Please direct questions/concerns to Christine Weatherby: by email mweatherby@ecps.org or by text #219-730-6447. 

 

Dear Speech Coach: 

 

This year, East Chicago Central High School is excited to partner with Purdue University Northwest, to host the 2022 “Power of our Words” Speech Tournament. We invite your school to attend and warmly welcome all Novice competitors. 

 

The tournament will commence on: Saturday, October 8, 2022 

 

Final registration/check-in: *Registration is from 7:15 - 7:45 am. Please arrive early to pick up your team packet and to check-in.

*The time block for final registration is: 7:15- 7:45 am

 

Location: Purdue Northwest, Hammond Campus, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323

 

Parking: Busses should also park in the 169^th street log. Please inform judges to park in the 169^th street lot.

 

Building & Meeting Information:  When you arrive, please head to the SULB (Student Unity Library Building) and look for the registration desk. Signs will be posted. Maps will be distributed. Student volunteers will be ready to help with directions.

 

The central meeting place will be the SULB Building.

Therefore, please plan to use the cafeteria (commons area) as a home base. Teams will be able to use this space to relax throughout the tournament.

The tournament rounds will largely take place in the SULB, Porter, and Gyte buildings. If needed, some events may spill over into the Nills building.

 

Judges: Please bring at least one judge for every four entries.  At the coach's discretion, you may bring/use your Varsity competitors as judges.

 

 

Food: Because Purdue is hosting, we are unable to provide concessions. Therefore, please plan to bring a few light snacks and drinks for your team.

Purdue has volunteered to purchase a pizza lunch for all competitors and all judges/helpers. So please make sure to thank them if you get the opportunity.

 

Bring a water bottle: Contestants and judges are encouraged to bring a water bottle and to refill it throughout the day. 

 

Judge’s Lounge: Light snacks and bottled water will be provided.  

Purdue has volunteered to purchase a pizza lunch for all competitors and all judges/helpers.

The judge’s Lounge will be located in on the third floor of the SULB Building.

 

SpeechWire: The tournament will be set up through SpeechWire. We plan to use paper ballots. 

The tab room will be located in the SULB Building and is currently room SUL 108.

 

Entries: Because this is a Novice tournament, each team is encouraged to bring as many competitors as you would like for each event, with a limit of 45 total. However, please make sure to bring enough judges. *Please bring at least one judge for every four entries. *Experienced/Varsity students will be allowed to judge events. Because this is a Novice tournament,  those that may qualify for Varsity judges will be at the coach’s discretion.

 

Novice Defined: a first-year competitor or one who has fewer than 50 NFL/NSDA Points.

 

Varsity Judge: a competitor who has 250 or more NFL/NSDA Points on record by the time of the tournament.

Please note: Only the first four entries will count towards sweeps points. 

 

Double entering: Contestants are allowed to double enter with the exception of Discussion. However, please be advised that Duo partners must double with the same partner for both events.

 

 

 

Radio Broadcasting: 

Special thanks to Dakota McCoy, from Chesterton, for putting this section together. 

Round 1

Newscast (5m target time)

Students will prepare a 5 minute newscast prior to the competition using material of their choice. Standard format is suggested: Sign-on / Music Lead-in, International News, National News, Local News, Commercial, Special Interest Story, Weather, Sign-off / Music Lead-out. Vocal clarity, selection of material, creativity, believability, and professionalism are a priority for judging.

Round 2

Breaking News (Untimed)

Students will be given a paper copy of "breaking news" fresh off the wire. Each student will have 1m to prep on the paper copy and then will read the news, untimed and untrimmed. Suggested practice is a brief version of your sign-on and immediately get to the breaking news before signing back off. Clear, stumble-free vocal delivery is a priority for judging.

Round 3

Editorial (2m)

Student will bring a prepared a argumentative piece on a topic of his or her choice. Suggested practice is a brief sign-on, introduction to topic, two supports, conclusion, and sign-off. Clear thesis, compelling argument, professionalism, and vocal clarity are a priority for judging.

Round 4 (Final)

On-The-Spot (2m)

At the start of prep, students will be given a paper copy of a picture from the previous week's events in the news. The photo will include a caption with basic information for the image. Each student will have 2m to prep on the paper copy and then begin a 2-minute segment of reporting "on-the-spot" of the photo, as if they were there and reporting live. Students may not bring pre-prepared materials to prep (including outlines typed/written on paper). Students may not use electronics (laptops, tablets, etc) to prep. Students are encouraged to adhere to public address delivery and avoid interpretive choices such as character interviews. Vocal clarity, poise, believability, and ability to vividly paint the scene are a priority for judging.

 

 

Discussion: Artifacts and a few starter questions will be posted in SpeechWire.

 

Extemp: Topics will be posted in SpeechWire.

Topics will be taken from current events. Extemp draw before rounds 1 & 3. Students will present their round 1 speech in round 2. Students will draw again and present their round 3 speech in the final round. Because this is a Novice tournament, and possibly a first tournament for many, the extempers will be allowed to have "angels" with them. "Angels" are varsity extempers who help the novice extempers through prep.

 

Because this is a Novice tournament:

Binders/notes will be allowed in all events, even memorized, because it is so early in the season. Judges will be told not to hold this against a student.

Extemp and Impromptu will be allowed to use their notes.

For this event, Extemp students may use the internet to access articles during the allocated prep time.

 

We look forward to seeing you soon as together we create opportunities for our superstars! 

 

Kindest regards, 

 

Christine Weatherby 

Email: mweatherby@ecps.org 

Phone: 219-730-6447 

Mailing Address:  1100 W. Columbus Drive, East Chicago, IN 46312

 

Head Coach/Sponsor: Speech & Debate

(219) 354-9281 ext. 73637 | Room: 273 

mweatherby@ecps.org | mweatherby@ivytech.edu | weathe17@pnw.edu  

(vr)