Every speech and debate season brings something new. Sometimes it’s an entirely new event!! Other times it’s a rule change, a revised event description, or an updated ballot. For many competitors (and coaches!!), these changes can feel overwhelming at first. Where do you start? How do you know what judges are really looking for? How can you make your speech stand out? Do you sit this season out to let someone else show you what a new even can look like- NO WAY!! Sign up for an inspirational, informational webinare on July 14 (more information below) or read on for some expert tips…
The good news is that learning to navigate new speech categories or events and rules is a skill—and like any skill, it can be developed. Whether you’re a first-year competitor or a seasoned veteran, here are some practical strategies I have used for uncovering the hidden treasures buried within event descriptions and rulebooks.
Step 1: Become a Rule/Definition Detective
Most students make the mistake of reading the rules once and immediately jumping into preparation. Instead, approach the rules like a detective. Read the event description multiple times. Highlight or underline words that seem important. Ask yourself:
- Do any words stand out?
- What is the stated purpose of the event?
- What things seem most important?
- What will a judge want to see through you?
Often, the key to success is hidden in plain sight. For example, if an event description repeatedly uses words like “analysis,” “persuasion,” or “interpretation,” those words reveal what judges are likely evaluating most heavily. Believe me, every word in the rulebook was chosen intentionally. Pay attention.
Step 2: Look for Action Words
Action words tell you what competitors are expected to do. The judges have the ability to read the rules and event description. This is often their guide, as well as the ballot, so be sure to read these things through the lens of your judge.
Watch for words such as:
- Analyze
- Inform
- Persuade
- Interpret
- Advocate
- Demonstrate
- Evaluate
- Compare
- Explain
Each word points toward a different skill set. Ask yourself…
- How can I do this?
- Am I doing this?
- What can I do to make my speech idea/concept stand out?
A speech that merely explains information may struggle in an event that expects analysis. Likewise, a speech full of opinions may miss the mark in an event designed primarily to inform. Understanding the action words helps you align your speech with the event’s true purpose.
Step 3: Ask, “What Does Success Look Like?”
Imagine the perfect performance.
- What would a judge write at the top of the ballot?
- What would make the speech memorable?
- What would distinguish a finalist from the rest of the room?
Rather than focusing solely on what is allowed, focus on what excellence looks like. How you can be the best you, or better yet, the best in the room.
The best competitors don’t merely follow the rules—they maximize the opportunities the rules provide.
Step 4: Separate Requirements from Suggestions
When reading rules, identify the difference between:
- Must
- Shall
- Required
and
- May
- Can
- Encouraged
This distinction is critical. Requirements are non-negotiable. Missing one can result in penalties or disqualification. Suggestions, however, often provide room for creativity and strategic choices. Understanding the difference prevents unnecessary stress and helps competitors focus their energy where it matters most. I tell student all the time- understanding the rules is different from reading the rules.
Step 5: Study the Spirit of the Event
Rules tell you what you can do. The spirit of the event tells you what you should do. When a new event is introduced, ask:
“What problem was this event designed to solve?”
“What skill was the organization hoping to encourage?”
Understanding the purpose behind the event often reveals more than the technical rules themselves. The competitors who grasp the spirit of the event usually create stronger presentations than those who simply follow the rulebook line by line.
Step 6: Don’t Panic About Rule Changes
Rule changes happen for a reason. Sometimes organizations are trying to improve competitive fairness. Sometimes they’re clarifying confusion. Sometimes they’re encouraging new skills. Instead of viewing changes as obstacles, view them as opportunities.
Everyone starts from the same place when a new rule appears. Competitors who embrace the change and begin learning immediately often gain a significant advantage over those who spend months complaining about it. Embrace the change, rather than complain!
Step 7: Ask Better Questions
When encountering a new event, avoid asking:
- “What topic should I do?”
- “What speech should I write?”
Instead ask:
- What skills does this event reward?
- What would judges find compelling?
- What am I PASSIONATE about?
- What opportunities does this event create?
The quality of your questions often determines the quality of your preparation. There is growth behind every speech category! Great skills will happen through each and everyone of them. If you have the capacity for it- try it! You may like it! And you will definately learn something through the process.
Step 8: Be Willing to Experiment
New events require exploration. I can’t tell you how many ideas we tried before they stuck!
- Try different ideas
- Test the ideas
- Experiment with the ideas.
Some ideas will work. Others won’t. That’s okay. Innovation often comes before mastery. The competitors who are willing to learn, adjust, and improve typically experience the greatest growth throughout the season.
The Bigger Picture
One of the greatest benefits of speech and debate is learning how to navigate unfamiliar challenges. New events and changing rules teach students to analyze information, think critically, adapt quickly, and solve problems creatively. Those skills extend far beyond competition. In college, careers, leadership, and life, the people who succeed are often the ones who can take something new, study it carefully, ask good questions, and move forward with confidence. So the next time a new event appears or a rule changes, don’t be intimidated. Grab a highlighter. Put on your detective hat. Start looking for the clues. You may discover that the rulebook or the definition has been giving you the answers all along.
Want to learn more about what Heather Neumann and her expert panel has to say about new speech categories. Sign up for her FREE webinar on July 14 at 7pm CT. This will be recorded. Contact Heather@lastingimpact.info to register.