Secondary Campus

What is Speech?

Speech is a competition in which team members are judged on their performances in one of 13 categories, or kinds of speech. (Experienced team members may enter tournaments in more than one category with the approval of the head coach.) Each competitor is ranked among opponents in the same category in order to win individual awards and points toward team trophies.

Categories are chosen by team members, with guidance from coaches to create balance on the team’s roster and to give each competitor the best chance of personal success. Coaches also help students find and edit topics and scripts and provide weekly practices and other workshop opportunities to continually improve their performances and (hopefully!) tournament results.

PACT’s speech season begins in January. Tournaments take place most Saturdays, culminating with the Section 4A and Minnesota State tournaments in April.

With these 13 categories to choose from, Speech has a place for every team member’s personality and skillset:

CREATIVE EXPRESSION is for the creative person who enjoys writing and performing their own material. The piece may be about nearly any topic, in nearly any style, and may be serious and/or humorous. 

DISCUSSION includes the competitor joining a small group that works together for up to an hour to solve a problem or task. A combination of a cooperative attitude, critical thinking, honest respect for others' opinions, and a strong foundation of knowledge about the subject is an advantage in Discussion. 

DUO INTERPRETATION includes two speakers performing scenes from a script, serious or humorous, with literary merit. Duo is a great category for speakers who have a flair for the dramatic and a high level of commitment to working with a speaking partner.

EXTEMPORANEOUS READING is for competitors who enjoy reading literature aloud so that it is meaningful and entertaining for an audience. “Extemporaneous” means that the competitor finds out the selection with 30 minutes to prepare before competing.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING is a category in which competitors are each asked a question about a current event or issue and spend 30 minutes preparing a speech to answer that question. Keeping up with news and organizing thoughts quickly and clearly are advantages in Extemp Speaking.

GREAT SPEECHES is a category in which the competitor analyzes a notable historical speech and writes and performs a script that communicates why it was effective and should be remembered today. Great Speeches is for the person who reads carefully and loves understanding how communication works.

HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION features the competitor performing a script that is meant to amuse, give enjoyment, and create laughter. People who are naturally funny, witty, have a sense of comic timing, are expressive, can do multiple voices and characters, and are willing to take risks are good candidates for this category. 

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING includes the competitor researching, writing, and performing a script about any worthwhile and interesting subject.  The competitor may use visual aids to help introduce their topic and show its significance. Info is an excellent category for the person who enjoys exploring a unique interest in detail and sharing it with others.

ORIGINAL ORATORY is persuasive speaking. The script is researched and written by the competitor with the goal of shaping the audience’s thinking about the topic. Oratory is a great category for the person who enjoys research, has a strong point of view, and can make a sound argument.

SERIOUS DRAMA, POETRY, or PROSE INTERPRETATION are three similar categories in which the competitor performs a selection from a play or screenplay (Drama), a poem or group of poems (poetry) or a story, novel, memoir, or essay (Prose). These categories are a good match for a person who loves to bring characters to life through voice, expression, movement, and timing.

STORYTELLING is a category in which the competitor becomes very familiar with up to 20 different stories (often folktales) in order to recreate them in their own words. A person who wants to entertain an audience with imaginative descriptions, lively characters, and meaningful ideas is well-suited to Storytelling.

Eligible Grades: Grades 7-12

Teams: Middle School and High School

Season Dates: November through April