top of page
2026 Fall Speech & Debate
ABOUT
ABOUT
Katy Speech & Debate Academy
Informed thinkers. Confident speakers.
Event Descriptions
Speech Events
Original
Oratory
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech with the intent to inform or persuade the audience on a topic of significance. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, emotional appeals, and sometimes humor to convey a message. Oratory gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic. The speech is delivered from memory.
Informative Speaking
Students author and deliver a ten-minute speech on a topic of significance. The speech is delivered from memory. Visual aids are permitted, but not required. Informative gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their personality while educating the audience. Topics are varied and interesting. Whether it be a new technological advance the audience is unaware of or a new take on a concept that everyone is familiar with, Informative is the students' opportunity to teach the audience.
Extemporaneous Speaking
A student draws three questions on a foreign or domestic current event topic from an envelope, selects one, and has 30 minutes to prepare for a 7 minute memorized speech using factual basis and logic. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues, either domestic or foreign, is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Only published material may be used as resources. At most tournaments, the topics are split into international and domestic categories.
Declamation
Students memorize a previously presented speech. It may be an old oratory, a public address, or any such type of speech that has been presented before. Tournament competition is limited to freshmen and sophomore students.
Poetry/Prose
Interpretation
Prose combines multiple elements of oral interpretation of literature in a 7 minute speech. Prose corresponds to usual patterns of speech — that which you would find most every day in a particular space and time (in contrast to poetic form and language). While many categories have specific interpretation focal points, Prose Interpretation is very wide open, and choices of material may vary from region to region or even tournament to tournament.
Prose
Interpretation
Prose combines multiple elements of oral interpretation of literature in a 7 minute speech. Prose corresponds to usual patterns of speech — that which you would find most every day in a particular space and time (in contrast to poetic form and language). While many categories have specific interpretation focal points, Prose Interpretation is very wide open, and choices of material may vary from region to region or even tournament to tournament.
Impromptu Speaking
Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be light-hearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.
Title | Description |
|---|---|
Original Spoken Word Poetry |
Students will present an original, prepared poem without the use of props or costumes. Students must perform their poem from memory. Although students may "sample" a phrase or line from another poet's work, the poem should primarily consist of the student's own writing. No more than 150 words of the original poetry may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing. A copy of the poem must be available upon request; no freestyling. The time limit for Original Spoken Word Poetry is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Duo Interpretation | Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using off-stage focus, competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. The time limit for Duo Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Dramatic Interpretation | Students will present a memorized, dramatic selection from a published source (play, novel, short story, etc.). Non-published movie scenes are not allowed. No costumes, props, or notes are allowed. Movement within the performance area is unrestricted. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author.
The time limit for Dramatic Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Readers Theatre | Groups of three to six students will present a selection from a novel, play, or other literary work. The selection must be read from black folders or binders. Minimal props and costumes can be used to suggest characters. Stands and stools can be used, but must be provided by the contestants. No recorded music or sound effects will be allowed. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. The time limit for Readers Theatre is 12 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Lip Sync | Individuals or groups (no larger than 6 members) present a lip sync to a song with lyrics. Lip synchronization should match the song vocals. Costumes, hand props, and make-up are allowed. Dangerous choreography is prohibited! All music choices and costumes must be age-appropriate. Songs and choreography that tell a story are recommended. Contestants must provide their own music equipment. The time limit for Vocal Solo is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Vocal Solo | Individual students sing with or without accompanying music. Costumes, hand props, and make-up are allowed. All music choices and costumes should be age-appropriate. Songs and choreography that tell a story are recommended. The time limit for Vocal Solo is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Story Telling | Students will present a memorized selection from a published children's story or folk tale. The selection should be appropriate for young children (ages 3 to 8). In accordance with NSDA rules, students may use one chair. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. The time limit for Storytelling is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
TV Commercial | Students will be given a choice of products, objects, etc., and will have two minutes to prepare a salescommercial for one of them. Good taste will be left to the discretion of the judge. Students will have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to perform with 30 seconds grace. |
Prose - Junior | For Sixth and Seventh Graders Only. Students will present a prose selection from a published source. Students should read/present the selection from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Prose Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Prose - Senior | For Eighth Graders Only. Students will present a prose selection from a published source. Students should read/present the selection from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Prose Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Poetry - Senior | Students will present a poetry program from published sources. Students should read/present the program from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Poetry Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Original Oratory | Students should present an original, prepared speech from memory without using notes. Speech topics should be persuasive in nature. No more than 150 words may be quoted. The oratory must be the original work of the contestant and cannot have been used in competition prior to the current school year. The time limit for Original Oratory is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace. |
Below is a complete list of Middle School speech events. (Best viewed on a computer)
Debate Events
Congressional Debate
Congressional Debate is like a simulation of the real United States legislature. A group of 10-25 students, called a Chamber, will compete in a legislative session. A series of bills and resolutions will be proposed by students from various schools. Following each speech, competitors will be able to pose questions of the speaker. Once debate is exhausted on a particular item, the chamber will vote either to pass or fail the legislation, and debate moves on to the next item.
Public Forum Debate
As a team event, students who compete in Public Forum need to be able to work well with a partner. PF looks at current event topics. Students who do Public Forum must be prepared to debate in front of judges without any formal debate training. Being able to persuade a range of judges is a central component to this event. Additionally, PF is focused upon debating varying resolutions that change frequently, which exposes students to a variety of topics during a singular competitive season.
Lincoln Douglas Debate
Lincoln-Douglas Debate typically appeals to individuals who like to debate, but prefer a one-on-one format as opposed to a team or group setting. Many people refer to LD Debate as a “values” debate, as questions of morality and justice are commonly examined. Students prepare cases and then engage in an exchange of cross-examinations and rebuttals in an attempt to convince a judge that they are the better debater in the round.
bottom of page