How well do you know the rules? When you see a speed limit sign that states 25 mph- does that mean you need to start driving 25 mph before or after you reach the sign? I think speech rules are often read, but I wonder how many students are actually understanding them. Today I am going to break down a couple of my favorite NCFCA Interp Rules... (Of course this is only my interpretation)...
Just how important is humor? Well, I bet you can’t get through a single day without at least encountering a small dose of it. YouTubers are making a living on it. Meme developers monopolize its powers. People of both sides of the political spectrum have furiously tried to relieve the growing stress of this year’s election by using humor as an emotional outlet. Health advocates tout the importance of laughter, and…you know it, I know it….everyone knows it….we are drawn to funny people.
There have been many benefits since my family got on the wild ride of Speech and Debate. One of those benefits I would like to call The Art of Visualization. I think most of our family has the ability to some degree. “What is it?” you might ask… The Art of Visualization is being able to watch or read something and be able to picture it as a Speech. I ask the students that I coach if they can visualize themselves in a speech. Can they visualize a story, movie, book, etc. as a speech? Let me help you visualize what I’m talking about…
It's that time in the "pre-season", where some students are starting to feel panicked. "I haven't found my epic piece!" "My research is going no where!" "I hate my topic already!" Or my favorite, "We were supposed to have a piece picked by now?!" I know Practice Tournaments are starting... But take a deep breath... You still have time- plenty of time!
I definitely encourage everyone to try an illustrated oratory/expository at least once in your competitive speech career because it’s different from a typical platform speech in a way that I think is particularly relevant to today’s visual culture. IO requires a speaker to capture ideas in easily absorbed images and simple, physical manipulations. These are presented on several 20 x 30 inch foam boards made visible with an easel. So, IO also requires a degree of choreography around the easel. In order to develop those visual aids and get in the extra practice on physical delivery, IO requires a totally different timeline to pull together for competition.
I am always amazed every year when I talk to a speech camp or club about goals. It’s strange to me to think that so many students are in speech competitions without goals! For me, creating a goal is one of the first steps toward the path of success….
The simple definition of goal from Merriam Webster is- something that you are trying to do or achieve. However, I think most students need to start with setting a goal. The definition of goal setting according to mindtools.com is “a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve, and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it.”
How is one supposed to know what they want to achieve with out thinking about it and making a plan? If my goal is to make it to The National Championship, but I don’t plan on putting much time into my speech… How is that going to work? Or worse, I want to go to Regionals, but I haven’t told my parents and they are planning a vacation that weekend. Goal setting will help you in the long run create those tasks that need to get done in order to achieve the grand prize.
So why do I think goal setting is so important? Reasons to create goals…
1. Creating a goal allows you to be the best you possible.
Sometimes I find kids go into “I don’t care” mode. This is usually a coping-mechanism. Students feel like if they don’t put forth effort, it won’t matter as much- if they don’t do well. However, by creating goals they own what they are doing. They become accountable to their dreams.
APPLICATION- Try choosing a goal to stretch yourself. By getting out of your comfort zone, you will grow, and potentially become better. Don’t stay safe!
2. Making a goal keeps you focused.
By creating goals you are more likely to keep your eye on the prize. Imagine being a soccer player with out a soccer goal, a basketball player without a hoop? Speech should have similar goals. The goal to break or advance to Regionals or Nationals will drive you, because you will continue to strive toward that goal. By setting goals it allows you to stay focused and gives you a target to shoot for.
3. Sharing your goals keeps you accountable.
Goals are meant to be shared. So many kids I coach don’t tell their parents or peers their goals! What?! Who is going to keep you accountable? If I really don’t want to eat that last piece of chocolate cake, the more family members I tell, the more likely they will help me not eat the cake! Your support system (mainly your parents) want to help you succeed. Be sure to include them on the path. Whether the path leads to success or not, it is always nice to have someone cheering you on, or waiting to give you that hug!!
4. Goal setting keeps you motivated.
Having goals gives you something to focus your energy, your mind, and your emotions on. Setting goals gives students the drive sometimes they will need when things don’t go their way. Having something to strive toward can be just the motivation to make sure what needs to be done.
5. Goals keep you on track.
When you measure your goals progress, you don’t have to start with ultimate goals. You can create small goals to keep you on track. Early in the season you can create target dates and experience the excitement of achievement with each mini goal that will propel you to reach your larger goals.
Why should you or your student participate in Speech and/or Debate? Every year I love to ask my students at club or at a camp this question. After I get some of the typical responses out of the way, “my mom made me, so I can debate my siblings better, etc.”, we arrive to some pretty fabulous answers.
Public speaking is a very common fear. In fact, most of us who participate in Speech and Debate realize that statistics show the majority people would rather be dead in the coffin, than giving the eulogy! Speech anxiety can lead individuals to feel helpless as well as incapable of communicating with others. One of the best ways to overcome glossophobia is to develop confidence, which only comes through practice. By participating in Speech and Debate, a speaker will have the ability to learn a wide range of different speaking events, ranging from interpretation speeches to persuasion and impromptu speaking.
Below are some of the reasons my students and I have come up with why they should participate in Speech and Debate….
1. Self Confidence
As long as we are alive we are going to continue to communicate. Learning to speak clearly and effectively will benefit us for years to come. The experience one will gain by standing up in front of an audience with professionalism and poise will help to enhance their self confidence. Self confidence is a huge factor for life. Almost all professions have some level of communication, learning the art of communication will only propel you further faster, because you will learn to become more confident.
2. Organization
In order to give a prepared speech, you need to prepare! Learning to get your thoughts and materials all organized and ready for presentation is a big feat! Preparing effective speeches involves reading through research, and writing effectively.
3. Practice makes Perfect
Very rarely does a person write a masterpiece on their first try. By participating in a Speech and Debate League you will write and rewrite, you will give a speech over and over again. You’ll learn to become conscious of timing – when to pause and how long for. You’ll learn about vocal variety – how to shift through changes of volume, speech rate and tone. Your articulation will be become clearer. You are practicing to become an excellent communicator, not just for a tournament or for a first place… For life.
4. Power
By standing up and speaking, you have an amazing sense of power! You have the ability to speak in a way that will change peoples minds. If you’re able to master the skill- you can change minds AND hearts. By finding your power, whether it’s within you, or in your message, you will be honing one of the major aspects of leadership.
5. Being able to think on your feet
Not every situation allows you the time to prepare or process an answer. Limit Prep Speech Categories, as well as Debate pushes students to think on their feet. Being able to quickly establish well thought-up arguments and ideas are qualities that are vital in being a well-rounded communicator.
If these reasons don’t compel you, listen to a past competitor… Erwin Zhu, a University of California Berkeley, Business major, states, “When I look back on high school, the most rewarding and meaningful organization I joined was the Speech and Debate Team. Not only did it allow me to step outside my normal social and academic bubble, it allowed me to become more knowledgeable as well as proficient in public speaking and communication. Many students today still hold an inherent bias towards activities focused on public speaking and argumentation. What’s important to understand is that these activities are not limited to a singular message, but focus on the development of a set of skills – Speech and Debate help you develop your own unique voice, one that can be amplified in whatever career path you choose to pursue. In a world becoming more digitalized and reclusive, it remains important to remember the power of verbal communication of ideas from one individual to another.”
If you have reasons why you think it’s important to participate in Speech and Debate… Please feel free to write in the comment box below!
You picked your piece and really thought about why you wanted it. You’ve made a list of all the parts you want to keep. Perhaps you already know that you have too much to keep all of it. Now….what should you eliminate when you are cutting it?
Every work of literature is made up of five literary elements. You may have had an English teacher that made you study these ad nauseam! (I may have been that English teacher!) But these five mechanisms make any story work. They affect the reader or audience in specific ways. They are manipulated by the author to specific purpose. Understanding what they are and how they work helps you make a good cut for your interp.
Spending some quality time researching and thinking about what you want to speak about is a pretty great idea. It's an important decision on your "Platform Journey". I actually keep an on-going list of ideas (and I'm not even a competitor). You should too! With phones that take notes and access to computers, jotting down a few ideas that you can explore when your ready to dive in, is pretty easy. This list doesn't start when the speech season starts... It's on-going.
There are so many fascinating subjects, people, events, etc. I honestly don't know if I was competing, if I would ever be able to choose?
In 2015, the NCFCA introduced a new Speech category- Biblical Presentation. Having coached several qualifying National BP's, including the first place National Champion. I analyzed the Biblical Presentation category and saw this as an exciting opportunity for competitors to learn a new interpretation skill. Here is how we tackled the learning curve of this new speech...
By: Heather Neumann
Every year I can't wait to see what partnerships God will bring together! Duos can bring a lot of joy to one's heart, however sometimes it can bring frustration and disappointment. As a duo- you are a team. And if you are not siblings- your team includes your duo partner’s family.
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