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This is individual debate in a large group setting. Congressional Debate models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Students optionally write legislation submitted by their coach to a tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions distributed by each tournament. At the tournament, students set an agenda of what legislation to discuss, they debate the merits and disadvantages of each, and they vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for debate, and students extemporaneously respond to each others arguments over the course of a session. Congressional Debate is a valuable learning exercise, because students familiarize themselves with current social and political problems and learn appropriate behavior and rules for formal meetings. Contestants are evaluated by judges for their research and analysis of issues, argumentation, skill in asking and answering questions, use of parliamentary procedure, and clarity and fluency of speaking.
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Lincoln Douglas Debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. A value is an ideal held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. One debater upholds each side of the resolution from a value perspective. To that end, no plan (or counterplan) should be offered. A plan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. The debate should focus on logical reasoning to support a general principle instead of particular plans and counterplans. Debaters may offer generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general principle could guide decisions. Topics change every two months.
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Debaters work in pairs (teams) to address the school year's topic, either from the affirmative side (to propose a plan to solve a problem with the topic), or the negative side (to prove how the affirmatives plan is flawed). Argumentation includes a constructive case, cross-examination, and refutation. Skills learned include research, policy analysis, case building, refutation, questioning, organization and communication.
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Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. Two pairs (teams) debate monthly controversial topics ripped from newspaper headlines. Rounds begin with a coin toss between the competing teams to determine side and order (Pro-Con or Con-Pro). Public Forum tests skills in argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation.
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A contestant draws three questions, selects one, then has 30 minutes to prepare a speech in response. The contestant utilizes files of published materials (books, magazines, newspapers, online sources) s/he has compiled as a resource for answering the question. At the completion of the 30 minute preparation period, the student speaks on the topic for up to 7 minutes. The NFL divides extemp. into two separate events: United States (dealing with domestic issues), and International (issues beyond US borders).
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Orators are expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to the audience, about a topic of significance. 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.
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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.
This is an individual category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
This is a two-person category in which the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.
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Contestants eliminated from the main events after Round 8 of the National Tournament (or the runoff round in debate and LD) may participate in supplemental events if pre-registered. Some district tournaments may offer these events, as well.
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Expository speeches are original compositions of the contestant. The Expository speech is a speech to inform, not a performance. It should describe, clarify, illustrate or define an object, idea, concept, or process. A fabricated topic/subject may not be used. In Expository, a student may not use any portion of his/her original oration entered at any NFL tournament. Maximum time of presentation is five minutes.
"Commentary is a combination of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. It requires a knowledge of current events as well as some history. Interestingly, it can frequently require the speaker to have a knowledge of local and regional issues. Frequently, TV and radio station managers offer 'commentary' on some trend or community problem. Editorial writers offer similar 'commentaries' of a journalistic nature." - Bro. Rene Sterner, FSC, May 1998 Rostrum
- Twenty minutes prior to the beginning of the round, the contestant draws three topics, selects one, and prepares a speech of no more than five minutes, consulting sources pursuant to the same rules governing materials and evidence in Extemporaneous Speaking.
- The presentation is delivered seated at a table or desk, striving for a delivery similar to that suitable for public commentary before community groups and/or media audiences. The contestant should speak clearly, persuasively, and conversationally. Word choice should be precise for accuracy and clarity.
- The contestant's content is to be judged on the general effectiveness of the delivery, the depth of the position developed, and the evidential, logical, and emotional support for the position taken. Contestants are not required to take a specific stance, but could choose any one of several possible positions, e.g., advocacy, criticism, concern, balanced objectivity, commendation, etc.
Poetry is writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. Poetry may rely on verse and stanza form. Only published, printed works may be used. No plays or other dramatic materials may be used. A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs: fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies). A student may not use the same source used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any NFL tournament.
The new event modifies existing rules of Parliamentary Debate to address the needs of a supplemental event at nationals. The one-on-one debate format will address a topic that changes each round. The debate does not permit published material to be used or consulted during the round, but debaters may reference scholarly work in their speeches. Debaters will not read pre-written speeches, briefs, or evidence. Instead, debaters speak impromptu from a few notes that record the arguments the other debater made, as well as outline his/her own main points. Each of these points should be signposted, explained, supported by relevant facts and examples, and given impact. Debaters must learn to think on their feet, adding and elaborating upon arguments while speaking. However, unlike Parliamentary Debate, all time is protected. A speaker may not interrupt another. There is designated cross-examination of the proposition and opposition by the opposing debater immediately following the constructive speeches.
Contestants at the National Tournament eliminated after three days of competition may enter consolation events, if pre-registered.
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Storytelling rules state a single published, printed story, anecdote, tale, myth or legend must be retold without notes or props. The student may not tell a story used previously in any NFL district and/or national tournament. The delivery must be extempore, not read. No book or script may be used. The contestant must not add original material or materially change the content of the story.
The Impromptu speech should be regarded as an original interpretation by the speaker of the designated topic as supported by varied materials and gives a contestant opportunity to be creative and imaginative. An impromptu speech should reveal the student's ability to organize her/his thoughts in a logical manner.