Thank you for coming! Rev

“… 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

INTERPRETIVE Dramatic Humorous Open Duo LIMITED PREP Impromptu*ExtempApologeticsMars Hill PLATFORM Original Oratory Persuasive Expository WILDCARD StorytellingBroadcasting

A prepared speech, written by the competitor with the purpose of informing, exposing, entertaining, inspiring, or persuading on a topic. PLATFORM

Original Oratory PersuasiveExpository Memorized Wide open Elements of persuasion Visuals and props allowed

INTERPRETIVE Author and title identified Memorized 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.

Serious INTERPRETIVE Dramatic Humorous OpenDuo Light-hearted 2 speakers = 1 speech No direct contact Multiple pieces allowed Dramatic or humorous May be written by student One prop allowed

LIMITED PREP Spontaneously prepared Varied time limits Topic stated by student Copy of topics/questions provided 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.

 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 LIMITED PREP 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 ExtempMars Hill Impromptu* Apologetics

 2 minutes to prepare a 5-minute speech  A judge issues topics  No notes allowed  Timekeeper provided LIMITED PREP Extemp Mars Hill Apologetics Impromptu*

WILDCARD WILDCARDS 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

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 WILDCARD Broadcasting

Tabulation Ballot: Rank. THE BALLOTS… Two Types: Student Ballots: Evaluate and Educate

Please read rules on reverse side This tabulation ballot is not seen by students Tabulation ballot…

Two Goals: Evaluate Rate and rank students Educate Tell what works and what doesn’t The STUDENT Ballot…

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 – – – – +

Cicero Brutus Marc AntonyMarc Antony EVALUATE Rank speakers as you go along Stacking ballots is a simple way to do this Time is limited Write initial feedback on student ballot

 Go immediately to the Ballot Check-in room.  Do not confer with others.  Questions? Ask the Orienter by Ballot Check.

EVALUATE Rank speakers from 1 st to last Marc AntonyMarc Antony Brutus Cicero Cleopatra Demosthenes Patrick HenryPatrick Henry Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill Life on the NileLife on the Nile Greek fast foodGreek fast food Latin orationLatin oration Give me LibertyGive me Liberty Loyalty Parliament Never give up!Never give up! Friendship

6 EVALUATE Rank speakers from 1 st 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 AntonyMarc Antony Brutus Cicero Cleopatra Demosthenes Patrick HenryPatrick Henry Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill Life on the NileLife on the Nile Greek fast foodGreek fast food Latin orationLatin oration Give me LibertyGive me Liberty Loyalty Parliament Never give up!Never give up! Friendship

PENALTIES? Note any violations. Add penalty points, if applicable.

Circle the final rank on the student ballot. For ranks of 5 th, 6 th, 7 th 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.

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.

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!