare speeches through Internet research, and deliver them all during a limited time period during the meet. Extemp is open to eighth graders only.

In Humor, students prepare a humorous cutting from a play, short story, or novel. Entries in Humor are memorized.

In Oratorical Interpretation, students deliver selections that have been presented by a speaker in another time and place. "The Gettysburg Address" is a common example. Entries in Oratorical Interpretation are memorized.

In Original Oratory, students deliver speeches that they have written themselves. In addition to delivery, then, content and organization are judged. Original Oratory is open to seventh and eighth graders only.

In Poetry, students prepare a selection of poems from a certain author or with a certain focus or topic. The student's own introductions and transitions are memorized, but poems are read from a folder.

In Radio, the speaker plays the part of a newsperson, delivering a newscast, commercial, and live remote while unseen by judges. Radio is open to eighth graders only.