Written by Jason Stansell

For new speakers and debaters, understanding the different events can be intimidating. The basic idea of Debate can be pretty self-explanatory as it means you’ll be arguing different points. However, the “Public Speaking”or “Competitive Speech” can seem far more confusing (and downright terrifying). While you likely understand the words within each event title, their names aren’t quite as clear as to what you do in said event. Thus, I am here to offer a much-needed introduction to the Speech Events we compete in at Potomac Debate Academy.

Performative Speech Events

Likely the easiest to explain. In Interpretation (Interp) events, you find a printed selection of something you want to perform. It could be from a play or movie, even some television scripts are printed and available to the public. You can also choose to take some carefully chosen selections from a book or use a short story. There are situations where you could even find long-form poetry that you could perform. I’ve even seen a few stand-up routines that have been published.

Dramatic Interpretation — These are pieces that are dramatic in nature. They don’t have to be over the top, and they can contain some humor, but the main focus must be drama. They can range emotionally from something lighthearted but of a serious nature, such as someone talking about what it is like to help out at food giveaways. Or it could be something more dramatic, such as someone saying goodbye to their dead father at his funeral. As long as there is more drama than humor, no matter how subtle, it can be used.

Humorous Interpretation — These are pieces that are humorous in nature. They also do not have to be over the top, and they can contain some drama, but the main focus must be humor. They can range emotionally from something partly serious, such as a character trying to write a letter to their soon-to-be child, or something completely off the wall, such as a character overhearing someone talking about a team getting new uniforms, and thinking it is “unicorns.” 

Program Oral Interpretation — This event is a bit different from the two other Interpretation events. Instead of just one piece competitors use selections books, plays, novels, memoirs, poems, etc. to create a ten-minute performance around a central theme of your own choosing. This is the only Interpretation event in which a manuscript is required and may even be used as a prop during the performance. Students typically use an introduction to help weave their selections together into one cohesive piece. 

I’ve even seen a piece with both humorous and dramatic moments — about a character getting a letter from the Juilliard School of Music and their hesitation over opening it or not — be used in both Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation; it all depends on how the piece is delivered.

Informative Speech Events:

These two Speech Events are the most like debate; that is if you were to be debating against no one, and getting to create the topic that you are going to argue, all by yourself. However, they are nowhere as intimidating as that sounds. You’re essentially writing a speech about something that matters to you or that you find interesting. It could be something as simple as baking, or video game piracy, inequality in the prison systems, school uniforms, a specific flavor of toothpaste, allergies, Doctor Who, split ends, how and why the yellow M&Ms taste better than the red ones, etc. Basically, the choice is yours when it comes to the topic, as well as how you deliver it.

Original Oratory — In Original Oratory, you have the opportunity to write and deliver a memorized speech on any topic you want to explain or advocate to your audience. If you want to write about the inequality of the prison system, the terrible taste of school lunches, bedtime stories, whatever… the world is your oyster. As long as the speech is seven to 10 minutes long, if you want to tell the world what is on your mind, this may be the event for you.

Informative Speaking — While Original Oratory is to explain or advocate, Informative is to inform, almost as if you’re giving your own TED Talk. . Same time limits, same open topic concept, but you get to use props and/or a display board to help demonstrate what you’re speaking about (though props are not required!).  If you want to discuss different hair types, experiencing pain, Afrofuturism, the history of Post-its, video game piracy, etc., every and all possible imagined options are open to you.

Limited Prep Events:

In these Speech events, you come in without knowing what you will be speaking about. You’re given your topic and it’s up to you to come up with your speech right there at the tournament. I know that sounds scary, but it’s not as intimidating as it sounds once you’ve actually competed in either event.

Impromptu Speaking — In Impromptu you’re given three topics to choose from. Example: Cheesecake, the United Nations Security Council, and a quote from Einstein. The choice is yours on which you want to pick. Once you have selected your topic, you are given a total of seven minutes to both brainstorm your ideas on how to deliver a speech on that topic and give the speech itself. Some competitors may spend 4 minutes preparing for a 3 minute speech, others may spend 2 minutes preparing for a 5 minute speech.. All off the top of your head. However, good news! Your speech could be based entirely on your own interpretation of the topic. If you picked Cheesecake, you could describe step-by-step how to make cheesecake. Or you can talk about all the varieties there are out there. You can even talk about being lactose intolerant and that cheesecake is your mortal enemy. You have free reign within the chosen topic.

Extemporaneous Speaking — Much like Impromptu students are given a few topic choices, from which they pick one. However, unlike Impromptu these topics are most often focused on current events, such as popular interest, societal, political, and historical issues. Students will then have 20-30 minutes to research and prepare to deliver a 7-minute speech. Students may, and are strongly encouraged, to consult and present articles and evidence much as they would in debate.