N F L
National Forensics League
Introductory Handbook for Prospective Members of
the Collierville High School Speech and Debate Team
written by
Brandon Barrentine - Josh Clark
Brooke Huffman - Amy Janovsky
Allison Moody - Kate Miller
Denise Poindexter - Nick Robbins
Lindsey Sullivan
Team Coach: Mickey Hutson
"The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must all pay for success. I think we can accomplish almost anything if we are willing to pay the price. The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand."
Welcome to the most successful organization at Collierville High School! We can say this because over the past 20 years, the Collierville High School Speech Team has won over 80 invitational tournaments, defeating more than 100 different schools each year. While speech and debate require a great deal of commitment and hard work, it is one of the most rewarding and fun extracurricular activities this school offers. To introduce you to the wide world of forensics (no, a scalpel and a dead body are not part of the curriculum), we prepared the following information for your reading enjoyment.
I. CHOOSING YOUR CATEGORY
To compete in a tournament, you must choose at least one of the following categories:
[NOTE: Most tournaments allow you to compete in either two or three categories, sometimes more.]
SPEAKING CATEGORIES:
A. Extemporaneous Speaking
This is a "prep" category where a great deal of outside work is involved. It is the most respected as well as the most challenging category the speech team offers. During the competition, the speaker chooses from three questions on a social, political, or economic current event topic. They then consult their own file of magazine articles and prepare a 5-7 minute persuasive speech to be delivered after 30 minutes of prep time without the use of their notes. A new topic is drawn for each of the three preliminary rounds.
B. Original Oratory
Students prepare an 8-10 minute persuasive speech that is used throughout the entire year. Students choose the speech topic and are judged on the originality of the topic and their creative and fluent delivery.
C. After Dinner Speaking
This speech is much the same as original oratory but uses satire and humor to make a point. The time limit for ADS is 6-8 minutes.
D. TV News Casting
This is another "prep" category. Students receive a packet of current news articles they cut into a five-minute newscast during a 30-minute prep before speaking. Newscasts must contain international, national, and local news, as well as reports on sports and weather. The student then presents the material in a "newscast" in front of a judge. A new packet of information is provided before each round of competition.
E. Impromptu Speaking
This is what we call a microwave category. (Amy Janovsky came up with that one.) Students have a total of 7 minutes to execute a 3-4 minute speech. Topics range from people in the news and book titles to movies and quotes. Speeches can be funny or serious. A quick mind and good organizational skills are necessary for this category.
INTERPRETATION EVENTS:
A. Humorous Interpretation
Students will select an 8-10 minute cutting from any humorous form of published material (plays, novels, short stories). The selection should contain more than one (preferably three or more) character. Each character will have different postures and vocal expression. Movement is restricted and the selection must be memorized.
B. Dramatic Interpretation
This category is basically the same as humorous interpretation, but the material should be serious in nature and can be a monologue.
C. Duet Interpretation
A student finds a friend or suitable partner (whichever you can stand for an entire year). Next they find an 8-10 minute selection from a published source and perform from the script, which is bound in a "little black book". This is not memorized, but you cannot have physical or visual interaction with your partner.
D. Prose Interpretation
This 8-10 minute selection, from anything except a play, is performed with the infamous "little black book". This literature is narrative in nature and is not memorized. Prose is performed with limited movement and can be funny or serious.
E. Poetry Interpretation
The rules are the same as prose, but the literature is in stanza form. It can be one long poem or a conglomeration of poems unified by theme or author. The time limit is still 8-10 minutes.
ACTING EVENTS:
A. Duet Acting
This 8-10 minute cutting must be from a play. Two students are allowed one hand prop and one stage prop each. Free movement and interaction is allowed, and the selection must be memorized.
B. Solo Acting
This 6-8 minute selection from a play involves only one student as a character. The selection must be a one-character monologue. You are allowed one hand prop and one stage prop. The selection must be memorized.
C. Storytelling
This 6-8 minute selection may be from a published source or written by the student. You are not allowed hand props, but you may sit in a chair. This is the least restrictive category. You may move around and use different voices, and the piece is memorized.
D. Pantomime
This five-minute performance is done without the use of words or sound. The selection can be published or may be written by the student. A spoken introduction is optional.
DEBATE EVENTS:
A. Lincoln-Douglas Debate
LD is a value debate that asks questions of ethics and morality. The question changes every two months and students must debate both sides of the issue at a competition. Constructive speeches are pre-written and the contestant does not know which side they will debate until moments before a round of competition begins. Fluid public speaking skills are needed as well as an ability to counter arguments of the opponent.
B. Policy/Cross-Ex Debate
Two student teams debate one resolution or topic all year where courses of action and legislation are at issue. Much research is needed for Cross-Ex, and just like LD, students must debate both sides of the topic at a competition.
C. Congress
Students prepare bills and speeches to support or oppose bills written by other students. In competitions, students follow rules of parliamentary procedure and vote on acceptance or rejection of these bills. Congress competitions are usually separate from other tournaments.
D. Public Forum Debate
II. THE STEREOTYPICAL TOURNAMENT
A distinguishing feature of the Collierville High School Speech and Debate Team is its class and upstanding behavior. Following are a few tips to assist you in helping our team keep that image:
A. Attire
Each category requires a different sense of style. The speaking categories should include a business-like attire of suits for gentlemen and ladies. Ladies are not required to wear "power suits", but long flowing dresses are usually not a good idea either. If you wear skirts, remember to keep the length at least to the knees. Interpretation categories are not as conservative but usually consist of nice pants, a sports coat, and a tie for the guys and dresses or nice skirts for the girls. No short skirts or jeans. Sloppy dress will not be tolerated. The image you present when you walk into a room of competition goes a long way in determining the image you present during the performance.
B. Materials
Interpretation categories must have a 4x6 black hardback 3-ring binder containing a laminated, typed copy of your script. You might want to bring an extra notebook with another copy of your piece. Everyone needs pen and paper. Please wear a watch for your own convenience so you are not late for a round. Bring enough money to cover snacks, lunch, and sometimes dinner.
C. Overnight Tournaments
On average, the team takes one long distance tournament a month, which requires an overnight stay in a hotel. These tournaments are the most fun, but they require the most responsibility. The typical male needs dark socks, nice shoes, a tie, two dress shirts, a pair of nice pants, and a sports jacket, if possible. Ladies need two pairs of hose, nice shoes, and their appropriate outfit. Bring all hair and make-up products. Don�t forget all your toiletries. Everyone should bring two days of clothing. (Pay attention to the weather.)
The hotels usually have irons, but you are welcome to bring your own. Bring enough money for meals, snacks, and souvenirs. (We frequent local malls.) Be prepared for anything! Don't leave something behind. On one member's first tournament, he almost forgot his underwear and had to have his parents bring it to school before the team left. Imagine what would have happened if he had not realized this before we left! 
We have a flawless reputation with all hotels and restaurants, and we expect that reputation to be maintained. The bus rides can be long, so bring amusement or homework. 
Overnight stays are not all fun and games. Be prepared to practice for about two hours the night before the tournament. No males should be in females� rooms or vice versa. The only time that should occur is during practice time. Trust us, the work pays off the next day when you win a trophy.
D. Cost of the Away Tournaments
It can vary, but most trips cost around $100. That does not include meals and other frills. It covers room, bus ride, and tournament fees. Fundraisers are an option. Parental involvement will determine a great deal of the fundraisers we have. It may seem like a great deal of money, but in the long run it is money and time well spent.
E. What To Do at Tournaments
Many times, for the judges� convenience, you will be asked to write your name, code number, title of selection, and author on the blackboard.
Please know all of this information before you enter the competition room so that you appear prepared and responsible.
If you are participating in more than one category 
you should write the word "doubling" or "tripling" by your name when you sign in to let the judge(s) know that you will be performing in that round. Otherwise, the judge might leave, list you as a "no show", and you will be disqualified. If you are not participating in another category, you must stay in that room until all of the other competitors have finished. In the case that you are participating in a prep category (i.e., TV or extemporaneous), you should compete that category first.
F. Rounds at Competition
At a tournament, you are guaranteed three to four preliminary rounds. The scores or ranks from these rounds will be added together, and if you have one of the six lowest scores (sort of like golf) in your category, you qualify for finals. In finals, you will face three judges at the same time who will each score you, and those scores will determine what place you receive.
There are usually 6-7 people in each preliminary round. The best rank or score is a one (1) and the lowest, or worst is the six (6) or seven (7) depending on the number of people in your section. It is a great thrill to stand in front of the entire assembly of people and get handed your award. We hope you all get to experience that thrill.
III. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
We do not expect you to go out and place at your very first tournament (hey, if you do, better for the team!), but there are other things this team requires. It requires a commitment to schoolwork. These are the academic requirements we expect to be upheld:
A. D's & F's
If you have a 76 or below in any class for two consecutive nine weeks, you are placed on probation until that grade is brought up.
Probation is defined as not being able to travel with the team. If you fail to bring it up the following nine weeks, you will be suspended from the team until you show improvements in your studies. If you cannot perform in the classroom, you cannot perform on the speech team. Missing classes for tournaments is a privilege that has been limited by the Shelby County Board of Education. Students may only miss a total of 10 days of school for any reason before they begin to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
B. Overall Average 
All grades in all classes must average at least an 80, or the above probation period and consequences will apply as well.
This is the CHS Speech and Debate Team in a very large nutshell. We hope we have not scared you away. We always encourage new talent to join the team and are excited when they do. It is the greatest experience we have ever had, and not one of us would trade those Saturdays we spend to do anything else (not even for a little more sleep). We hope you find it just as exciting and meaningful. You will make friends for life and learn skills that are relevant in the real world no matter which path you choose.
"It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you've had the time of your life."
- Greenday