Falcon Forensics & Debate offers you the opportunity to explore abilities and develop skills through four genre: debate & alternative events, public address speaking, limited preparation and interpretive performance through a series of challenging and fun categories. Click on the links below to find out more about each event.

Debate & Alternative Genre
Discussion
Lincoln Douglas Debate
Parliamentary Debate
Experimental Events

Public Address Genre
Informative Speaking
Persuasion
After Dinner Speaking
Rhetorical/Communication Analysis

Limited Preparation Genre
Impromptu Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking

Interpretation Genre
Poetry Interpretation
Prose Interpretation
Readers’ Interpretive Theatre
Duo Interpretation
Program Oral Interpretation
Dramatic Interpretation

Debate & Alternative Genre
Discussion
Contestants participate in roundtable group communication focused on three aspects of critical problem solving: Topic Focus, Issue Isolation and Solution Making. This is a non-research based/non-confrontational form of communicative problem solving. 60 minute time limit per round.

Lincoln/Douglas Debate
This is a two-person debate format based on stock issues (policy) debating. Contestants develop both a case supporting the resolution (chosen yearly by the National Forensics Association) and arguments for maintaining the opposing side of the issue. Participants develop and maintain a file of evidence to support their positions. The resolution remains constant throughout each season. Round time limit is 45 minutes.

Parliamentary Debate
This is a four-person cross-examination format for debating, based on the philosophy of parliamentary procedure, akin to British Parliament and “Robert’s Rules of Order”. Teams receive a stimulus for the debate and the affirmative team defines the direction of the debate. This form of debating is non-research oriented and encourages audience participation and the inclusion of humor. Rounds last roughly 60 minutes.
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Experimental Events
Each season, individual leagues and tournaments offer experimental or “wild card” events in an effort to continue growth and experimentation within the forensics activity. These events range from Impromptu Sales Speaking to Original Poetry to Biographical Informative Speaking to the Interpretation of Musical Lyrics. Events may fall within traditional I.E. (Individual Events) genre or may combine genre. Rules and time limits vary per tournament.

• 2009 NFA Experimental Event: Editorial Impromptu Speaking
• 2009 OFA Experimental Event: Sports Extemporaneous Speaking
• 2008 NFA Experimental Event: Biographical Informative Speaking
• 2008 OFA Experimental Event: International Culture Informative Speaking

Public Address Genre
Informative Speaking
Contestants deliver a memorized original factual speech on a realistic subject to fulfill a general information need of the audience. Visual/auditory aids which supplement/reinforce the message are permitted. 8-10 minute time limit.

Persuasion
Contestants deliver an original memorized speech to convince, move to action, or to inspire on an issue of significance. 8-10 minute time limit.
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After Dinner Speaking
Contestants present an original memorized speech with the purpose of making a serious point through the use of humor. The speech should reflect the spirit of a humorous, comedic speech, not a stand-up comedy routine. 8-10 minute time limit.

Rhetorical/Communication Analysis
Contestants deliver a memorized original critical analysis of any significant communication event. Any legitimate critical methodology is permissible, as long as it serves to open up the communication event for analysis. 8-10 minute time limit.

Limited Preparation Genre
Impromptu Speaking
Contestants receive quotations and/or cartoons from which to create an analytical speech. A total of 7 minutes may be divided between preparation and speaking. Contestants should speak for at least 3 minutes. All contestants in the same section will receive the same topic stimulus. 7 minute maximum time limit.

Extemporaneous Speaking
Contestants select one of three topics on a current national, international, economic, or social issue/event. The contestant will have 30 minutes to prepare a 5-7 minute speech on the topic selected. Notes are permissible, but should be kept to a minimum. 7 minute maximum time limit.
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Interpretation Genre
Poetry Interpretation
Contestants present a program of poetic literature. Original introductory comments and/or transitions are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Manuscripts are required. 8-10 minute time limit.

Prose Interpretation
Contestants present a program of prose literature. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections in 1st, 2nd or 3rd person. Plays are not permitted and manuscript is required. 8-10 minute time limit.

Readers’ Interpretive Theatre
A 25 minute (including set-up and strike) thematic interpretive program or single textual selection presented by a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of nine (9) participants. Literature may come from any literary genre’ or be a combination of genre’. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. The use of manuscripts is required. This is not an acting event.
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Duo Interpretation
Contestants perform a cutting from a play, humorous or serious, is presented by two individuals. This is not an acting event; thus, costumes, props, etc. are not permitted. Manuscript is required and focus should be offstage. 8-10 minute time limit.

Program Oral Interpretation
A program of thematically linked selections of literary merit selected from at least 2 of the 3 genres of competitive interpretation (prose, poetry, drama). Nontraditional material may also be included. Original comments and/or transitions are permitted. Manuscripts are required. 8-10 minute time limit.

Dramatic Interpretation
Contestants present a cutting, which represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. Original introductory comments and/or transitions are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Manuscripts are required. 8-10 minute time limit.
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