SpeechWire Tournament Services - Forensics Tournament Software

In the following events, students may enter into two (2) events in each pattern, with the exception of Extemporaneous Speaking. If a student enters into Extemp, they may enter two IE events in the opposite pattern. Students in these events cannot enter in another event in that pattern. There is no double entry in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas, Varsity Public Forum, or Congressional Debate (novice or varsity). There will be five prelim rounds in the following events:

Because of the overwhelming growth of the Laird Lewis, we are going to implement a cap on each event. For all speech events and novice debate events, the cap will be set at 75 to start. Initial school registration caps will be set for each event as well (6 per event). The tournament will remain first come, first registered. Waitlists will be opened December1, 2013 for events not over their cap and to schools wishing additional slots in an event. Once an event reaches its cap, a waitlist will be created and entries will be registered as space becomes available. However, the tournament reserves the right to waitlist events at any time (even if individual event caps are not reached) if total tournament registration exceeds room capacity.

Due to the increasing competitiveness of the Laird Lewis, we will be offering six preliminary rounds of competition in our Varsity debate events. These rounds will be double-flighted and, consequently, double entry will not be available to competitors in these events. These events will break to the Octafinal level at a minimum (Double-Octafinals for events that have more than 80 entries, Triples for events over 125).

Use of Electronic Retrieval Devices in Extemporaneous Prep, Public Forum Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Congressional Debate

There has been a strong demand for laptops and tablets to be allowed at the Laird Lewis Invitational in the above named events. All rules as established by the National Forensic League regarding use of these devices in the National Tournament Manual will apply at the Laird Lewis Invitational. In addition, the following guidelines should be followed:

1) There will be a one-laptop-one-student rule. No students may share laptops. Public forum teams can function as a unit to meet this rule for evidence storage. Students found to be sharing will be required to turn the laptop off for the remainder of the tournament.

2) There will be a no-internet connection rule. Students may only access the files stored on the computer's hard drive during Extemp Prep and all rounds. No internet connections are allowed nor connections to outsiders may be used during preparation (for extemp) or competition. Students caught with an active internet connection will be required to turn off the device for the remainder of the tournament and will be given a loss (or rank of 9 in Extemp) for the infraction. Serious infractions may result in removal from the tournament by the Tournament Directors at their discretion.

3) Myers Park High School, Myers Park Speech and Debate Boosters, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Andrew West will assume no liability for laptops brought onto the Myers Park High School campus for the Laird Lewis Invitational. Students are reminded to lock up their computers and store them in a safe place.

4) No power will be provided by the tournament for laptops. You must be able to power your laptop using your own batteries.

For all events, NFL rules will be used. For events not offered by the NFL, Tarheel Forensic League rules will be used. For events not offered by either the NFL or TFL, NCFL rules will be used.

The following DEBATE events will be offered at the Laird Lewis Invitational:

This popular style of debating features one person on each side. Propositions of value are debated with the emphasis on developing logical argumentation rather than an accumulation of information. You will learn values analysis, argumentation skills, sound and ethical uses of persuasion, and clear audience centered communication. The topic will be the January February topic announced December 1, 2013.

Public Forum Debate is audience friendly debate. You and a partner will debate controversial issues that are "stripped" from the newspaper headlines. A new topic will be announced the first day of each preceding month at www.nflonline.org. A Public Forum Debate round begins with a flip of a coin between the competing teams to determine your side and speaker position. Public Forum will test your skills in argumentation, cross-examination, and refutation. The topic will be the January topic announced December 1, 2013.

This is individual debate in a large group setting. Legislative debaters research and write pieces of Congressional legislation that they feel will better the society in which we live. At a tournament, debaters will then speak on the legislation while using proper parliamentary procedure. Judges score each competitor based on argumentation ability, speaking technique, knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and overall participation. The division will be open with awards given to the top non-advancing designated novices. See the Congressional Debate page for more information.

The following SPEECH events will be offered at the Laird Lewis Invitational:

As an orator you will be expected to research and speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to your audience, about a topic you have chosen. 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. The time limit shall be 10 minutes. However, each contestant is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty.

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. There is no use of physical objects or costume. The time limit shall be 10 minutes. However, each contestant is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty. A cutting must be from a single work of literature: one story, or one play, or one novel or one or more poem(s). Use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.

Humorous Interpretation

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. In Duo Interpretation, focus may be direct during the introduction and the performers may look at each other, but must be indirect [off-stage] during the performance itself. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.

Contestants shall speak on a topic of current interest which will be chosen from three topics drawn thirty minutes before competition. The time limit shall be 7 minutes with a 30 second 'grace period.'

Contestants will perform selections from prose and/or poetry, or combination thereof with thematic purpose. Presentations must be read from a manuscript. The speaker must keep feet on floor and gestures shall be limited to this position (ie. a speaker may bend at the waste BUT may not step to either side). The time limit shall be 10 minutes. However, each contestant is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty

Contestants will deliver a speech of from 3-5 minutes in length on a topic of general interest. Topics may be humorous or serious in nature. The impromptu speech does NOT have to be humorous to be deemed worthy and appropriate. Each speaker will choose from three topics provided by the judge. Prep time is 2 minutes and is conducted separately and prior to speaking time. Contestants can jot down brief notes for reference in their speech, but may not use notes while giving their speech.

Contestants will deliver a radio broadcast of 3 minutes (5 second grace period) on a topic provided by the tournament. No scripts will be provided by the tournament. Students are not seen by the judge and are evaluated solely on what is heard. More information can be found on the Radio Speaking page on the Joy of Tournaments site.

Students in 9^th and 10^th grade may participate in Declamation. In this event, students deliver a speech that has been previously delivered in public. The script must be memorized. Time limit of 10 minutes.

The following SUPPLEMENTAL events will be offered at the Laird Lewis Invitational:

Students will pair up and deliver an improvised performance/skit involving two characters and a situation. The students will draw three topics, choose one, and receive 2 minutes of prep time in which they may communicate quietly with their partner. The time limit of the speech shall be 5 minutes—however, each team is given a 30 second “GRACE PERIOD” without penalty. Students are limited to their imaginations, voices and bodies—no furniture, props or costumes are allowed. Teams my look at each other, interact with each other and not required to present an introduction. Students should USE their prompts and bring the scene to some sort of resolution. Creativity and originality should play a large role in the judge’s decision. A sample topic is provided below:

1. Any student may partner with any other student registered for a main event at the Laird Lewis. Students do not need to be from the same school. Both partners must be eliminated from all main events to participate.

2. There will be three rounds of competition. The resolutions for each round will be provided at registration of the tournament. They will be current and politically-oriented.

3. Teams will flip a coin for sides and speaking order. The team that speaks first has right to first question in all Crossfires.

4. The topic is to be debated literally. Debaters are prohibited from using published materials (dictionaries, magazines, books, etc.), prepared arguments, or other similar resources in the debate. Notes and/or an outline may be used but speakers should present extemporaneously rather than read prewritten speeches. Debaters should signpost, explain/warrant, and impact their arguments, referencing current fact and opinion where appropriate.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPETED IN A PRIMARY EVENT IN ORDER TO COMPETE IN A SUPPLEMENTAL. Students who do not advance in ANY main events may compete in supplemental event. Teams may be combined in any fashion desired, including students from two different schools.

Pre-registration is $5 per student on the Speechwire registration system, late registration is $10 per student on Saturday, Jan 4.

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