Events

The Continental Divide Challenge will offer all forms of Stoa speech and debate events, plus Duo Impromptu.

Debate

Parliamentary Debate - Parliamentary Debate (Parli) is an extemporaneous form of debate with rotating topics that asks competitors to develop and defend positions on a wide range of issues. A Parli debate round consists of two teams, the Government team and the Opposition team, with two competitors on each team. Competitors receive a resolution to debate and are given 20 minutes to prepare for the debate and walk to the competition room.

Lincoln Douglas Values Debate - Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD) asks competitors to examine competing value systems to answer big questions. An LD round is a one-on-one debate between the Affirmative competitor and the Negative competitor.

The 2021-2022 Lincoln Douglas Debate Resolution:
In the field of biomedical engineering, restraint ought to be prioritized over scientific advancement.

Team Policy Debate - Team Policy Debate (TP) asks competitors to develop and defend competing policy options to address contemporary problems. A TP Debate round consists of two teams, an Affirmative team and a Negative team, debating against each other. Each team is comprised of two competitors.

The 2021–2022 Team Policy Debate Resolution:
The United States Federal Government should substantially reform the use of Artificial Intelligence technology.

Speech

Limited Preparation Speeches
Competitors get a limited time to prepare for a speech on a topic that is given to them at the speech event. Preparation before the tournament is described in the event rules.

  • Apologetics - In Apologetics, the competitor is given four minutes to prepare a speech that defends a tenet of the Christian faith. The speaker crafts a speech to reach those curious, not in agreement, or Biblically uninformed with persuasiveness and reasoning. Competitors will be motivated to study, articulate, and defend the core issues of their faith in a knowledgeable, sincere, gentle, and respectful manner.
  • Mars Hill Impromptu - Mars Hill Impromptu is a speech event that trains students to connect culture and Christianity. Students learn how to identify the universal themes contained in various classic and popular artistic genres (books, movies, songs, etc.) and discuss the relationship of those themes to the Biblical truths of Christianity and God’s work in the world. The name of this event is taken from the Apostle Paul’s speech in Athens in Acts 17 where he uses Greek cultural ideas to find common ground to make a connection to Christ. As this name implies, the goal of this event is to use cultural references to draw the listener to the truths of Christianity.
  • Impromptu Speaking - Impromptu speaking is a very practical speech event in which students draw three random topics from which to choose a topic to speak on in this limited preparation event. They may prepare for two minutes and speak without the assistance of notes or props for a maximum of five minutes.
  • Extemporaneous Speaking - In Extemporaneous speaking the competitor answers a given question based on a recent event in the news. The competitor, alone or as part of a club, researches national and international current events and may create reference files of newsworthy information. Competitor develops themselves a well-informed student who can critically evaluate current issues by expressing his position on a given question.

Interpretive Speeches:
In all interpretive events, competitors write, or select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression, without the aid of costumes or props.

  • Humorous Interpretation - In Humorous Interpretation the competitor creates an amusing, original rendition from a single piece of literature which captivates and entertains the audience. Stand-up comedy, or telling a series of jokes without a corresponding plot, is not Humorous Interpretation. Speakers select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression.
  • Dramatic Interpretation - In Dramatic Interpretation the competitor creates a serious, original rendition from a single piece of literature which captivates and moves the audience. Speakers select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression
  • Open Interpretation - In Open Interpretation the competitor creates an original rendition from a selection or selections of prose or poetry (including unpublished work) which captivates and moves the audience. Speakers select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression.
  • Duo Interpretation - In Duo Interpretation two competitors create an original rendition from a single selection of literature which captivates and moves the audience. Speakers select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, facial expression, and movement without interacting face-to-face.

Platform Speeches:
A prepared speech, written by the competitor with the purpose of informing, exposing, or persuading on a topic.

  • Expository Speaking - An Expository speech is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, which explains or “exposes” a topic usually with the help of visual aids. The goal is to develop a winsome, polished, speaker who can present a creative, well-organized speech while efficiently employing audio/visual aids or props.
  • Original Oratory - An Original Oratory is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, on a topic of the speaker’s choice. The goal is to develop a polished, winsome speaker who can present an engaging, well-organized speech on any topic.
  • Persuasive Speaking - A Persuasive speech is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, which advocates a specific position or course of action. The goal is to develop a polished, winsome speaker who can state a clearly-worded position supported by convincing arguments and well-researched support.

Wild Card Event:
New and unique speech events that are offered on a rotation meant to challenge competitors in their preparation and presentation skills.

  • Oratory Analysis - An Oratory Analysis is a prepared presentation of a historical or contemporary speech which includes an analysis of the content and the cultural impact of that speech, demonstrating an understanding of the context, the speaker, and the rhetorical elements that made it great.

CDC-Only Event:

  • Duo Impromptu - A new event unique to this tournament! It is a non-NITOC and just for fun event incorporating teamwork, limited preparation, and interpretative skills. Teams of two will have a limited time to prepare and deliver a performance on a topic or scenario provided to them at the event.