1. Speech Orientation
Welcome

2. Stoa…
“… trains Christian, homeschooled youth in speech and debate, in order to better communicate a biblical worldview.”

3. Students… 12 – 18 years of age From multiple states
Compete in multiple events including debate
Improve communication skills
Develop friendships
Desire to impact their culture

4. Judges… Everyone is experienced! May be multiple judges in the room
Set aside personal bias and expertise
Be responsive!
No discussion with speakers
No consultation with one another
“Everyone is experienced!” - Trust your natural communication instincts. Each of you has been processing communication all of your life, you just never called it judging before. We encourage responsiveness ( nodding, grinning, laughing). You do not need to be “poker-faced.”

5. The setting… Turn off cell phones Sit front and center
Wait for all judges before starting round
Stay until every competitor has presented
Write on ballots after each speech with a blue or black ink pen
Competitors may speak out of listed order
Audience members may come and go
Judges may control the room. Do what you need to be comfortable.

6. The events… PLATFORM LIMITED PREP WILDCARD INTERPRETIVE
Original Oratory
Persuasive
Expository
INTERPRETIVE
Dramatic
Humorous
Open
Duo
LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
WILDCARD
Cold Reading
Monologue

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

8. PLATFORM Wide open Persuasive Elements Visuals and Props
Original Oratory
Persuasive
Expository
Wide open
Persuasive Elements
Visuals and Props

9. 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

10. INTERPRETIVE Dramatic Humorous Open Duo Serious
Light-hearted
Serious or Light-hearted
Multiple pieces allowed
May be written by student
2 speakers = 1 speech
No direct contact

11. 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

12. LIMITED PREP Extemp Current event question answered
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Current event question answered
30 minutes of prep time (in a separate room)
7 minute speech
One 3 x 5 card allowed
Something about judges need to be in the competition room on time even if the rest of tournament is running late.

13. LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Addresses the appeal & impact of cultural media to find common ground with biblical truths in 7 categories
4 minutes to prepare 6 minute speech
May use a notebook of research to prepare
May use one note card during speech
Prep time is done in competition room. The competitor uses books, movies, and other genre to discuss the appeal and impact of the theme(s) within the topic, holding them up in light of Christian truth found in the Bible.

14. LIMITED PREP Mars Hill Identifies shared human experience
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Identifies shared human experience
Explains the significance of the topic
Conversational tone of speaking
This is more “man on the street” type of informal speaking differing from Extemp or Apologetics but not an actual “conversation” with judges.

15. LIMITED PREP Apologetics 100 questions in 6 categories
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
100 questions in 6 categories
4 minutes to prepare a 6 minute speech
May use researched card file and a Bible to prepare
Multiple note cards allowed in presentation
Prep time is done in competition room.

16. Apologetics is a unique event; Content is Key
LIMITED PREP
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Apologia: to give an explanation or defense
. . . 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)
This event allows students to solidify their own faith on the basic Christian doctrines. Content is weighted heavier than presentation.
Apologetics is a unique event; Content is Key

17. LIMITED PREP Apologetics
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Apologetics is a thoughtful, intellectual, analysis of a question of faith or doctrine.
Apologetics communicates a rational basis for faith and theological truth to others.
Apologetics may or may not be an evangelistic opportunity

18. LIMITED PREP Apologetics
Extemp
Mars Hill
Apologetics
Judges should be in agreement with the Stoa Statement of Faith. (copy available at end of slides)
The speaker should craft the speech in a persuasive manner using:
Scripture
Outside sources
Pastors and Apologists speak to both audiences. Both the Sunday school teacher or the unbeliever may ask the questions.

19. WILDCARD Cold Reading 2 minutes prep No time limit – set script
Focus is on voice presentation

20. WILDCARD Monologue Thoughts or voice from a single persona
Dramatic or Humorous
Well defined course of thought
As with all Interpretives, competitor may or may not have eye contact.

21. Ballots… Two Types: Check for conflicts Tabulation Ballot: Rank
You will be given two types of ballots. Check names on Tabulation ballot for conflicts. Judge an event only once.
Each one has a different purpose. Student ballot is to evaluate and to educate; the Tabulation ballot is to rank.
Tabulation Ballot:
Rank
Student Ballots:
Report and Educate

22. Tabulation Ballot… Please read rules on reverse side
Tabulation ballot is not seen by students

23. Student Ballot…
Copy speaker, room, and round from Tab Ballot (Please use dark ink)
Judge = you!
Jot down topic
Duration = length of speech and considered a ballot criteria
No minimum time limits

24. Student Ballot… Using Rules and Ballot Criteria:
Rate the student’s performance on “Evaluate” scale.
The numbers are not used by the tournament to determine points or rank.
This is a basic scale indicating how the competitor measured up to your expectations. The numbers are not used by the tournament tab to determine points or a win.

25. Student Ballot… In Comments section: Report what you saw
Educate student:
what worked
what didn’t
Judges may ask time person for 2 minutes between speakers. Jot down initial feedback. You have plenty of time in the judge’s room later to finish your ballot comments and evaluation.
Reminder: Time between speakers is limited.

26. Penalties
Note any violations

27. Ranking Stacking ballots to order speakers
Ben Franklin
Set ranking without penalties considered
Marie Curie
Mark Twain
Stacking ballots to order speakers
Set ranking without penalties considered.
Complete evaluation and comments later in the judges room.

28. See Ballot Return to complete
Tab Ballot…
Mark Twain
Alexander Hamilton
Harriett Tubman
Ronald Reagan
Marie Curie
Martin Luther King Jr.
Queen Esther
Benjamin Franklin
Using criteria on rules and ballots
Order speakers from 1st to last
Add penalty points
Mark Twain
Alexander Hamilton
Harriett Tubman
Ronald Reagan
Marie Curie
Martin Luther King Jr.
Queen Esther
Benjamin Franklin
Demolition
Neon Lights
Railroad Ties
Living the Dream
Savings Plan
The Time Is Now
Keys To Success
Cave Tours 1 7 3 2 4 6 8 5 1
NOTE:
There can be no ties 7
See Ballot Return to complete 3 2 1 4
No penalty –
Carry forward to Final Rank 6 8 5

29. Educate… Complete Comments- Something done well
Something needing improvement
Circle Individual Rank
For ranks 5-8
Circle 5th and Below
Reason for ranking-
Compared to others in round
Circle individual rank – 1 through 5&below this is different. Your comments are useful for the students to improve. The students are looking for what they could do to move up in rank for you?

30. After you have heard all the speakers…
Go immediately to the Ballot Return room
Do not confer with others
Questions? Ask the Orientation Staff by Ballot Return

31. Ballot is complete… Turn in to ballot return
Wait for ballots to be reviewed
Judge an event only once
We would love to for you to judge again. Remember, you can only judge each event one time per tournament.

32. For investing your time in these students!
Thank you!
For investing your time in these students!

33. Stoa Statement of Faith
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.