Thank you for coming!
Rev 08/2015
“… trains Christian, homeschooled youth
in speech and debate,
in order to better communicate
a biblical worldview.”
12 – 18 years of age
 From multiple states
 Compete in multiple events
including debate
 Improve communication skills
 Develop friendships
 Desire to impact their culture
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Everyone is experienced!
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No discussion with speakers
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May be multiple judges in the room
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Set aside personal bias and expertise
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No consultation with one another
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Be responsive!
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Turn off cell phones
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Sit front and center
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Audience members may come and go
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Students may speak out of listed order
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Judges stay until every student has spoken
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Write on ballots after each speech
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Event time is noted on the ballot

No minimum time limits
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Judge discretion on evaluating the time
Ballots…
Two
Types:
Check for
conflicts
Tabulation Ballot:
Rank
Student Ballots:
Report and
Educate
Tabulation Ballot…
Please read rules
on reverse side

This tabulation
ballot is not seen
by students

Student Ballot…
Copy speaker, room,
and round from
tab ballot
 Judge = you!
 Duration =
length of speech
 Jot down topic

Student Ballot…
Using Ballot Criteria:
Rate the student’s
performance
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+–
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+–
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+
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Mark with a +, –, or✓
+–
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+
+
+–
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+
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Student Ballot…
In Comments section:

Report what you saw
Educate student on
what worked and what
didn’t

NOTE: Time is Limited
+
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+–
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+–
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+
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+–
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+
+
+–
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+
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Student
Ballot…
RANKING
Order speakers as
you go along

Stacking ballots is
a simple method

Cicero
Brutus
Marc Antony
Student
Ballot…
PENALTIES?

Note any violations
Add penalty
points, if applicable

See Ballot Return
to complete

Student
Ballot…
NO PENALTIES?
Circle the final rank
on the student
ballot
For ranks of 5th, 6th,
7th or lower – circle
“ Fifth & below”
Tabulation
Ballot…
Marc Antony
Friendship
Brutus
Use
Loyalty
criteria on
rules
and ballots Latin oration
Cicero
 Order speakers from
Cleopatra
Life on the Nile
st
1 to last
5
7
3
2
Demosthenes
Greek fast food
8
Patrick Henry
Give me Liberty
1
Margaret Thatcher
Parliament
4
Winston Churchill
Never give up!
6
Tabulation
Ballot…

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
Use criteria on rules
and ballots
Order speakers from
1st to last
Penalty? –
Go to Ballot Return
THERE CAN BE NO TIES
Marc Antony
Friendship
Brutus
Loyalty
Cicero
Latin oration
Cleopatra
Life on the Nile
Demosthenes
Greek fast food
Patrick Henry
Give me Liberty
Margaret Thatcher
Parliament
Winston Churchill
Never give up!
5
7
3
2
8
5
7
3
2
8
1
4
6
1
4
6
Educate
Reason for ranking Compared to others
in round
Comments
Something done
well

Something needing
improvement

Go immediately to the Ballot Return room

Do not confer with others

Questions? Ask the Orientation staff by
Ballot Return
 Turn
in to ballot checkers
 Wait
for ballots to be reviewed
PLATFORM
Original
Oratory
LIMITED
PREP
Persuasive
Expository
Impromptu*
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
WILDCARD
Motivational Speaking
Monologue
Dramatic
INTERPRETIVE
Humorous
Open
Duo
PLATFORM
A prepared speech, written by the competitor
with the purpose of informing, exposing,
entertaining, inspiring, or persuading on a topic.
•Memorized
PLATFORM
Original
Oratory
Wide open
Persuasive
Elements
of
persuasion
Expository
Visuals
and props
allowed
WILDCARD
Motivational
Speaking
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
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Intended to motivate or inspire the
audience
Original work of the student
Use of one prop is allowed
INTERPRETIVE
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 use of costumes or
props.
•Author and Title identified
•Memorized
INTERPRETIVE
Dramatic
Serious
Humorous
Open
Duo
Light-hearted
Dramatic or Serious
Multiple pieces
allowed
2 speakers =
1 speech
May be written
by student
No direct
contact
WILDCARD
Monologue


Thoughts or voice from a single persona
Dramatic or Humorous
LIMITED PREP
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.
 Spontaneously prepared
 Varied time limits
 Copy of topics/questions provided
 Chosen topic stated by student
 Timekeeper provided
LIMITED PREP
Impromptu*
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics

2 minutes to prepare a 5-minute speech

No notes allowed
LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Impromptu*
Mars Hill
Apologetics

Current event question answered

30 minutes of prep time
(in a separate room)

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7-minute speech
One 3 x 5 card allowed
LIMITED PREP
Impromptu*
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics

4 minutes to prepare 6 minute speech

May use a notebook of research to
prepare
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May use one note card during speech
LIMITED PREP
Impromptu*
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics

Use cultural reference(s) to draw those
unfamiliar to the truths of Christianity

Discuss the impact of the worldview in
the theme

Explain why the subject matters
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Personal connection to topic/ audience
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Demonstrate winsomeness and compassion

Promotes thought-provoking conversation
LIMITEDPREP
Impromptu*
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics

4 minutes to prepare a 6-minute speech

100 questions in 6 categories

May use researched card file and a Bible to
prepare

Multiple note cards allowed in presentation
Apologia: to give an explanation or defense.
Christian apologetics is a rational, thoughtful
defense of the theological tenets of Christianity.
In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as
holy, always being prepared to make a
defense to anyone who asks you for a
reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it
with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

Apologetics is a thoughtful, intellectual,
analysis of a question of faith or doctrine

Apologetics helps speakers understand the
rational basis for their faith and to defend and
communicate theological truth to others.

Apologetics may or may not be an evangelistic
opportunity

Judges should be in agreement with the
Stoa Statement of Faith.
(copy available at end of slides)

The speaker should craft the speech to
the one asking the question whether
curious, not in agreement, or Biblically
uninformed.
Apologetics is a unique event.
For the word of God is
Content is the essence. alive and active. Sharper
The student should:
 Use Scripture
 Use outside sources
than any double-edged
sword,
it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
(NIV, ©2011)
Remember:
 The rules and criteria are on the back of
your tabulation ballot
 Double check the names on the front of
the ballot
 Listen to every speaker before leaving the
room
 Return to the judge’s room to finish
ranking and comments
 The Judge Orientation staff will be there to
answer any questions you might have
Thank you!!
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There is one God eternally existing in three persons:
the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
Man is sinful and therefore separated from God, who is
holy and perfect.
Jesus Christ paid the eternal penalties for our sin
through His death on the cross.
Jesus Christ also resurrected bodily and ascended into
heaven and will return one day to fulfill His kingdom.
Only through Jesus Christ and the grace of His
provision of salvation, may we be saved from eternal
punishment, enter into God’s family and receive
eternal life.
The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible and
authoritative Word of God and the truth for Christian
faith and practice.