by Kyle Lee | Feb 16, 2021 | From Novice to Intermediate, Speech Events
Every so often, I’m asked if there’s any speech event that’s a necessity to compete in. My answer is always the same: “Impromptu”. Impromptu is an event that pushes your speaking style and thinking to the maximum. Learning the event is...
by Kyle Lee | Feb 2, 2021 | Speech Events, Technique
As I’ve spent more time in the speech and debate community, I’ve realized just how important experience is. Experience builds the background necessary to win rounds and persuade judges. I remember back in my novice year, everything in speech and debate...
by Patrick McDonald | Dec 3, 2020 | Extemporaneous
“Speaker 4, 5 minutes remaining.” I glance nervously down at my card. My card stares obstinately back up at me. Both of our expressions are blank. Distressed, I pick up my pen and scratch as many words as possible into the 3″ by 5″ piece of paper. Just as...
by Thaddeus Tague | Apr 5, 2019 | Communication/Rhetoric, Soapbox, Speaking, Speech Events, Technique
“What you write will never be more important than how you write it.” —Andrew Pudewa, Institute for Excellence in Writing The apparent disconnect between these two essential questions—“what” versus “how”—is nowhere more prevalent than the largest space for...
by Thaddeus Tague | Dec 26, 2018 | Apologetics, Communication/Rhetoric, Extemporaneous, Soapbox, Speaking, Speech Events
Speakers who surprise, educate, and impress their audiences (by definition) keep their audience’s attention. If you’ve ever listened to a cool story or listened to a speech about a favorite subject, it is harder than normal to distract you. Bad speeches tend to cause...
by Catherine Alles | Nov 2, 2018 | Communication/Rhetoric, Extemporaneous, Speech Events
Extemporaneous is an intimidating speech category, but it is also one of the most rewarding. Competing in Extemp builds your critical thinking skills, makes you a more informed citizen, and is an incredible opportunity to share your opinion on important issues with...
