Juniors Tournament!

Students ages 6-11 are invited to experience speech competition!

Your child is welcome to participate even if your family is not a regular member of the Stoa League. For insurance purposes you must become a member; families with junior members only can register for $35. Click on the link below for details and registration:

http://www.stoausa.org/membership

There will be two rounds held on Saturday, April 20th

Events: Impromptu, Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Expos, Apologetics, Original Oratory, and Persuasive.

Cost: $15 per event.
Each competitor may compete in up to 3 events.

No Script Submission is necessary.

Parents ~ Make sure your child's presentation meets the timeframe and the content is appropriate for an all ages audience.

We will ask available tournament competitors, older siblings, and community members to judge. Parents, we will need you to judge at the main tournament as much as possible.

The rules for these events are described below.

Please contact aimspokane@protonmail.com if you have questions.

Apologetics - a speech prepared on the Attributes of God.
The student will choose 2 topics to prepare speeches on, in advance of the tournament, from posted topics under the Junior Tournament Apologetics tab in the area of Apologetics. Each round the student will present a different topic from their 2 prepared presentations. Families are encouraged to study the material with their juniors to help develop the cards and understand the material. There will be NO prep time AND notes (4x6 cards) may be used during speaking time. This does not need to be memorized.
Time Limit: 4 minutes maximum; no minimum times

"Learning About God from A to Z" by Mary Erickson, is a resource material which makes it fun for the family to study these topics. Please begin this early.

Duo Interpretation – a speech using literature.
This event is for two students. Lines should be shared as equally as possible between partners, who must not touch or look at each other. Please see “Interpretations” below for further explanation.
Time limit: 7 minutes maximum; no minimum time

Exposition (Expos) – a speech on any topic.
The speech must be an original work, scripted word for word by the competitor. Humor and satire are permitted. Props are allowed, but the following are prohibited from use as props: weapons (real, fake, or toy), any bladed instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, live animals, and/or facility/tournament furniture. Any liquids, art supplies/mediums, and/or chemicals must be secured to avoid facility damage. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time. All outside sources must be cited within the speech. Memorization is encouraged but there is not an automatic penalty for using a script.
Time limit: 7 minutes maximum; no minimum time.

Impromptu – a speech prepared spontaneously, using prompts drawn in the room.
The student will blindly draw 3 slips of paper with a topic written on each, and will immediately choose 1 of those topics on which to speak. If needed, a judge may read the three topics to the student. The topics may be read to the student a maximum of three times. The student will then be given 3 minutes to prepare their speech. No outside sources may be brought into the room other than a blank piece of paper and pencil/pen. The student may write notes during “prep-time,” but cannot use them during speaking time.The chosen topic paper may be held and quoted from during the speech but no notes may be written on the chosen topic paper. No visual aids or props may be used. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time.
Time limit: 3 minutes maximum (following 3 minutes prep time); no minimum time.

Interpretation – a speech using literature.
Junior Interpretation provides an unrestricted opportunity for a student to creatively explore and develop the intellectual, emotional, and artistic embodiment of any type of literature he or she chooses. This may include original work, unpublished work by others, or traditional published material. Any genre is acceptable including, but not limited to: prose, poetry, storytelling, historical speeches, historical sermons, and thematic selections. Media transcriptions from movies, TV, or tape recordings are not allowed.
Selections may be humorous and/or dramatic. The title(s) and author(s) of the selection(s) must be introduced. The identification of the piece should be near the beginning of the piece but may follow a teaser or other background information. No props, costumes, audiovisuals, or gratuitous vulgarity will be allowed. Limited singing and dancing is permitted but it must be purposeful and motivated by the literature. All action should generally take place center stage. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time.
Memorization is encouraged but there is not an automatic penalty for using a script.
Time limit: 7 minutes maximum; no minimum time.

Original Oratory – a speech on any topic.
The speech must be an original work, scripted word for word by the competitor. Humor and satire are permitted. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time. Students are permitted to express opinions which are contrary to those of the judge. All outside sources must be cited within the speech.
Memorization is encouraged but there is not an automatic penalty for using a script.
Time limit: 7 minutes maximum; no minimum time.

Persuasive – a speech on any topic.
The speech must be an original work, scripted word for word by the competitor, with the purpose of persuading the judges. Humor and satire are permitted. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time. Students are permitted to express opinions which are contrary to those of the judge. All outside sources must be cited within the speech. Memorization is encouraged but there is not an automatic penalty for using a script.
Time limit: 7 minutes maximum; no minimum time.