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Tournament

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Tournament Schedule

Students may enter one debate event and two events in Section A. Students not entered in Debate may enter two events in Section A and two events in Section B. Students entered in Debate may not enter events in Section B.

Schools are limited to 45 entries with no more than 6 entries in any one event.

Event Flights

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Friday, June 29, 2007

Saturday, June 30, 2007

{Quarterfinals will only be held for events with more than 60 entries}

Sunday, July 2, 2006

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Fees

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School Registration Fee

$125 - Registration fees include all applicable IDEA and NJFL annual organization membership fees for 2007/2008 school year. In the future, all schools wishing to participate in the national tournament must be members in good standing in order to register for the national tournament.

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Event Entry Fees

$30 per student for up to two events, $20 for each subsequent event per student. Student event entry fees also include lifetime memberships in IDEA and the NFL.

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Judging Fees

The tournament host, Brentwood Middle School, plans to recruit and train a number of volunteer judges to help defray the costs of judging and make the tournament more affordable for participating schools.

On a "first come/first served" basis, schools will be provided one volunteer judge free of charge to help cover their judging obligations. Schools are not guaranteed a volunteer judge, but judges will be provided, in order of registration, to as many schools as possible.

Judging obligations will be determined based upon the following criteria:

• One judge for every four speech entries.
• One judge for every two debate teams, or every three LD competitors.
• IDEA cannot guarantee judging assignments until such a time as the Tournament Director can reasonably determine the number of judges required.
• Coaches are allowed, but not required, to fulfill their schools judging obligations.
• All judges will be required to sign and abide by the terms of the IDEA Judge Mission Agreement.
• Students must have graduated high school to be eligible to judge.

Participating schools must provide sufficient judges to cover their judging obligation or pay $125 per judge required to meet the school’s judging obligation as described above.

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Hired Judges

IDEA will pay $8 per round for hired judges. Judges must fill out I-9 forms and present tax-payer identification.

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School of Excellence Awards

The IDEA/National Junior Forensic League National Tournament does not have a sweepstakes award. Instead, the Tournament makes use of a School of Excellence Award. The formula for determining School of Excellence Awards is as follows.

Only those competitors reaching elimination rounds will count towards School of Excellence Awards.

• Individual Events : An individual event entry will receive one point for reaching the quarterfinals (if applicable), one point for reaching the semifinals, and one point for reaching the finals.
• Debate : A debate entry will receive one point for reaching the octofinals (if applicable), one point for reaching the quarterfinals, one point for reaching the semifinals, and one point for reaching the finals.

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School of Excellence Awards

• Debate School of Excellence Awards will be given to schools that receive 8 points in debate competition.
• Individual Events School of Excellence Awards will be given to schools that receive 10 points in individual events competition.
• Overall School of Excellence Awards will be given to schools that receive a minimum of 6 points in debate competition and 8 points in individual events competitions.

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Events and Rules

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General Information and Rules

• What is the role of the MSFL in the tournament?
  • Advise IDEA and NFL on policies and procedures that will overcome shortcomings of past tournaments to establish a respectable and consistent annual event.
  • One MSFL member will serve on the three member Tournament Committee (which also includes one person from IDEA and the NFL) that will be responsible for making final decisions on matters not solved through the ombudsman office at the tournament.

• How have the rules been determined?
  • Rules were decided by IDEA in consultation with NFL and other relevant forensics organizations.
  • Rules were based upon existing NFL and IDEA rules and standards, but have been modified in some cases to more appropriately suit the middle school competitor.
  • The rules published in this handbook are the final rules and this handbook should be used by competitors and coaches in preparation for the tournament.

• Which events will be offered?
  • The tournament shall consist of main event contests in Public Forum Debate, Policy Debate, Parliamentary Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation and Duo Interpretation.

• Is there a minimum/maximum number of participants?
  • The minimum number of participants per event is 18. If fewer than 18 participants sign up for a particular event, the event will either be cancelled, or in the case of Dramatic Interpretation/Humorous Interpretation and Poetry/Prose the events will be collapsed into a combined event. There is no maximum number of participants.

• Who will be responsible for paying for judges, awards, food etc?
  • IDEA will collect all registration fees and cash sponsorship contributions and IDEA will be responsible for paying for all costs associated with the tournament such as judges’ fees, awards, etc.
  • The tournament host will arrange and IDEA will pay for a reasonable amount of food and beverages for the judges, tab room etc.
  • The tournament host is responsible for arranging for food and beverages sales to event participants at reasonable rates. Food sales can be a revenue generating activity for the tournament host.

• Who will manage the tab room and run the tournament?
  • The tab room will be managed by IDEA and the NFL
  • IDEA and NFL will appoint a tournament director

• Who will the ombudsman be?
  • IDEA and the NFL will assign an ombudsman
  • The role of the ombudsman will be to investigate and adjudicate protests of alleged violations of tournament rules and standards.
  • Protests must be presented by a school’s designated adult or “coach of record” – student complaints and protests will not be acknowledged.
  • Protests must be presented in writing in a timely manner and include:
    • The Complaint
    • Identification of the judge and school affiliation
    • A signature of the coach presenting the complaint
    • Details of the event violation including: Event, Round Number, Section, Room Number, Student Contestant Code and the Time of the alleged infraction.

• When there is disagreement with the ombudsman’s decisions regarding protests, a three person committee representing IDEA, NFL, and MSFL will make the final ruling on the protest.

• How many awards will be awarded?
  • Individual events: 16 semifinalists, 8 finalists
  • Debate: 8 quarterfinalists, 4 semifinalists, 2 finalists
  • Schools of Excellence: All schools meeting the Schools of Excellence criteria will receive an award.

• How will schools register for the tournament?
  • Schools can download an application form on IDebate or request an application from Aaron Fishbone.
  • Completed registration forms should be emailed as attachments to Aaron Fishbone.
  • Payments can be made by credit card or checks.

• Will there be a limit on the number of spectators in a room?
  • The tournament will limit the number of spectators per room in accordance with fire safety codes and the maximum capacity assigned to each room.

• Are their supervision requirements?
  • Each student at the National Tournament shall be under the immediate supervision of an adult who may be his/her speech coach, parent, or other adult approved by the school principal. Coaches with entries from their school may not also supervise students from another school district, without written permission of both district superintendents.
  • Students are not allowed to enter competition rooms without judges being present. Students are required to wait outside the room until judge(s) arrive.

• What constitutes a forfeit?
  • A contestant who does not appear at the scheduled time to speak shall be marked last. A debate team more than 15 minutes late shall forfeit the decision. The ombudsman may waive these penalties for valid reasons.

• What happens if a student competes in the wrong section?
  • If a student/team competes in the wrong contest section or against the wrong opponent, at no fault of their opponent or the tournament officials, that student/team will automatically receive last or will receive a loss for that particular round.

• How many Judges in the Round?
  • Preliminary debates and contests shall be judged by one judge; elimination rounds including semi-finals and finals shall be judged by a minimum of three judges

• How can Protests be lodged and how are they adjudicated?
  • See rule number 7-8 regarding the role of the Ombudsman. The Tournament will provide a form in the Main Room on which all protests must be filed. These protests will be reviewed first by the ombudsman and, in the event that a decision is not possible or the decision is challenged, the protest will be forwarded to the three person protest panel.
  • The Protest Panel’s decision shall be final.

• What happens if a student/team is disqualified?
  • In case of a disqualification of a contestant in the national tournament, all previous ranks and decisions of other contestants stand and no revision of past round ranks will take place.

• What are the rules about Electronic Retrieval Systems?
  • The use by contestants of any electronic retrieval system (recording or information retrieval system) now known or to be invented is prohibited during any rounds at the National Tournament. Electric or electronic devices may be used for the sole purpose of keeping time. Judges may use a computer to take notes while judging during competition at the District and/or National Tournaments. Materials printed from “on line” services are permitted in debates and the extemp prep room. Electronically retrieved evidence used in any IDEA contest must conform to the citation standard of the Modern Language Association.

• Collapsing Interpretation Events: If there are fewer than 18 students entered in an Oral Interpretation of Literature event, the Tournament Director may decide to collapse related events together. Collapsible Events are:
  • Prose Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation
  • Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation

• Canceling Events
  • In the case of an individual event or debate event with insufficient entries for a reasonable competition, the Tournament Director may decide to cancel that event. The minimum number of individual events contestants or debate teams required will be 18.

• Will individual events scoring be cumulative?
  • No. Competitors scores in preliminary rounds will not carry into the out rounds.

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General Debate Rules

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Debate Topics

The Policy Debate topic shall be the 2006/2007 high school NFL Policy Topic. The L/D question shall be the current high school NFL National Tournament L/D Topic. The Public Forum topic will be the current high school NFL National Tournament Public Forum topic. All topics for Policy, L/D and Public Forum debate are announced on the NFL website. Please check the NFL website to locate debate topics prior to the tournament.

Parliamentary Debate Topics will be created by a three person committee agreed upon by NFL and IDEA that will have at least one member representing each organization. Topics for Parliamentary that will be announced in advance of the competition, will be announced 3 weeks in advance of the tournament at IDebate.

The remaining Parliamentary Debate topics will be announced at the National tournament, 35 minutes in advance of the round. For those rounds debating the previously announced topics, the preparation time will be limited to 20 minutes. For debates held using extemporaneous topics, preparation time will be limited to 30 minutes.

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Teams

A Policy or Public Forum Debate team consists of two students debating both sides of the question. L/D requires one student debating both sides. Parliamentary Debate requires teams of three students. No substitutions are permitted within any team once competition has begun.

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Prompting Philosophy

Oral prompting, except time signals, either by the speaker’s colleague or by any other person while the debater has the floor, is discouraged, though not prohibited, and may be penalized by some judges. Debaters may, however, refer to their notes and materials and may consult with their teammate while they do not have the floor or during Public Forum Grand Crossfire.

Specific guidelines for Points of Information and Heckling are provided in the specific rules for Debate Formats later in this document.

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Reading Case and/or Plan

A team may decide, when asked by the opponent team for a copy of their case and/or plan, whether or not to provide it; if the team refuses, they shall not be penalized in anyway.

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Conflicts

Contestants in any Debate event who are about to be judged by someone who has taught them at any time must report that fact immediately to the ombudsman. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

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Debate Evidence Rules

• Responsibilities of teams reading evidence
  • The team is responsible for the validity of all evidence they read in the debate.
  • In all rounds of LD and Public Forum Debate, debaters should, at a minimum, orally deliver title of the source and the author’s name. In Policy Debate, all debaters shall orally deliver the name of the author title of source (E.G. title of book, not chapter; title of journal, not article), and complete date.
  • In all rounds of debate, complete citations for each piece of evidence introduced in the round must be available in the round. Written citations must include name of the author, qualifications, complete title of source (E.G. title of book, not chapter; title of journal, not article), and complete date. Online sources must also include the title of the site, database, or access point, the date accessed, and the web address. The additional citation required for online sources must appear on all evidence, but is not required to be read. Should two or more quotations be used from the same source, the author and title need be given orally only for the first piece of evidence from that source. In the subsequent oral citation, only the author’s name is required.
  • No internal ellipsis (Ellipses occur after the first word of the quotation and before the final word) may be used in evidence cited on a card, or ellipses may be shown on cards, if the original source or a Xerox copy is present. The evidence may be read in ellipsed form, but the entirety of the evidence must be available in one of the two ways previously cited.
  • Personal letters or telegrams shall not be admissible as evidence.
    • Responsibilities of teams challenging evidence
      • Indictments or protests of the validity of evidence must be made on substantive grounds.
      • A challenger must have either the original source or a Xeroxed copy of the source being cited, or
      • A challenger must demonstrate that reasonable search has not been able to locate the source – Xeroxed copies of relevant pages in Books in Print, Readers Guide, P.A.I.S., etc.
  • Definitions of Non-existent evidence or evidence which seriously distorts the intention of the original source.
    • "Serious Distortion" exists when the evidence itself contains added or deleted word(s) which do not clarify but in fact change the position of the author with respect to the issues in question.
    • "Non-existent evidence" means that
      • Reasonable search is unable to produce the original source and/or the team reading the evidence is unable to provide the original source or a Xerox copy of the relevant pages.
      • The evidence cited is not located in the original source cited.
      • Typographical errors in citation will not automatically result in the evidence being labeled non-existent, if the team reading the evidence can produce the correct information.

• Procedures for initiating and reviewing protest of evidence.
  • Initiating and reviewing protests
    • Any official protest on the validity of evidence citing specific violations must be presented in writing to the Tournament Director, the school being challenged, and the tournament ombudsman immediately following the round in which the contested evidence was used and prior to the beginning of the next round of debate.
    • The Tournament Director shall rule on the protest no later than 7 days of its receipt.
  • Appeals
    • Appeals of the Tournament Director’s decision shall be made in writing within 5 days to the Tournament Protest Panel. The Protest Panel shall use whatever means necessary in making the final decision on the dispute.
  • Penalties
    • Evidence lacking specified citation and challenged by the opposition shall be disregarded by the judge unless said citation is proffered immediately in the subsequent speech. At the conclusion of a challenge related to the oral presentation of or in round availability of a citation, the judge is the sole determiner of the level of penalty in the round in relationship to the level of the violation, not to exceed a maximum penalty of a loss with zero points, as part of the judge’s decision making process.
    • If an evidence violation is presented where a debater is found to have committed a “serious distortion” or to have used “non-existent evidence,” at the conclusion of due process, the offending debater(s) may be disqualified from the tournament.
    • Depending on the severity, an offense MAY result in notification of said offense to their school administration, loss of all tournament award, including trophy and School of Excellent participation points for the offending student(s), and/or revocation of membership.
  • Tournament Adjustments
    • Under no circumstance shall a tournament or part of a tournament be re-run because of a violation of these rules.
    • In the case of a disqualification of a contestant, all previous ranks and decisions of other contestants stand and no revision of past round ranks will take place.

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Debate Pairing Instructions

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Preliminary Rounds

• A minimum of five preliminary rounds will be scheduled in each tournament.
• The following constraints should be obeyed in scheduling rounds:
  • Sides will be randomly assigned and side constraints will operate in odd numbered rounds. In even numbered rounds teams will be assigned to the side of the resolution opposite from the side assigned in the previous round. In odd numbered rounds, teams may be assigned either side. ** Teams will be constrained from meeting teams from their school or club.
  • In all rounds of Public Forum Debate, teams will do a coin toss to determine sides and speaker position.
• The following methods should be employed in pairing:
  • Rounds 1 and 2 will be paired randomly, meaning that with the exception of the previous restraints, any team has an equal chance of meeting any other team.
  • All rounds after the 2nd will be paired using a high-low within brackets method of power pairing.

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Scheduling Elimination Rounds

• The number of entries will determine if the number of teams that will break to elimination rounds: the top 8 teams for quarterfinals, the top 16 for octofinals, etc.
• No team constraints apply in elimination rounds.
• The following methods should be employed in scheduling elimination rounds:
  • The first elimination round is paired so that the highest ranked team meets the lowest ranked team. For instance, in quarterfinals, team one meets team eight, team two meets team seven, team three meets team six, and team four meets team five.
  • After the first elimination round, the bracket is not reset. For instance, should team eight defeat team one, team eight assumes team one’s place in the bracket.

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Scheduling Judges

• No coach will be assigned to judge his or her own school or club.
• Judges and teams must specify conflicts of interest that will also be used as constraints.

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Criteria for Ranking Teams and Speakers

• Criteria for Ranking Teams in Eliminations Rounds - Teams will be ranked using criteria in the following order:
  • 1. Number of wins
  • 2. Adjusted speaker points with the highest and the lowest single-ballot points dropped
  • 3. Total speaker points
  • 4. Opposition win-loss record
  • 5. Double adjusted points with the second highest and the second lowest points single-ballot points dropped
  • 6. Continued adjustments with dropping additional high and low scores
  • 7. In the event of an unbreakable tie, the ranking will be decided by the toss of a coin

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Pairing Individual Events Preliminary Rounds

Each contestant is guaranteed three randomly sectioned preliminary rounds.

• If possible, no student should be placed in a section with another student from his or her same school.
• Each student should meet a variety of opposition in each round.
• Each student should be assigned a variety of speaker positions in preliminary rounds.

If students are cross-entered, they should receive a low speaker position in one event and a high speaker position in the other event.

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Pairing Individual Events Elimination Rounds

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Quarterfinals

If more than sixty contestants enter an event, a quarterfinal round will be held.

Determining the Quarterfinalists:

If quarterfinals are needed, after the third preliminary round, each individual event will be reduced to the top 24 contestants on the basis of low cumulative ranks in the three preliminary rounds. If ties in cumulative ranks bring the number of contestants to over 24, the ties will be broken using the following system.

• Priority will be given to the student with the highest number of speaker points.
• If ties cannot be broken by this method, priority will be given to the student with the greatest number of firsts, then seconds, then thirds, etc.
• If ties cannot be broken by either method, those tied shall be included in the quarterfinal round.

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Semifinal Round

Determining the Semifinalists:

After the third preliminary round, each individual event will be reduced to the top 16 contestants (4 from each Quarterfinal round) on the basis of low cumulative ranks in the three preliminary rounds. If ties in cumulative ranks bring the number of contestants to over 16, the ties will be broken using the following system.

• Priority will be given to the student with the highest number of speaker points.
• If ties cannot be broken by this method, priority will be given to the student with the greatest number of firsts, then seconds, then thirds, etc.
• If ties cannot be broken by either method, those tied shall be included in the semifinal round.

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Final Round

Determining the Finalists:

After the semifinals, the top 8 contestants (4 from each semifinal section) will compete in the final round. This determination should be made on the basis of low cumulative ranks in the semifinals only. Ties will be broken using the following system.

• Priority will be given to the student with the highest number of speaker points.
• If ties cannot be broken by this method, priority will be given to the student with the greatest number of firsts, then seconds, then thirds, etc.
• If ties cannot be broken by either method, those tied shall be included in the final round.

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Debate Rules

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Public Forum Debate Rules

Public Forum Debate is a team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the resolution. A central tenet of the debate is that the clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the non-specialist or “citizen judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury.

The debate should:

• display solid logic, reasoning, and analysis
• utilize evidence but not be driven by it
• present a clash of ideas
• counter the arguments of the opponents (rebuttal)
• communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum

Public Forum is a unique debate form. While Policy Debate focuses on a plan to solve the problem(s) posed by the resolution, and Lincoln Douglas Debate focuses on the core value of the resolution, Public Forum Debate focuses on advocacy of a position derived from issues presented in the resolution, not a prescribed set of burdens.

In Public Forum Debate, a plan or counter plan is defined as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. Neither the pro or con side is permitted to offer a plan or counter plan; rather, they should offer reasoning to support a position of advocacy. Debaters may offer generalized, practical solutions.

New arguments in the “final focus” should be ignored. The “final focus” must be based on argument and issues previously addressed in the debate.

Logical reasoning, maturity of thought, and effectiveness of communication are of primary consideration. Evidence, examples, and analogies are to be used for the purpose of illustration.

In making a decision, a judge should be as objective as possible. Remember these are propositions upon which they may have strong feelings of which the debaters are unaware. Judges should adjudicate the round as it is debated, not as they personally feel.

Format of the Debate

Public forum debate teams consist of two speakers; no substitution is permitted during the tournament.

The Public Forum Debate topic will be the same topic used at the National Forensic League National Tournament in June of 2007. It will appear on NFL Online on May 15, 2007.

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Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rules

Lincoln-Douglas Debate concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. A value is an ideal held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. Debaters are encouraged to develop argumentation based upon a values perspective. To that end, no plan (or counter plan) will be offered by the debaters.

In Lincoln Douglas Debate, a plan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. Neither the affirmative nor negative side is permitted to offer a plan; rather, they should offer reasoning to support a general principle. Debaters may offer generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general principle could guide decisions.

The hallmarks of Lincoln Douglas debate include:

• Parallel Burdens
• Value Structure
• Argumentation
• Cross Examination
• Effective Delivery

Parallel Burdens

No question of values can be determined entirely true or false. This is why the resolution is debatable. Therefore neither debater should be held to a standard of absolute proof. No debater can realistically be expected to prove complete validity or invalidity of the resolution. The better debater is the one who, on the whole, proves his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle

• Burden of proof: Each debater has the equal burden to prove the validity of his/her side of the resolution as a general principle. As an LD resolution is a statement of value, there is no presumption for either side.
• Burden of clash: Each debater has an equal burden to clash with his/her opponent’s position. After a case is presented, neither debater should be rewarded for presenting a speech completely unrelated to the arguments of his/her opponent.
• Resolutional burden: The debaters are equally obligated to focus the debate on the central questions of the resolution, not whether the resolution itself is worthy of debate. Because the affirmative must uphold the resolution, the negative must also argue the resolution as presented.

Value Structure

The value structure (or framework) is established by the debater to serve two functions: a) to provide an interpretation of the central focus of the resolution, and b) to provide a method for the judge to evaluate the central questions of the resolution. The value structure often consists of a statement of the resolution (if affirming), definitions (dictionary or contextual), the value premise (or core value), and the value criterion (or standard). This structure is commonly but not always employed.

Definitions: The affirmative should offer definitions, be they dictionary or contextual, that provides a reasonable ground for debate. The negative has the option to challenge these definitions and to offer counter-definitions.

Value Premise/Core Value: A value is an ideal held by individuals, societies, governments, etc. that serves as the highest goal to be protected, respected, maximized, advanced, or achieved. In general, the debater will establish a value, which focuses the central questions of the resolution and will serve as a foundation for argumentation.

Value Criterion/Standard: In general, each debater will present a value criterion (a standard), which the debater will use to:

• explain how the value should be protected, respected, maximized, advanced, or achieved.
• measure whether a given side or argument protects, respects, maximizes, advances, or achieves the value.
• evaluate the relevance and importance of an argument in the context of the round.

The relationship between the value premise and the criterion should be clearly articulated.

During the debate, the debaters may argue the validity or priority of the two value structures. They may accept their opponent’s value structure, prove the superiority of their own value structure, or synthesize the two.

Argumentation

Because Lincoln Douglas debate is an educational debate activity, debaters are obligated to construct logical chains of reasoning which lead to the conclusion of the affirmative or negative position. The nature of proof may take a variety of forms (e.g., a student’s original analysis, application of philosophy, examples, analogies, statistics, expert opinion, etc.).

Arguments should be presented in a cohesive manner that shows a clear relationship to the value structure. Any research should be conducted and presented ethically from academically sound and appropriately cited sources.

Cross-Examination

Cross-examination should be used by the debater to clarify, challenge, and/or advance arguments in the round.

Effective delivery

Lincoln Douglas debate is an oral communication activity that requires clarity of thought and expression. Arguments should be worded and delivered in a manner accessible to an educated non-specialist audience. This encompasses:

• Written communication: Cases and arguments should be constructed in a manner that is organized, accessible, and informative to the listener. The debater should employ clear logic and analysis supported by topical research.
• Verbal communication: The debater has the obligation to be clear, audible and comprehensible, and to speak persuasively to the listeners. Additionally, debaters should strive for fluency, expressiveness, effective word choice, and eloquence.
• Non-verbal communication: The debater should demonstrate an effective use of gestures, eye contact, and posture.

Throughout the debate, the debaters should demonstrate civility as well as a professional demeanor and style of delivery.

Question

The question to be debated will be the high school NFL L/D National Tournament topic which will be announced on NFLOnline on May 1, 2007.

Format of the Debate

Timing

Timekeeping is required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their opponent or the judge may keep time.

Prep Time

Prep time for each debater is 8 minutes.

Reading case

A team may decide, when asked by the opponent team for a copy of their case, whether or not to provide it; if the team refuses they shall not be penalized in any way.

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Policy Debate Rules

Question

The question to be debated will be the high school NFL national tournament topic.

Speaker Order

Each speaker shall have eight minutes for constructive argument, alternating affirmative to negative. Following each constructive speech, one opponent shall cross-examine the speaker for three minutes.

The questioner shall control the use of the time and may interrupt the respondent, but may not comment on the answers or make any statement of his/her own views. Each debater shall question one opponent.

Following the four constructive speeches and questioning, each speaker shall have five minutes for rebuttal, alternating negative to affirmative.

Format of the Debate

Prep Time

Each debate team has a total of 8 minutes of prep time.

Prompting Philosophy

Oral prompting, except time signals, either by the speaker's colleague or by any other person while the debater has the floor, is discouraged though not prohibited and may be penalized by some judges. Debaters may, however, refer to their notes and materials and may consult with their teammate while they do not have the floor.

Reading case and/or plan

A team may decide, when asked by the opponent team for a copy of their case and/or plan, whether or not to provide it; if the team refuses they shall not be penalized in any way.

Timing

Timekeeping is required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their partners or the judge may keep time.

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Parliamentary Debate Format Rules

The Topics

The Parliamentary Debate Format topics for each round will be created by a three-person committee agreed upon by NFL and IDEA that will have at least one member representing each organization.

Number of Teams and Debaters

Each MSPDF debate has 2 teams. One team is called the proposition. The other team is called the opposition. Each debate team has 3 students. One student is known as the first speaker for the team; one is the second speaker for the team; and the third student is the team’s rebuttal speaker.

Speaking Order and Speaking Time Limits

Speakers make their presentations in the following order. The time that is listed is the maximum amount for each speech.

Preparation Period

Before each debate, a topic is announced. If the topic has been announced before the tournament or competition (an extemporaneous topic), debaters have 20 minutes of preparation time to review their notes, speak with their coaches and teammates, and copy notes or other information for use in the upcoming debate.

If the topic has not been announced before the tournament or competition (an impromptu topic), debaters have 30 minutes of preparation time before the debate begins.

Timing

Timekeeping is required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their partners or the judge may keep time.

Debate Materials

Before a debate tournament or competition, or during preparation time, students may review any and all information that would help them prepare for a debate. They may review books from the library, current event articles in newspapers and magazines, websites and other information on the Internet, class notes, and written records of debate meetings and previous debates.

They may speak to teachers, coaches, teammates, parents, friends, and others. Once the debate begins, however, students MAY NOT REVIEW OR USE any notes that were not prepared during the preparation time period.

In preparation time, students may look at and copy materials from their notes. They may as the advice of coaches and teachers. These new notes, written during preparation time, are allowed in the debate. Students may not use any materials, even hand written notes, which were prepared before the announced start of preparation time.

In particular, students may not read prepared speeches in a debate. The use of pre-prepared materials is a serious violation of the rules and their use may mean a forfeit and loss of a debate.

Points of Information and Heckling

A Point of Information is a request by a member of one team to the person who is speaking to give some of her speaking time to the other team to make a comment or ask a question about her speech.

Points of Information may be accepted or rejected by the speaker. If a point is accepted by the speaker, the opposing team’s point may not last longer than 15 seconds. The speaker accepts only a single point at a time.

The person making a Point of Information may not interrupt the speaker’s answer to the point, make a two-part question, ask a follow-up question, or make any other comment unless the speaker agrees to it by accepting another Point of Information.

Students may not ask their own teammates Points of Information.

A heckle is an interruption of a speaker during her presentation. Responsible heckling is not only permitted, but also encouraged, in the MSPDF style.

A judge may deduct individual speaker points for rude behavior during an opposing team’s speeches. A judge may also reward individual speakers and teams for the effective use of Points of Information and heckling.

This event does not allow the use of either Points of Order or Points of Personal Privilege.

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Individual Event Rules

The 2007 Middle School National Tournament will use the NFL High School time limits for all individual events. The 2008 Middle School National Tournament Individual Event rules, however, will be altered to incorporate different time limits for most individual events. The 2008 time limits will be:

8:00 Minutes: Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Interpretation of Poetry, and Original Oratory

7:00 Minutes: Extemporaneous Speaking, and Interpretation of Prose

5:00 Minutes: Impromptu Speaking

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Extemporaneous Speaking

Topics will cover United States domestic policy, United States foreign policy, and the foreign policies of foreign nations.

Topics: The tournament director shall obtain a list of topics phrased for contest use and based on subjects discussed in standard periodicals during the current school year. Each topic must be in the form of a question. The contents of the list shall not be disclosed except as contestants draw topics. Topics should be age-appropriate for middle school students.

Drawing: Thirty minutes before the round is to begin, the first speaker shall draw three topics, choose one, and return the other two. Other contestants shall draw in like manner, in the order of speaking, at intervals of seven minutes.

Preparation: As soon as a topic is chosen, the contestant shall withdraw and prepare a speech without consultation and without references to prepared notes. Students may consult published books, magazines, newspapers, and journals or articles, provided…

• They are originals or Xeroxed copies of originals.
• Original articles or copies must be intact & uncut.
• There is no written material on original or copies.
• Topical index without annotation is allowed.

No other material shall be allowed in the extemp prep room other than stated above. Extemp speeches, handbooks, briefs, and outlines shall be barred from the extemp prep room. Underlining or highlighting on materials will be allowed if done in only one color on each article or copy.

No electrical retrieval device may be used, but printed material from “on line” computer services may be used. Source citations of such materials must meet MLA standards.

Recusal: A contestant may not leave the prep area without first checking out with the proctor. A student leaving without permission will be ranked last in that round.

Index Cards: Speakers may use one 3-inch by 5-inch index card per round. These cards must be prepared in the preparation area.

Time: Contestants shall speak not more than seven minutes. No minimum time is mandated. Judges should provide time signals at 6:00 and 6:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

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Original Oratory

This contest shall comprise only memorized orations actually composed by the contestants and not used in any previous contest year. No visual aids are permitted.

Subject: Any appropriate subject may be used, but the orator must be truthful. Any non-factual reference, especially a personal one, must be so identified.

Length: Delivery shall require not more than 10 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 9:00 and at 9:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Quotation: Not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing and such quotations shall be identified in a printed copy of the oration supplied prior to registration. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is prohibited.

Script: The Tournament Director must receive a copy of the orator’s script by Friday, June 15, 2007. The Tournament Director’s contact information will be posted on IDebate. The script should identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, and both the orator and the coach must attest by signature that the oration is the original work of the contestant.

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Prose Interpretation

Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs: fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies). During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.

Selections: Only published, printed works may be used. No plays or other dramatic materials may be used. In prose, a student may not use the same source s/he used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any IDEA/NJFL/MSFL tournament. Adaptations of television skits or other non-published material are prohibited.

Time: Presentations shall not last more than 7:00 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 6:00 and at 6:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Presentation: Performances must be from a manuscript (which will be in a folder). Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. Movement below the waist is not allowed.

Focus: In Prose, use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted

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Poetry

Poetry is writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm, their meaning. Poetry may rely on verse and stanza form. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.

Selections: Only published, printed works may be used. No plays or other dramatic materials may be used. In poetry, a student may not use the same source s/he used in Duo, Dramatic or Humorous at any IDEA/NJFL/MSFL tournament. Students may use one poem or multiple poems in their selection.

Time: Presentations shall not last more than 7 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 6:00 and at 6:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Presentation: Performances must be from a manuscript (which may be in a folder). Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. Movement below the waist is not allowed.

Focus: In Poetry, use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted

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Dramatic Interpretation

Each selection is presented as a memorized selection without the use of physical objects, script, or costume. Presentation shall not exceed 10 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 9:00 and at 9:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Selections: Selections used in these contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. No school publications or recorded material that is not printed and published is acceptable. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of transition. Monologues are acceptable in Dramatic Interpretation.

During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made. Adaptations of television skits or other non-published material are prohibited.

Cutting: A cutting must be from a single work of literature: one story, or one play, or one novel.

Focus: In Dramatic Interpretation, use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted

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Humorous Interpretation

Each selection is presented as a memorized selection without the use of physical objects, script, or costume. Presentation shall not exceed 10 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 9:00 and at 9:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Selections: Selections used in these contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. No school publications or recorded material that is not printed and published is acceptable. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of transition. Monologues are acceptable in Humorous Interpretation.

During the presentation the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made. Adaptations of television skits or other non-published material are prohibited.

Cutting: A cutting must be from a single work of literature: one story, or one play, or one novel.

Focus: In Humorous Interpretation, use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.

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Impromptu Speaking

Topics: Impromptu topics will include proverbs, abstract words, events, quotations, and famous people.

Drawing: Five minutes before the round is to begin, the first speaker shall draw three topics, choose one, and return the other two. The other contestants shall draw in like manner, in the order of speaking, at intervals of six minutes. The same list of topics shall be used for the drawing by each section. A different subject area will be used for each round.

Preparation: As soon as a topic is chosen, the contestant shall withdraw and prepare a speech without consultation and without references to prepared notes. Students may consult published books, magazines, newspapers, and journals or articles, provided:

• They are originals or Xeroxed copies of originals.
• That original article or copy is intact and uncut.
• There is no written material on original or copy.
• Topical index without annotation is allowed.

No other material shall be allowed in the impromptu prep room other than stated above. Speeches, handbooks, briefs, and outlines shall be barred from the prep room. Underlining or highlighting in materials will be allowed if done in one color on each article or copy. No electrical retrieval device may be used, but printed materials from “online” computer services may be used.

Recusal: A student may not leave the impromptu prep room without permission of the proctor.

Notes: Speakers may use one 3-inch by 5-inch index card per round. These cards must be prepared in the preparation area.

Time: There is no minimum qualifying time, but the contestant must cover the subject adequately. Maximum time is five minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 4:00 and at 4:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

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Duo Interpretation

Each selection is presented as a memorized selection without the use of physical objects, script, or costume. Presentation shall not exceed 10 minutes. Judges should provide time signals at 9:00 and at 9:30. A competitor who exceeds this time limit by more than :30 seconds is not eligible for a first place rank.

Selections: Selections used in these contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. No school publications or recorded material that is not printed and published is acceptable. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of transition.

During the presentation the contestants must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made. Adaptations of television skits or other non-published material are prohibited.

In duo interpretation, each of the two performers may play one or more characters, so long as performance responsibility in the cutting remains as balanced as possible. (If the selection is prose or poetry and contains narration, either or both of the performers may present the narration.)

Cutting: A cutting must be from a single work of literature: one story, or one play, or one novel.

Focus: In Duo Interpretation, use of focal points and/or direct contact with the audience should be determined by the requirements of the literature being interpreted.

In Duo Interpretation, focus may be direct during the introduction and the performers may look at each other but must be indirect (off-stage) during the performance itself.

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Appendixes

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Ballots

The attached PDF document includes all of the associated ballots for the tournament for your reference. IDEA debate ballot to be added based on existing design.

IDEA / NJFL Combined Ballots

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Judging Instructions

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General Judging Instructions

• All judges are to report to their assigned rooms at least five minutes before the time the contest is scheduled to begin.
• Each judge's ballot is to be secured from contest official.
• Read instructions on the back of the ballot.
• Do not confer with the other judges.
• Judges should not interrupt the flow of debates or contests in any way. They are to be there as silent evaluators and should not reveal their decision.

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Policy, Public Forum and L/D Judges

• During the questioning periods in Policy and L/D, the time belongs to the debater asking the questions. The questions should be brief and the answers short and specific. The person answering the questions should not be permitted to refute, but should be limited to simply answering the questions. The questioner should not be permitted to comment on the answers.
• During the "crossfire" questioning periods in Public Forum debate, the time belongs to all debaters to ask and answer questions. The first question of each crossfire period should be given by the first speaking team. The questions and answers should be brief and specific. Speakers should stand during regular
• Crossfire and should remain seated for the Grand Crossfire.
• A judge must render a decision no later than 10 minutes after the final speaker concludes.

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Speech Judges

• If a contestant is not present when his/her number is called, the judge is to go on to the next one. When the tardy contestant arrives, s/he should be heard next. Some students are participating in another contest scheduled for the same hour and they cannot avoid being late. For the same reason, a student may have to leave immediately after speaking.
• As students announce their subjects, the judge is to please write the title of the selection in the designated space on the ballot.
• If a contestant exceeds the time limit indicated for each event, the contestant is not to be disqualified, but if the speaker is more than :30, that speaker is not eligible to receive a 1st place ranking
• If a contestant does not arrive by the end of the contest, the judge is to inquire about the absent contestant before s/he marks the ballot. Every contestant should be heard.
• After all contestants have been heard, they are to be ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, in order of excellence. Number 1 is the best speaker. You may have more than one competitor with a 5th place ranking
• The judge must be sure to double check the ballot, sign it, and return it to the ballot table.

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Judging Lincolg Douglas Debate

This activity is designed to teach excellent critical thinking and public presentation skills. Your role as a judge is to determine which debater did a better job of convincing you that his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle.

Before the Round

• Find out the exact wording of the debate resolution and write it down.
• Read and follow the instructions on the judging ballot you will receive.
• Read any additional Lincoln Douglas instructions that are provided to you.
• Talk with debaters before the round starts if you wish, but the conversation should not demonstrate favoritism toward a debater.
• Debaters should always be respectful of one another and of you, and you should set a tone of decorum and professionalism.

To Begin the Round

• You will be instructed as to which side the debaters have been assigned.
• The Affirmative debater should be listed on the left side of the ballot and you may ask the debater to sit on the left side of the room as you, the judge, look at the debaters.
• The Negative debater should be listed on the right side of the ballot and you may ask the debater to sit on the right side of the room as you, the judge, look at the debaters.
• Record each debater’s code and side. You can confirm this information with the debaters.
• When both debaters are ready, the Affirmative debater will stand in the front of the room to deliver the initial speech.

During the Round

• While the debaters may keep track of their own time, judges need to monitor speaking times during the round. Speech times and order are listed on the ballot.
• Each debater has five minutes of preparation time (total) in each round, which can be used prior to any of that debater’s speeches or cross-examination period. Judges need to monitor how much preparation time has elapsed for each debater.
• During the debate, you are encouraged to take notes of the arguments made by the debaters to assist you in making your decision at the end of the round.
• You should also keep track of what a debater says, if anything, in response to the other debater’s arguments. To ensure fairness, your notes should help you determine if a debater is improperly making brand new arguments in the final rebuttal speeches to which the opposing debater has no opportunity to respond.
• Judges should not ask questions during the round.

After the Round

• Check your codes carefully. This is especially important when marking the winner of the debate.
• In your written comments, please be as constructive and educational as possible. Provide a detailed justification of your decision, referring to the central issues the debaters presented in the round. Evaluate the round based only on the arguments that the debaters made and not on personal opinions or on arguments that you would have made.
• Please completely fill out the ballot and return it promptly to the designated location.

Your decision about which team wins SHOULD NOT be based upon:

• Personal bias – A judge’s preference for a side of the resolution or a topic bias should not enter into the decision. A judge must decide the round based on the arguments presented in that round. Objectivity is the primary responsibility of any judge.
• Partiality – The judge should not be influenced by the reputation of or relationship with the debaters, schools, or coaches. If a situation arises where impartiality is in doubt, the judge has the responsibility to report this potential conflict of interest to the tab room.
• New arguments introduced in rebuttals– The judges shall disregard new arguments

introduced in the rebuttals. This does not include the introduction of new evidence in support of points already advanced or the answering of arguments introduced by opponents.

A decision SHOULD BE based upon the consideration of any or all of the following questions:

• Burden of proof - Which debater has proven his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle by the end of the round? No debater can realistically be expected to prove complete validity or invalidity of the resolution. A judge should prefer quality and depth of argumentation to mere quantity of argumentation. A judge should base the decision on which debater more effectively resolved the central questions of the resolution rather than on insignificant dropped arguments.
• Value structure – Which debater better established a clear and cohesive relationship

between the argumentation and the value structure?

• Argumentation – Which debater better presented his/her arguments with logical

reasoning using appropriate support? Which debater best utilized cross-examination to clarify, challenge, or advance arguments?

• Resolutionality –Which debater best addressed the central questions of the resolution?
• Clash – Which debater best showed the ability to both attack his/her opponent’s case and to defend his/her own?
• Delivery – Which debater communicated in a more persuasive, clear, and professional manner? A judge should give weight only to those arguments that were presented in a manner that was clear and understandable to him or her as a judge.

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Judging Middle School Policy Debate Format

Judges are expected to carefully and fairly decide the outcomes of a debate. Any judge who cannot fairly decide a particular debate should notify a tournament director, competition coordinator, or other responsible person and remove herself from judging. Judges are never assigned to judge students from their own school.

Judges are ultimately responsible, however, for making sure that they will judge debates in a fair manner. There are two outcomes for a debate. The judge must decide the winning side of the debate. That is the team that argued successfully on the topic. If the proposition team proves its case, the judge should reward the proposition team. If the proposition team did not prove its case, the judge should declare the opposition team as the winner. There are no ties in debates. Neither can two teams win a debate or both teams lose a debate.

In addition to deciding the winning team in the debate, a judge must award individual points to each of the six debaters. Student are rated on a scale of 0-30 points, with “30” points awarded for a perfect performance. The judge should consider public speaking, argumentation, and teamwork skills in assigning individual speaker points. It is possible to give the same speaker points to more than one student.

After careful deliberation of the outcome of the debate, the judge will complete a ballot, a record of the debate, given to her by the tournament host. The judge will then announce the outcome of the debate to the participating teams. The judge will explain the reasons that a particular side has won the debate.

The judge will provide some constructive criticism to help debaters improve in future debates. The judge will then complete the written ballot, providing a detailed description of the reason(s) for the outcome, as well as listing any additional comments to help debaters improve their public speaking and debate skills.

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Judging Public Forum Debate

• Public Forum Debate is a team event that advocates or rejects a position posed by the resolution. A central tenet of the debate is that the clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the non-specialist or “citizen judge”, i.e. a member of the American jury.

• The debate should:
  • display solid logic, reasoning, and analysis
  • utilize evidence but not be driven by it
  • present a clash of ideas
  • counter the arguments of the opponents (rebuttal)
  • communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum

• Public Forum is a unique debate form. While Policy Debate focuses on a plan to solve the problem(s) posed by the resolution, and Lincoln Douglas Debate focuses on the core value of the resolution, Public Forum Debate focuses on advocacy of a position derived from issues presented in the resolution, not a prescribed set of burdens.

• In Public Forum Debate, a plan or counter plan is defined by the NFL as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation. Neither the pro or con side is permitted to offer a plan or counter plan; rather, they should offer reasoning to support a position of advocacy. Debaters may offer generalized, practical solutions.

• New arguments in the “final focus” should be ignored. The “final focus” must be based on argument and issues previously addressed in the debate.

• Logical reasoning, maturity of thought, and effectiveness of communication are of primary consideration. Evidence, examples, and analogies are to be used for the purpose of illustration.

• In making a decision, a judge should be as objective as possible. Remember these are propositions upon which there may have strong feelings of which the debaters are unaware. Judges should adjudicate the round as it is debated, not as they personally feel.

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Juding Extemporaneour Speaking

The extemporaneous speech should not be regarded as a memory test of the material contained in any one magazine article, but rather as an original synthesis by the speaker of the current fact and opinion on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources.

The contestant therefore should be held accountable for strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic drawn and discounted severely for shifting to some other phase of the topic on which s/he might prefer to speak.

The information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic. The material should be organized according to some logical plan to produce a complete speech within the time allowed. Delivery should be free from marked defects in the mechanics of speech -- poise, quality and use of voice, enunciation, fluency, bodily expressiveness -- and should be effective in enlisting and holding the interest of the audience.

The best extemporaneous speech combines clear thinking, good speaking, and interesting presentation to establish a definite thought with respect to the subject chosen. Do not require a contestant speaking on a controversial subject to take a personal stand on that issue.

S/He may do so, or s/he may elect to present both sides of the controversy as currently set forth in the his/her own plan. There is NO minimum qualifying time for the extemp speech. Do not penalize a contestant for brevity unless s/he fails to cover adequately the subject s/he has chosen.

Maximum time is seven minutes. Impose no penalty for slight overtime, but if the speaker exceeds the maximum speaking time by more than :30 seconds, S/He is not eligible to receive a 1st place ranking.

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Judging Original Oratory

Since these orations have been written by the contestants delivering them, the judges should consider Thought, Composition, and Delivery. However, since this is a contest in speech rather than in essay writing, the emphasis should be placed on the speech phase. Thought and composition should be considered primarily in the way they are employed to make effective speaking possible.

The orator should not be expected to solve any of the great problems of the day. Rather, s/he should be expected to discuss intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to his/her audience the topic s/he has chosen. Any appropriate subject may be chosen but the orator must be truthful. Any non-factual reference, especially a personal one, MUST be so identified.

Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution, the judge is expressly reminded that this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. The oration may simply alert the audience to a threatening danger, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person. The orator should be given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of its development and presentation.

The composition should be considered carefully for its rhetoric and diction. The use of appropriate figures of speech, similes and metaphors, balanced sentences, allusions, and other rhetorical devices to make the oration more effective should be noted especially. Use of American English should be more than correct; it should reveal a discriminating choice of words and altogether fine literary qualities. It should be especially adapted to oral presentation.

Delivery should be judged for mastery of the usual mechanics of speech -- poise, quality and use of voice, bodily expressiveness, and for the qualities of directness and sincerity which impress the oration upon the minds of the audience. An orator should not be penalized for a few seconds overtime but if the speaker exceeds the maximum speaking time by more than :30 seconds, s/he is not eligible to receive a 1st place ranking.

No particular style of delivery is to be set up as the one correct style to which all contestants must conform. Rather, each contestant is to be judged upon the effectiveness of his/her delivery, free to choose or develop whatever style will best give him/her that effectiveness with his/her particular oration. No visual aids are permitted.

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Judging Oral Interpretation Events

The art of interpretation is to be regarded as recreating the characters in the story presented and making them seem living and real to the audience. Presentation shall be from memory and without the use of physical objects or costume.

A selection for interpretation must be a cutting from a single literary work: one novel, or one short story, or one play, or one or more poems. Monologues are acceptable. During the presentation, the contestant must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.

Adaptation may be for the purpose of transition. The selection should be judged for its appropriateness as contest material and its suitability to the particular contestant using it. The use of good literature should be noted favorably and a selection devoid of literary merit graded lowest.

This is a contest in interpretation. The contestants should be evaluated on poise, quality and use of voice, inflections, emphasis, pronunciation, enunciation, physical expression, and especially the ability to as to be an interesting and integral part of the story rather than just "filler" between portions of dialogue. A speaker that exceeds the maximum speaking time for the event by more than :30 seconds is not eligible to receive a 1st place ranking.

The final test of good interpretation is the ability to use all these factors so successfully and unobtrusively that the hearer forgets that this is a contest and in a created atmosphere is carried away to the time and place of the story being unfolded.

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Judging Duo Interpretation

The art of interpretation is to be regarded as recreating the characters in the story presented and making them seem living and real to the audience. Presentation shall be from memory and without the use of physical objects or costume.

A selection for interpretation must be a cutting from a single literary work: one novel, or one short story, or one play, or one or more poems. In Duo Interpretation each of the two performers may play one or more characters, so long as performance responsibility in the cutting remains as balanced as possible. [If the selection is prose or poetry and contains narration, either or both of the performers may present the narration.]

During the presentation, the team must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made. Adaptation may be for the purpose of transition. The selection should be judged for its appropriateness as contest material and its suitability to the particular contestant using it. The use of good literature should be noted favorably and a selection devoid of literary merit graded lowest.

This is a contest in interpretation. The contestants should be evaluated on poise, quality and use of voice, inflections, emphasis, pronunciation, enunciation, physical expression, and especially the ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently. Narrative, if included, should be vivid and animated so as to be an interesting and integral part of the story rather than just "filler" between portions of dialogue.

The final test of good interpretation is the ability to use all these factors so successfully and unobtrusively that the hearer forgets that this is a contest and in a created atmosphere is carried away to the time and place of the story being unfolded. A team that exceeds the maximum speaking time for the event by more than :30 seconds is not eligible to receive a 1st place ranking.

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Hotel and Travel Information

All rooms are blocked for check in June 28 check out July 2, 2007. You may stay for all four days or as many as needed. If you wish to stay extra days you need to put in your individual request ASAP. The Greeley Independence Stampede is held June 18-July 4th. It is a huge event in Colorado and every hotel in the area will be sold out weeks in advance so you must book your room by May 28, 2007.

All rooms will be released after that date.

Rooms are listed in order of proximity to the tournament location.

The SOD BUSTER INN Bed and Breakfast

1221 9TH Avenue Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-392-1221 [1]

Rate: $99.00 a night. Rates are for 2 guests in a room. Includes a gourmet breakfast each morning. Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal. Also, they have a special deal to book the entire place of 10 rooms up to 20 people for 4 nights plus the breakfast each morning. Ask for Bill for details. If you wish to book the entire building it must be done by February 28, 2007.

Make reservation under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 0.76 miles / 3 minutes

Best Western Regency Hotel

701 8th Street Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-353-8444 [2]

Rate: $119.00 a night. Rates are for 2 guests in a room with 1 king bed and up to 2 guests in a room with 2 queen beds. Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservation under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 1.50 miles / 5 minutes

Hampton Inn and Suites (New Hotel Opens February 2007)

2350 W. 29th Street Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-339-5525

Rate: $129.00 a night. Rate is for a standard King or Queen room. Rate: $139.00 a night. Rate is for a King or Queen Suite.

Must book by May 28, 2007

Make reservations under: Todd Doleshall / MSFL.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.5 Miles / 7 minutes

Fairfield Inn

2401 W. 29th Street Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-339-5030

Rate: $84.99 a night. Rates are for up to 4 guests in a room with 2 queen beds. Must book by May 27, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.58 miles / 7 minutes

Comfort Inn of Greeley

2467 W. 29th Street Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-330-6380

Rate: $89.99 a night. Rates are for 2 guests in a room with 1 king bed and up to 4 guests in a room with 2 queen beds. Must book by May 15, 2007 to receive this deal.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.66 miles / 7 minutes

Motel 6 Greeley Evans

3015 8th Ave. Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-351-6481 [3]

Rate: $42.99 a night (June 28th) $49.99 a night (June 29th – July 1st). Rooms are available with 1 queen bed (2 people per room) or 2 double beds (4 people to a room). Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservation under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.70 miles / 7 minutes

Country Inn & Suites

2501 W. 29th Street Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-330-3404 [4]

Rate: $81.00 a night. Rates are for 2 guests in a room with 1 king bed and up to 4 guests in a room with 2 queen beds. $106.00 a night for a large king room. Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.70 miles / 7 minutes

Holiday Inn Express

2563 W. 29th St. Greeley, CO. 80631
Phone: 970-330-7495

Rate: $93.50 a night. Rates are for 2 guests in a room with 2 double beds. Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.78 miles / 7 minutes

Heritage Inn

3301 W. Service Rd. Evans, CO.
Phone: 970-395-7400

Rate: $48.99 a night. Choose one-single king 2 people, 2 double beds 4 people. Must book by May 28, 2007 to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.81 miles / 7 minutes

Sleep Inn

3025 8th Ave. Evans, CO 80620
Phone: 970-356-2180 Fax: 970-356-1910

Rate: $70.00 a night. 2 double beds in a room. Must book by May 28, 2007 6pm to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 2.93 miles / 8 minutes.

Days Inn

5630 W. 10th Street Greeley, CO 80634
Phone: 970-392-1530 [5]

Rate: $79.99 a night. 2 double beds in a room. $82.99-a suite. Must book by May 31, 2007 6pm to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 4.25 miles / 10 minutes

Super 8 Motel

1625 Main Street Windsor, CO 80645
Phone: 970-686-5996 Fax: 970-686-5393 [6]

Rate: $79.99 a night: 2 double beds in a room up to 4 people-nonsmoking, 2 queen beds in a room up to 4 people smoking. Must book by May 1, 2007 6pm to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 16.66 miles / 26 minutes

AmericInn

7645 Westgate Drive Windsor, CO 80645
Phone: 970-226-1232

Rate: $99.00 a night. 2 queen beds, up to 4 people in a room. Must book by May 28, 2007 6pm to receive this deal.

Make reservations under: MSFL-Doleshall-Forensics.

Distance from Hotel to Tournament: 22.86 miles / 27 minutes