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FCDI Funvitational

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General information

This information is from a tournament in a past season!

This is a High School tournament in Florida.

View manager contact information

You are cordially invited to the Florida Civics & Debate Initiative “Funvitational,” a totally asynchronous tournament that will conclude Wednesday, May 3, 2023.  The FCDI Funvitational will offer students the opportunity to compete in some unique events.

The FCDI Funvitational offers middle school as well as high school novice and varsity competition. All Florida schools are welcome to compete in this championship.

There will be 2 rounds of competition. Judges will have access to ballots no later than May 2 and are expected to submit results by 7PM EST/6 PM CST Wednesday, May 3.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE Thursday, April 27 AT MIDNIGHT EST/11PM CST. Videos must be submitted by that time!

EVENTS and DIVISIONS: If numbers allow, we will offer separate middle school, novice, and varsity divisions. We reserve the right to combine divisions. If we combine divisions, we will offer Middle School and Novice Champion Awards in addition to the usual awards.

AWARDS: We will email coaches an awards slide deck after the event. Medals will be mailed shortly thereafter.

Speechwire student accounts are required for participation at the FCDI Funvitational. There is a powerpoint with helpful information in the Files for Download tab. Students may also watch this helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQgqptPqNtA

All events are capped at six (6) entries per team. No double-entry allowed.

OUR ASYNCHRONOUS EVENTS INCLUDE:

Pro Con Challenge-Absurd Debate

Students will write a 3-5 minute affirmative case and a 3-5 minute negative case on the following absurd debate topic: Resolved: Children are smarter than adults. They will read both of those speeches within a time limit of 10 minutes and submit it through the recording process.

Congressional Debate Authorship Challenge

Competitors use the two pieces of legislation we have provided (Located in Files for Download Tab) and construct two authorship speeches 3-5 minutes in length. They will read both of those speeches within a time limit of 10 minutes and submit it through the recording process.

Prepared Prompt Speaking-Song Lyrics

In Prepared Prompt Speaking, students select one lyric from the list below, prepare a 5-minute speech related to the line, and submit it through the recording process.

  1. “Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?” -Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi”
  2. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” -Prince, “Let’s Go Crazy”
  3. “Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.”-Green Day, “Good Riddance”
  4. “Who else am I gon' lean on when times get rough? Who's gonna talk to me on the phone 'til the sun comes up? Who's gonna take your place?" -Mariah Carey “We Belong Together”
  5. "Now that it's raining more than ever, know that we'll still have each other. You can stand under my umbrella." -Rihanna, “Umbrella”

Prepared Commentary-Sports

In Prepared Prompt Speaking-Sports, students select one topic from the list below, prepare a 5-minute speech, and submit it through the recording process.

  1. The greatest sports team of all time is…
  2. The most exciting game of all time is…
  3. My favorite athlete is…
  4. The best lesson I learned from sports is…
  5. Sports are important because...

Storytelling

In Storytelling, a single published, printed story, anecdote, tale, myth, or legend must be retold without notes or props. The topic area is "folklore."

-The maximum time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second “grace period. The ranking is up to each individual judge’s discretion. Judges who choose to time are to use accurate (stopwatch function) timing devices. No minimum time is mandated. The delivery must be extempore, not read. No book or script may be used. The story may be delivered standing or seated. Gestures, pantomime and characterization, may be used with restraint but the focus must be on the narrative. The retelling must be true to the original tale. The contestant may not add original material or materially change the content of the story.

Just Talk

The students must speak for a minimum of 4 minutes and a maximum of 6 minutes. They need to Just Talk. Subject matter is their own, but no hate speech. Judging criteria compared to other contestants is absolute judge's discretion (except if the speech is shorter than 3:30 or longer than 6:30, it CAN NOT be ranked first. The students can sing for part of it. Dance for part of it. Read a book, magazine, newspaper, or writing on the wall---They Just Talk!  

SLAM Poetry

1. Each solo poem must be of the poet’s own creation.

2. Memorization is not required or necessary.  The poet may choose to use notes.

4. Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one poem.

5. The poet may not use props, costumes, pre-recorded/taped music, or musical instruments while performing.  It’s just you performing.  BUT you are allowed to sing or beat box or make any other sounds with your body in your performance.

6. The poem’s content should be appropriate. No hate speech.

Instructions on how to upload speech/inter videos can be found on the “Files for Download” page. Videos must be uploaded by MIDNIGHT EST/11PM CST, Thursday, April 27. We will remove entries if no video is uploaded by the due date.

JUDGES: Adults, coaches, and qualified varsities with at least 75 NSDA points may judge. Judges need to be trained. Coaches should share the helpful judge information in the Files for Download tab. It is the affirmative duty of the coach to ensure that all judges (except students) must be approved as volunteers through their district’s volunteer system.

The judge ratio for this tournament is 1 judge per 5 entries.

All judges must register via Speechwire account by MIDNIGHT EST/11PM CST Thursday, April 27. Judges may view this helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJXxeVS-KgM

COACHES: Coaches must be available via phone for the duration of the tournament.

FEES: Please make checks payable to and mail to:

The Florida Debate Initiative

c/o Tara Tedrow

215 N Eola Dr

Orlando, FL 32801

DAY OF TOURNAMENT CONTACT:

David Fechtel: 813-295-4079

Manager contact information

David Fechtel
Email address: David.Fechtel1@fldoe.org
Phone number: 813-295-4079

Mailing address

Florida Debate Initiative
Attn: Tara Tedrow 215 N Eola Dr
Orlando, FL 32801

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