GGSA

 

HOME
What is Forensics?
About the GGSA
Tournament Calendar
Judges Guide
Why Start a Forensics Team?
Contact the GGSA

Forensics, also known as speech and debate, is comprised of several categories of competitive events, which are designed to better high school students' argumentation, speaking style and performance abilities. Tournaments are held throughout the school year, during which students typically focus on the same areas throughout the year in order to continue improving their skills.

Below you will find a general outline of the various areas of competition. Some events are offered nationwide, while others are specific to California; those events that are solely statewide events are italicized.

  • Personal Commentary
  • Interpretation of Literature
  • Original Composition
  • Argumentation

    PERSONAL COMMENTARY
    Foreign Extemp National Extemp Impromptu
    Time 7 minute maximum; 30 minutes prior prep time 7 minute maximum; 30 minutes prior prep time 5 minute maximum; 2 minutes prior prep time
    Subject Taken from previous 8 weeks of coverage in Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report Taken from previous 8 weeks of coverage in Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report Round 1: quotations
    Round 2: general questions
    Round 3: single-word abstracts
    Research General reading of 3 primary source magazines; additional particular reading/filing in Christian Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal, National Review, Economist, etc General reading of 3 primary source magazines; additional particular reading/filing in Christian Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal, National Review, Economist,etc General reading in a wide variety of sources; vocabulary building; daily conversations & class discussions
    Delivery Memorized outline; conversational, not "preachy" Memorized outline; conversational, not "preachy" Memorized outline; conversational, not "preachy"
    Topic Selection Choice from 3 topics prepared by tournament host; files/magazines allowed in extemp prep room only Choice from 3 topics prepared by tournament host; files/magazines allowed in extemp prep room only Judge presents topics in competition room; no research material allowed

    INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE
    Dramatic Interp Humorous Interp Duo Interp Thematic Interp Oratorical Interp
    Time 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum
    Subject Cutting from a single work; serious Cutting from a single work; humorous Cutting from a single work; serious or humorous or both Cuttings from at least 3 works; based in particular theme Speech given by a real person
    Delivery Memorized; no props, make-ups, costumes Memorized; no props, make-ups, costumes Memorized; no props, make-ups, costumes May be read; must have manuscript; no props, make-ups, costumes Memorized; no props, make-ups, costumes
    Topic Selection Monologue or multiple characters; should be in good taste Monologue or multiple characters; should be in good taste Multiple characters (single character allowed); presentation balanced between partners should be in good taste Monologue or multiple characters; should be in good taste Formal public oration

    ORIGINAL COMPOSITION
    Oratory Advocacy Expository Prose/Poetry
    Time 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum 10 minute maximum; no minimum
    Purpose Persuasive, but no solution needs to be offered Persuasive, but solution must be offered Informative Creative
    Subject Usually philosophical; personal reflections/opinions on a controversial topic; alert the audience to a particular situation; strengthen devotion to a cause; eulogize a person Practical; suggests governmental remedy to a problem either through creating a law, removing a law, or changing a law Describes, clarifies, illustrates, or defines an object, idea, concept, or process Short story, essay, monologue, or play; poetry; or combination of any; may be humorous or dramatic or both
    Research Supportive statements from authority; factual evidence and statistics; no more than 150 quoted words; paraphrases allowed if cited Supportive statements from authority; factual evidence and statistics; no more than 150 quoted words; paraphrases allowed if cited Visual aids allowed but not required; supportive statements from authority; factual evidence and statistics; no more than 150 quoted words; paraphrases allowed if cited
    Delivery Memorized Memorized Memorized Memorized
    Topic Selection Should be current, but not overdone; must be of personal interest, easily researched, and in good taste Should be current, but not overdone; must be of personal interest, easily researched, and in good taste Must be in good taste Must be in good taste

    ARGUMENTATION
    Team Debate Lincoln-Douglas Parliamentary Debate Congress Debate
    Format Two teams of two persons each: one team affirms the proposition; one team negates the proposition One person affirms the proposition; one person negates the proposition Two teams of two persons each: one team affirms the proposition; one team negates the proposition A type of group discussion in which participants choose either to affirm or negate a proposition
    Time 90 minutes divided among speakers from two teams; maximum length of a speech = 7 minutes; preparation time provided 45 minutes divided between two speakers; maximum length of a speech = 7 minutes; preparation time provided Approximately 60 minutes divided among speakers from two teams; maximum length of a speech = 7 minutes; preparation time provided 90 minute session: individual speeches have a maximum length of 3 minutes plus 1 minute of cross-examination
    Subject Determined by National Forensic League; based on an question of national or international policy Determined by National Forensic League; changes approximately once each semester; based on a question of philosophical value Determined by local tournament; three types of proposition: statements of fact, questions of philosophical value; questions of policy Determined by local tournament; usually a question of national or international policy
    Research Specific reading in both primary and secondary sources General reading in both primary and secondary sources; general knowledge General reading in both primary and secondary sources; general knowledge Specific reading in both primary and secondary sources
    Delivery Use of notes is allowed; conversational, not confrontational Use of notes is allowed; conversational, not confrontational Use of notes is allowed; conversational, not confrontational; wit is encouraged Use of notes is allowed; conversational, not confrontational