Rules differ between different leagues as to which events are offered or rules within that event. Below is a brief description of most events offered by the NFCFL/NCFL, NFL, and FFL.
For a more detailed review of events, rules, and league differences, consult the Florida Speech & Debate Uniform Manual for Judges. Also available are the Florida Speech & Debate Uniform Manual for Judges of Debate and the Florida Speech & Debate Uniform Manual for Judges of Speech.
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Most Common Event Name |
Alternate Event Names |
Available in NCFL/NFCFL? |
Available in FFL? |
Available in NFL? |
Description |
| Policy Debate | Team Debate (TD) Cross-Ex Debate (CXD) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Two teams of two debate a policy resolution (constant throughout the year) |
| Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | One on one, debating a resolution of value (changes every two months) |
| Public Forum Debate (PF)* | Ted Turner Debate, Crossfire Debate | Yes! Click here for more info! | Yes | Yes | Teams of two face off in a less complicated debate |
| Student Congress (SC) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes; divided into the Senate and House of Representatives | A mock U.S. Congress, competitors write and debate the merits of legislation they themselves have written |
| Original Oratory (OO) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Competitors write and memorize a ten minute speech to inform and/or persuade |
| Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp) | N/A | Yes | Split into Domestic Extemporaneous (DX/UX) and International Extemporaneous (IX) | Split into Domestic Extemporaneous (DX/UX) and International Extemporaneous (IX) | Students are given thirty minutes of preparation time to deliver a seven minute speech about current events |
| Declamation (DEC) | N/A | Only for Freshman and Sophomores | Only at the Novice State Championship | No | Students present a memorized speech that must have been actually delivered in real life as a speech by a speaker other than the present contestant. |
| Oral Interpretation (OI) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Part of Humorous Interpretation (HI) and Dramatic Interpretation (DI) Also split into Poetry and Prose, which are supplemental events only |
An interpreter reads either prose or poetry selections while holding a script. Students must prepare separate prose and poetry selections, which they will perform in alternating rounds. |
| Duo Interpretation (DUO) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two students perform ten minutes of a memorized play or movie using appropriate vocal expression, movement, and interaction without the use of costuming or props. |
| Dramatic Performance (DP) | N/A | Yes | Split into Humorous Interpretation (HI) and Dramatic Interpretation (DI) | Split into Humorous Interpretation (HI) and Dramatic Interpretation (DI) | Student performs a memorized cutting from a play or movie for a maximum of ten minutes, playing multiple characters
Red indicates a designated debate event; debate class or camp required ("*" marks an exception). |