Thank you for coming!
Rev 01-2013
“… 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


Everyone is experienced!

No discussion with speakers

May be multiple judges in the room

Be responsive!

No consultation with one another

Set aside personal bias and expertise

Turn off cell phones

Sit near front and center

Audience members may come and go

Students may speak out of listed order

Judges stay until every student has spoken

Write on ballots after each speech.

Speeches are timed

No minimum time limits

No required penalties for overtime
PLATFORM
LIMITED PREP
Original
Oratory
Persuasive
Expository
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Impromptu*
WILDCARD
Storytelling
Broadcasting
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.
PLATFORM
Original
Oratory
Wide open
Persuasive
Expository
Elements
of
persuasion
Visuals
and props
allowed
•Memorized
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
Humorous
Open
Duo
Multiple pieces allowed
Serious
One prop allowed
Light-hearted
Dramatic or humorous
May be written by student
2 speakers =
1 speech
No direct
contact
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
•Topic stated by student
•Copy of topics/questions provided
LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Impromptu*
Current event question answered
 30 minutes of prep time
(in a separate room)
 7-minute speech
 3 x5 card allowed
 Timekeeper provided

LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Impromptu*
• Connects and bridges culture with
Christian truth
• May use a notebook to prepare
• May use a single note card during speech
• 4 minutes to prepare a 6 minute speech
• A judge issues topics
• Timekeeper provided
LIMITEDPREP
Extemp
Mars Hill






Apologetics
Impromptu*
Defends Christian faith
4 minutes to prepare a 6-minute speech
A judge issues topics
Multiple note cards allowed
Timekeeper provided
Judges required to attend additional five minute
orientation
LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Impromptu*
2 minutes to prepare a 5-minute speech
 A judge issues topics


No notes allowed

Timekeeper provided
WILDCARDS
WILDCARD
• Limited time events
• Two choices –
• Storytelling
• Broadcasting
WILDCARD
Storytelling
•
•
•
•
•
•
Theme selected by tournament
Story told in student’s own words
Emphasis on narration
Chair may be used
8 minute time limit
Timekeeper provided
WILDCARD
Broadcasting
• Competitor presents newscast and
commercial
• Script and/or laptop may be used
• Speaker seated at table
• 15 minute prep time (in a separate room)
• 5 minute speech
THE BALLOTS…
Two
Types:
ORIGINAL ORATORY
Speaker:
Room:
STUDENT BALLOT
Judge:
Round:
Duration:
Speech Topic:
_________________________________
Comments
+ Excellent
Good – Needs work
CONTENT
Compelling subject matter
Clear thesis statement
Thorough analysis of subject
Adequate research and creative illustrations
ORGANIZATION
Captivating introduction
Cohesive body of thought
Fluid transitions
Clear conclusion
RHETORIC
Expressive vocabulary
Creative oration
Conveys credibility (ethos)
Demonstrates conviction and/or passion (pathos)
Uses logical appeal and reason (logos)
DELIVERY
Energy
Vocal clarity
Eye contact
Authentic style
Natural movement
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Audience connection/Emotional rapport
Professional appearance
Total effectiveness
PENALTIES:
Use of script (2 ranks) ______
=
Total penalty in rank(s) ______
FINAL RANK WITHIN ROUND including penalties: (Circle one)
#1 First
#2 Second
#3 Third
#4 Fourth
#5 Fifth & below
REASON FOR RANKING: (Use back of sheet for additional comments)
© 2013 Stoa
Rev 7/13
Student Ballots:
Evaluate and
Educate
Tabulation Ballot:
Rank.
TABuLATiOn BALLOT…
•Please read rules on
reverse side
•This tabulation ballot is
not seen by students
THE STuDEnT BALLOT…
Two Goals:
• Evaluate
Rate and rank students
• Educate
Tell what works and
what doesn’t
GENERAL INFORMATION
•Copy speaker, room, and
round from tab ballot
•Judge = you!
•Duration = length of
speech
•Jot down topic
EVALUATE
•Analyze each
component of the
speech
•Mark with a +, –, or 
EDUCATE
•Write comments as
appropriate
+

+–

+–

+


+–

+
+
+–

+

EVALUATE
Cicero
Brutus
•Rank speakers as you
go along
•Stacking ballots is a
simple way to do this
•Time is limited
•Write initial feedback
on student ballot
Marc Antony

Go immediately to the Ballot Check-in room.

Do not confer with others.

Questions? Ask the Orienter by Ballot Check.
EVALUATE
Marc Antony
Friendship
•Rank speakers from
Loyalty
1 to last
Brutus
st
5
7
Cicero
Latin oration
3
Cleopatra
Life on the Nile
2
Demosthenes
Greek fast food
8
Patrick Henry
Give me Liberty
1
Margaret Thatcher
Parliament
4
Winston Churchill
Never give up!
6
EVALUATE
•Rank speakers from
1st to last
•If no penalty, fill in
the final rank
•If there is a penalty,
ask for assistance at
Ballot Check-in
•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
PENALTIES?
• Note any
violations.
• Add penalty
points, if
applicable.
Circle the final
rank on the
student ballot.
For ranks of 5th, 6th,
7th or lower – circle
“#5 Fifth & below.”
EDUCATE
Reason for ranking•Compared to others
in round
Comments•Something done well
•Something needing
improvement

Turn into ballot checkers

Wait for them to be reviewed
Thank you!!
The term apologetics comes from the Classical
Greek word apologia, which means to give an
explanation or defense.
Christian apologetics is a rational, thoughtful
defense of the theological tenets of Christianity.
• Unique to Christian Homeschooling
• Total of 145 questions
• Six Categories
• Prepared Card File Box
• The purpose of Apologetics is to train students to
study and defend the core issues of their faith and
be prepared to defend what they believe.
• Apologetics does not equal Evangelism. They
compliment each other but they are not
synonymous.
Apologetics:
Systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of
a doctrine) : a branch of theology devoted to the
defense of the divine origin and authority of
Christianity.
(Merriam-Webster.com)
Evangelism:
Zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel.
(Wordnet.com)
Apologetics is a thoughtful, intellectual, analysis of a
question of faith or doctrine.
It is not necessarily a presentation of the gospel or
an overt evangelistic opportunity.
The end goal is for students to understand the
rational basis for their faith and to be able to
defend and communicate theological truth to
others.
• Students enter the room and receive three
topics.
• They have four minutes to prepare a six
minute speech on one of the topics.
• During their prep time they may use their
Bible and/or the card file they have prepared
ahead of time.
• During their speech they may use as many
cards as they need.
Rules state:
Judges should be sympathetic to the ideals of Stoa but…
“The question or topic should be approached from an
apologetic perspective and the speaker should craft his/her
response as if the audience is not sympathetic to the
message being presented.”
The student should…
• Explain ideas without “Christian jargon.” Use
common words.
• Provide a rational and researched defense of
truth.
• Not assume the audience agrees with them.
• Instead assume the audience is genuinely curious
about the issue or question. Don’t minimize the
issue.
Content trumps delivery. Apologetics is a unique event. Content is
the essence. Delivery is peripheral. The student should:
• Use Scripture –God’s Word is the foundation for all that we
believe. It is powerful!
©2011)
(New International Version,
• Use outside sources to back up claims.
• Have a humble and winsome spirit.
• Answer the question! Have intellectual integrity.
Give the student helpful critique.
This is a life skill with an eternal purpose.
Thank you so much for investing your time in these
students!