Events
Event Patterns
In the following events, students may enter into two (2) events in each pattern, with the
exception of Extemporaneous Speaking. If a student enters into Extemp, they may enter
two IE events in the opposite pattern. Students in these events cannot enter in another
event in that pattern. There is no double entry in Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, or
Congressional Debate (novice or varsity). There will be five prelim rounds in the
following events:
Alpha Pattern
Extemporaneous Speaking
Dramatic Interpretation
Humorous Interpretation
Original Oratory
Informative Speaking
Beta Pattern
Impromptu Speaking
Duo Interpretation
Programmed Oral Interp
Oratorical Declamation
Radio Speaking
Event Caps
Because of the overwhelming growth of the Laird Lewis, we are going to implement a
cap on each event. For all speech events and novice debate events, the cap will be set at
80 to start. Initial school registration caps will be set for each event as well (10 per
event). The tournament will remain first come, first registered. Waitlists will be opened
December15, 2015 for events not over their cap and to schools wishing additional slots in
an event. Once an event reaches its cap, a waitlist will be created and entries will be
registered as space becomes available. However, the tournament reserves the right to
waitlist events at any time (even if individual event caps are not reached) if total
tournament registration exceeds room capacity.
Varsity Debate Events - Rounds
Due to the increasing competitiveness of the Laird Lewis, we will be
offering six preliminary rounds of competition in our Varsity debate events. These
rounds will be double-flighted and, consequently, double entry will not be available to
competitors in these events. These events will break to the Octafinal level at a minimum
(Double-Octafinals for events that have more than 80 entries, Triples for events over
125).
Use of Electronic Retrieval Devices in Extemporaneous Prep, Public Forum Debate,
Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Congressional Debate
There has been a strong demand for laptops and tablets to be allowed at the Laird Lewis
Invitational in the above named events. All rules as established by the National
Forensic League regarding use of these devices in the National Tournament Manual
will apply at the Laird Lewis Invitational. In addition, the following guidelines should
be followed:
1) There will be a one-laptop-one-student rule. No students may share laptops. Public
forum teams can function as a unit to meet this rule for evidence storage. Students found
to be sharing will be required to turn the laptop off for the remainder of the tournament.
2) There will be a no-internet connection rule. Students may only access the files stored
on the computer's hard drive during Extemp Prep and all rounds. No internet connections
are allowed nor connections to outsiders may be used during preparation (for extemp) or
competition. Students caught with an active internet connection will be required to turn
off the device for the remainder of the tournament and will be given a loss (or rank of 9
in Extemp) for the infraction. Serious infractions may result in removal from the
tournament by the Tournament Directors at their discretion.
3) Myers Park High School, Myers Park Speech and Debate Boosters, CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, and Andrew West will assume no liability for laptops brought
onto the Myers Park High School campus for the Laird Lewis Invitational. Students are
reminded to lock up their computers and store them in a safe place.
4) No power will be provided by the tournament for laptops. You must be able to power
your laptop using your own batteries.
Event Rules
For all events, NFL rules will be used. For events not offered by the NFL, Tarheel
Forensic League rules will be used. For events not offered by either the NFL or TFL,
NCFL rules will be used.
Event Descriptions
The following DEBATE events will be offered at the Laird Lewis Invitational:
Lincoln-Douglas Debate – Novice and Varsity
This popular style of debating features one person on each side. Propositions of value are
debated with the emphasis on developing logical argumentation rather than an
accumulation of information. You will learn values analysis, argumentation skills, sound
and ethical uses of persuasion, and clear audience centered communication. The topic
will be the January February topic announced December 1, 2015.
Public Forum Debate – Novice and Varsity
Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. You and a partner will debate
controversial issues that are "stripped" from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be
announced the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org. A Public Forum
Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your
side and speaker position. Public Forum will test your skills in argumentation, crossexamination, and refutation. The topic will be the January topic announced December 1,
2015.
Congressional Debate – Open
This is individual debate in a large group setting. Legislative debaters research and write
pieces of Congressional legislation that they feel will better the society in which we live.
At a tournament, debaters will then speak on the legislation while using proper
parliamentary procedure. Judges score each competitor based on argumentation ability,
speaking technique, knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and overall
participation. The division will be open with awards given to the top non-advancing
designated novices. See the Congressional Debate page for more information.
The following SPEECH events will be offered at the Laird Lewis
Invitational:
Original Oratory
As an orator you will be expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of
originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to your audience, about a topic
you have chosen. Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a
solution this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. Your oration may simply alert the
audience to a threatening danger, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or
eulogize a person. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the
effectiveness of development and presentation. The time limit shall be 10 minutes.
However, each contestant is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty.
Dramatic Interpretation
This is an individual category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections
shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other
printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or
costumes. The time limit is 10 minutes which includes an introduction. There is no use
of physical objects or costume. The time limit shall be 10 minutes. However, each
contestant is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty. A cutting must be
from a single work of literature: one story, or one play, or one novel or one or more
poem(s). Use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined
by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.
Humorous Interpretation
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other
rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Duo Interpretation
This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic
in nature. In Duo Interpretation, focus may be direct during the introduction and the
performers may look at each other, but must be indirect [off-stage] during the
performance itself. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Contestants shall speak on a topic of current interest which will be chosen from three
topics drawn thirty minutes before competition. The time limit shall be 7 minutes with a
30 second 'grace period.'
Impromptu
Contestants will deliver a speech of from 3-5 minutes in length on a topic of general
interest. Topics may be humorous or serious in nature. The impromptu speech
does NOT have to be humorous to be deemed worthy and appropriate. Each speaker will
choose from three topics provided by the judge. Prep time is 2 minutes and is conducted
separately and prior to speaking time. Contestants can jot down brief notes for reference
in their speech, but may not use notes while giving their speech.
Radio Speaking
Contestants will deliver a radio broadcast of 3 minutes (5 second grace period) on a topic
provided by the tournament. Students are not seen by the judge and are evaluated solely
on what is heard. More information can be found on the Radio Speaking page .
Declamation
Students in 9th and 10th grade may participate in Declamation. In this event, students
deliver a speech that has been previously delivered in public. The script must be
memorized. Time limit of 10 minutes.
Informative Speaking and POI
The new rules as published by the NSDA on Nov 1, 2015 will be used for these events.
The following SUPPLEMENTAL events will be offered at the Laird Lewis
Invitational:
Impromptu Duet Acting
Students will pair up and deliver an improvised performance/skit involving two
characters and a situation. The students will draw three topics, choose one, and receive 2
minutes of prep time in which they may communicate quietly with their partner. The time
limit of the speech shall be 5 minutes—however, each team is given a 30 second
“GRACE PERIOD” without penalty. Students are limited to their imaginations, voices
and bodies—no furniture, props or costumes are allowed. Teams my look at each other,
interact with each other and not required to present an introduction. Students should USE
their prompts and bring the scene to some sort of resolution. Creativity and originality
should
play a
large role
in the
judge’s
You are a door-to-door salesmen who is trying to sell a
A
decision.
froghokenspaken (yes it is a made up word).
A sample
topic is
provided
below:
You answer your door, to a salesmen, you are interested in his
product, but more so in getting back to watching your favorite
Soap-opera.
B
Team
Imprompt
u Debate
This debate event will feature short rounds on impromptu topics.
1.
Any student may partner with any other student registered for a main event at the
Laird Lewis. Students do not need to be from the same school. Both partners must be
eliminated from all main events to participate.
2.
There will be three rounds of competition. The resolutions for each round will be
provided at registration of the tournament. They will be current and politically-oriented.
3.
Teams will flip a coin for sides and speaking order. The team that speaks first has
right to first question in all Crossfires.
4.
The topic is to be debated literally. Debaters are prohibited from using published
materials (dictionaries, magazines, books, etc.), prepared arguments, or other similar
resources in the debate. Notes and/or an outline may be used but speakers should present
extemporaneously rather than read prewritten speeches. Debaters should signpost,
explain/warrant, and impact their arguments, referencing current fact and opinion where
appropriate.
5.
Speaking Times
6.
a.
First Team/First Speaker (Constructive) – 2 minutes
b.
Second Team/First Speaker (Constructive) – 2 minutes
c.
Crossfire (First Speakers) – 2 minutes
d.
PREP TIME – 1 minute for both teams
e.
First Team/Second Speaker (Rebuttal) – 2 minutes
f.
Second Team/Second Speaker (Rebuttal) – 2 minutes
g.
Crossfire (Second Speakers) – 2 minutes
h.
PREP TIME – 30 seconds for both teams
i.
First Team/Either Speaker (Conclusion) – 1 minute
j.
Second Team/Either Speaker (Conclusion) – 1 minute
Judges will record a WIN/LOSS and TEAM SPEAKER POINTS for each round.
STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPETED IN A PRIMARY EVENT IN ORDER TO
COMPETE IN A SUPPLEMENTAL. Students who do not advance in ANY main events
may compete in supplemental event. Teams may be combined in any fashion desired,
including students from two different schools.
Pre-registration is $5 per student on the Speechwire registration system, late registration
is $10 per student on Saturday, Jan 9.