Find your voice. Make your case.

At the intercollegiate level, Lincoln-Douglas is one-on-one policy debate. The membership proposes several topic areas for the season and votes to select one. The LD committee then proposes several resolutions.

Parliamentary debate is a 2-on-2 or 1-on-1 format where the resolution changes every debate. Debaters have 20 to 30 minutes to prepare their case for a specific resolution, then compete against teams from across the United States.

Flight A events

Dramatic Duo: A cutting from one or more texts of literary merit, humorous or serious, portraying two or more characters presented by two people. Material may come from any genre. This isn’t an acting event, so no costumes, props, or lighting. Presentation is from the manuscript, with focus off-stage and not on each other. Maximum time is 10 minutes, including introduction.

Extemporaneous Speaking: Contestants receive three current-events topics, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare an original speech. Maximum speaking time is 7 minutes. Limited notes are permitted. Students speak in listed order, and topic postings are staggered.

Informative Speaking: An original, factual speech on a realistic subject that informs the audience. Audio-visual aids may be used. Multiple sources should be used and cited. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Flight B events

Impromptu Speaking: A substantive impromptu speech, with topics drawn from quotations and varied by round and section. Speakers have 7 minutes total for preparation and speaking, starting when they accept the topic sheet. Limited notes are permitted.

Persuasive Speaking: An original speech designed to inspire, reinforce, or change the audience’s beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions. Audio-visual aids may be used. Multiple sources should be used and cited. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Program Oral Interpretation: A program of thematically linked selections of literary merit from two or three genres (prose, poetry, drama), focused on developing the theme through narrative, language, and characterization. Each genre must take a substantial portion of the time and come from separate pieces of literature. Only one selection may be original. A manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes, including introduction.

Prose Interpretation: Original or selected prose of literary merit, which may come from more than one source, focused on developing the narrative. Play cuttings and poetry are prohibited. A manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes, including introduction.

Flight C events

After Dinner Speaking: An original, humorous speech showing sound composition, thematic coherence, direct public speaking skills, and good taste. It shouldn’t resemble a nightclub act, impersonation, or comic dialogue. Audio-visual aids may be used. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Communication Analysis: An original speech that explains or evaluates a communication event, such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, or campaign, using rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may be used. Manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Drama Interpretation: A cutting representing one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit, focused on developing characterization. Material may come from stage, screen, or radio. A manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes, including introduction.

Poetry Interpretation: Poetry of literary merit, which may come from more than one source, focused on developing language. Play cuttings and prose are prohibited. A manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes, including introduction.

Yes, scholarships are available for the Debate and Forensics Team. Students on scholarship should plan to travel 3–4 times per semester and attend practice sessions regularly.

Joining the team is free. All we ask is that members work hard and represent Missouri Valley University to the best of their abilities.

When you apply for a debate scholarship, it helps to include examples of your work, such as videos of speeches or rounds or files you’ve cut. Email them to robertsd@moval.edu. For more details about scholarships, request information (opens in a new tab).

David Bowers is the Debate and Forensics coach. Before joining Missouri Valley, he worked with the Great Debaters of Wiley College, helping the team to a top-five finish at nationals. Contact him at bowersd@moval.edu.