In the last article, we analyzed where novices could/should start in Speech and Debate, in general. That included debate, as well as the type of speeches - Platform, Interp, and Limited Prep. Today we are going to look at the specific categories of speeches offered in different leagues, because I often get asked the question, "what speech event should my novice/beginning student do?"
I am sure if you were to ask ten different Speech and Debate Coaches what type of Speech or Debate is good to do for a beginning student, you might get ten different answers. Of course each and every senerio is going to be unique and so here are some of my thoughts when encouraging new students to start Speech and Debate…
Starting and leading a Speech and Debate Club can take a lot of time and energy. Club leaders are amazing! However, many club leaders feel inadequate and unequipped. I have been asked numerous times to show what a sample syllabus of what a random speech club would/could look like. Challenge accepted! So naturally I thought I would use Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 as my guide. Please note- Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 was not written as a curriculum, but because we follow your speech journey, you can see the path I chose to use. Whether you are a new club leader or a leader looking for a fresh new approach on how to combat club this year, here is a possible syllabus using Lasting Impact! Vol. 1 as your main resource….
One of the great challenges in Speech and Debate clubs - especially well-established and growing clubs - is how to make the club time valuable for both ends of the experience spectrum- advanced and beginner students. A new family in the club knows nothing and is feeling overwhelmed and uniformed. They need to know what the events are. They need practice and instruction in basic skills. They need to know what they are aiming for. They want to grow so they can do this speech thing. And let's face it, those kids who have competed a couple of seasons don't want to learn basic skills again. They don't want to have the events explained to them. They don't even want to demonstrate last year's speeches! They want to grow themselves. How do we find the balance here?
Congratulations, you’ve made it through another season of speech and debate. But the next season is looming on the horizon. Yep, that’s right. It’s already time to start this fun, educational, and sleep-depriving adventure all over again. But we aren’t going in empty handed, no we are not. If there was one thing speech and debate has taught me (and taught me the hard way) it’s that time-management can take any big task and turn it into a small one. I want to help you get a kick start on your season by utilizing the very effective skill of...Time Management!
People have asked me- “how did your kids become so successful?” They assume I have a degree in theater, they think my kids are all “naturally gifted”, or they think we just happened to stumble on the perfect piece. The fact of the matter is, my kids put a lot of time into Speech… We all do! Speech is a team effort in my home. Speech and Debate is a year long event.
For all of the benefits of working with a partner, there are some circumstances when partnering is really not the best option. Consider our experience with the following situations:
For some competitors the last Qualifier or Regionals may be their last stop in their "Speech Journey". Other students might have the opportunity to compete at a National Championship. Regardless of when the competition ends... It will end, and the season will be over. Now what? Not everyone can walk away a "champion". In fact, when you think about it- the riding off into the sunset with a first place trophy at Nationals doesn't happen to everyone. But is this why you started this journey in the first place- a big trophy? Were you motivated to learn about a certain subject? Did you have something to share? I challenge you to remember where the journey started and why...Where did your Speech begin? Why did you write it?
Your Speech does not have to stop at your last Qualifier, Regionals, or even Nationals! Was your Speech only made for competition? I doubt it! I bet there are many audiences that would benefit from hearing your Speech!
Let's face it, partnership poses a whole new element when it comes to competitive speech and debate! Some events simply require a partnership as part of the challenge of taking on those events, and my family has been blessed to have been involved in truly amazing partnerships! Our team policy partnership forged a deep and abiding friendship that helped my daughter learn that life is really more about working with others well than anything else. But partnerships are not to be entered into lightly, so there are several things to consider when contemplating a debate partnership:
I’ve said things I didn’t mean before. I’ve spoken carelessly, or hastily, or hurtfully. I’ve let exhaustion numb my mind before my mouth. I’ve used my words to be witty, or funny, or appealing, or in some way to what I perceived was ‘my’ crowd. And…part of the embarrassment and blessing of that is that I’ve also always had people on hand to call me out and redirect that - or people who accepted my apologies - or people who taught me to do more thinking before I spoke.
Lots of people have asked me about the new events for NCFCA and what I think. I think I’m game for almost anything, but here are some of my new reflections after the announcements at Nationals:
I've traveled with groups of teenagers to many an outing, school trip, or competition. One of the most important things I've learned about getting there with some mental margin and physical peace is to lay out a very deliberate approach plan. This is one that worked really well with a special group of six kids I traveled with one year. We set aside the ten days prior to our departure and we were deliberate about performing that day's tasks. Here's what the task list looked like:
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