The New 39th John Marshall Invitational

The New 39^th John Marshall Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament

Schedule of Individual Events

Group A

After Dinner Speaking

Extemporaneous Interpretation

Extemporaneous Speaking

Novice Public Address

Prose Interpretation

Storytelling

Group B

Declamation

Dramatic Interpretation

Impromptu Speaking

Improvisational Duo

Poetry Interpretation

Sales Speaking

Group C

Broadcasting

Duo Interpretation of Literature

Humorous Interpretation

Novice Interpretation

Original Oratory

A school may have unlimited entries in each event. Only the top three entries’ preliminary points will count towards Sweepstakes. All contestants will be eligible for elimination rounds. All octo-final, semi-final and final round points earned will count towards Sweepstakes. A contestant is allowed to enter up to three events per grouping; however it is their responsibility to make it to their rounds on time. Contestants in Lincoln – Douglas and Public Forum Debate may enter one Individual Event per group and they can enter both debate events. Contestants in Student Congress may not enter more than one event. Individual events with less than twelve contestants will be cancelled.

A novice is defined as being in one’s first year of forensic competition or a student in a middle or junior high program.

Judges must have graduated from high school prior to 2009. All judges are to be knowledgeable of the tournament rules and event descriptions. All judges must be made available to judge until the ballots for the Final Round of Section C have been distributed. Failure of a judge to do so will result in the school being fined $40.00. If the fine is not paid within two weeks of the tournament’s completion, the school will not be invited in the future. There will be at least one judge in preliminary rounds and at least 3 judges in advancing rounds of all events.

There will be three preliminary rounds in each individual event as well as two sessions of Student Congress. There will be four rounds in Lincoln – Douglas and Public Forum Debate if the number of entries dictates. All events will have final rounds. Any Individual Event with 30+ entries will have semi-finals. There will be semi-final rounds in Lincoln – Douglas and Public Forum Debate if there are at least 8 contestants / teams entered. There will be quarter-finals if there are 16+ entries in the debate events. If there are more than 15 contestants in Student Congress than there will be two randomly selected houses of congress. The top 50% of each house will merge for a final round.

The lowest total rank always advances first from preliminary rounds. In the event of ties, the contestants with the most number of 1 ranks will advance. If a tie still occurs, then the highest total speaker points advances. If a tie remains then both contestants will advance. In final rounds, Judges Preference will be considered first, then most number of 1 ranks then total speaker points in the event of a tie in determining placement. If a tie remains then the most sweepstakes points earned in that event will be counted.

If at all possible, contestants from the same school will not meet in preliminary rounds. If there are more entries from a school then there are sections in an event then students from the same school will compete against each other. All rounds will be randomly paired. Semi-Finals in Public Forum and Lincoln – Douglas Debate will be 1 vs. 4 & 2 vs. 3. Quarter-Final pairings will be 1 vs. 8, 4 vs. 5, 2 vs. 7, and 3 vs. 6. IE semi-final pairings will be as follows: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11.

Any contestant going over the grace time or under the minimum time allowed in any event cannot be ranked 1^st in that round.

The lowest rank in any event will be given according to the smallest section of that event. If an event has 3 sections with six contestants and one section with 5 contestants, then the tab room officials will change all ranks of 6 to 5 on the summary sheets.

Awards will be presented to semi-finalists and the top 6 contestants in each Individual Event and Student Congress. Certificates of recognition will be presented to the top novice in each event. Semi Final and Final awards will be presented in Public Forum and Lincoln – Douglas Debate. The top six speakers in Public Forum Debate will be recognized. The Best Presiding Officer of Congress will also be awarded. The top 10 contestants in Triathlon will be awarded. The top 3 schools with less than 20 entries will be recognized in a small school sweepstakes division. The top 3 middle schools / junior high schools will be recognized. The top 3 schools will be recognized in Debate Sweepstakes. The top 6 schools will be recognized in overall combined Grand Sweepstakes. The John Marshall Travelling Trophy will also be presented.

Contestants are eligible for the Triathlon event if they are entered in at least three events. Only points earned in preliminary rounds of the top three events will count towards final rankings. All points earned in finals will count. There are no limits on the number of entries per school.

Only the top three entries per school in each event will count towards sweepstakes. Points from preliminary rounds will be sub-totaled and halved. All points earned in Semi-Final and Final Rounds will count towards sweepstakes. Ties in Sweepstakes will be broken by the number of event champions per school, then by the number of final slots of each school.

Each school must provide one judge for every two (or fraction thereof) Public Forum & Lincoln – Douglas Debate entries. They will be required to judge both events. Each school must provide one judge for every 6 (or fraction thereof) Individual Event & Student Congress combined entries. Each school must designate one judge to be placed in the Student Congress judging pool. The designees should have knowledge of parliamentary procedure and Congress rules.

Individual Events, Triathlon, Student Congress & Lincoln – Douglas Debate $5.00 per entry. Duo Interpretation, Improvisational Duo and Public Forum Debate - $10.00 per entry. Hired Judges for Individual Events and Student Congress are $10.00 for each judge needed. $25.00 for each Public Forum – Lincoln Douglas Debate judge needed.

There will be a $5.00 drop fee for each entry dropped after Monday, February 1, 2010. There will be a drop fee of $10.00 for each entry dropped after Wednesday, February 3, 2010. There is a $40.00 drop fee for any dropped judges after Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 12:00 PM EST. There is no charge for substitutions. Any drops on the day of the tournament must be phoned in by 9:00 am Friday, February 5, 2010 and a nuisance fee of $25.00 per drop plus the entry fee will be assessed. Drops at registration will be $50.00 plus the cost of the original entry. Drop fees must be paid before the posting of elimination rounds. Failure to pay the drop fees will result in those schools entries being disqualified and the forfeiture of all sweepstakes points for the tournament.

The Legacy of John Marshall Oratorical Contest – Contestants will present a 5-7 minute speech on John Marshall and/or his legacy. The speech should be delivered extemporaneously, therefore notes will be permitted. Each contestant will present his /her speech one time in ten minute increments to be scheduled throughout the tournament. Their speaking order will be randomly selected. There will be a three judge panel consisting of three professors from the faculty of Marshall University. Awards will be presented to the top 6 speakers and the winner will receive a $250.00 check. The fees for this event will be $10.00 per entry and schools may enter up to five contestants each. Sweepstakes will be awarded as a final round in Individual Events. All contestants entered will receive 1 point.

All events have a 5 minute minimum and a 10 minute maximum with a 30 second grace period unless otherwise specified. Contestants who go under or over, including the grace period may not be ranked 1^st in that round. There is no need to automatically rank them last. A copy of each interpretation and public speaking event must be made available to the tournament director upon registration.

After Dinner Speaking – Each contestant will present an original speech whose purpose is to make a serious point through the use of humor. The speech should reflect the development of a humorous comedic effort, not a stand –up comedy routine. Notes are not permitted, the speech must be memorized.

Broadcasting – Round I (commercial) 5 minutes of preparation time. No time limit. Contestants must present all

of the copy as it appears in the script. The judge will call one contestant into the room at a time, obtain the

contestant’s code number and name, and hand the contestant a script. The judge will begin timing the five minutes

of preparation and notify the student when he/she must begin. Contestants are not allowed to alter the script in

any way, but may use transitions in the news program. Round 2 (prepared news) No preparation time. The students

will prepare a news script using up-to-date material. The contestants may find material in AP script (available at

local television stations), newspapers, internet sites, etc. Each contestant must compose/ prepare his/her own

scripts. The three-minute time limit in the round must be observed (there is a 30 second grace period both above

and below the time limit). Contestants must bring copies of the script for the judges. These scripts will be turned in

to the tournament director. A brief commercial (15 seconds – suggested length) must be included in the broadcast.

Contestants must present all of the copy as it appears in the script. Contestants should come into the room one at a

time, give a copy of the script to the judge, and deliver their broadcast. An introduction and sign-off are required.

Round 3 (news) 15 minutes of preparation time. No time limit. Contestants must present all of the copy as it

appears in the script. Contestants are not allowed to alter the script in any way, but may use transitions in the news

program. An introduction and sign-off are required. Semi-Final and Final Round (edited news.) Contestants must

edit the copy and include an impromptu commercial to fit the five-minute time frame. During the round,

contestants may use a stopwatch while performing as judges will not give time signals. There is no grace period. If

time limit is exceeded; the student may not be ranked first in the round. The prep room monitor will handle the

scripts and send contestants to the judges at five-minute intervals. Preparation time is 30 minutes. An introduction

and sign-off are required. When the student is finished, the judge should collect the script and call in the next

contestant. Contestants must remain outside the room until it is their time to perform. The type of broadcast varies

from round to round and, as noted above, rules vary according to the type of script being used for that round.

Do not permit other students to listen before they have performed. Contestants must remain outside the room

until called upon to speak. Remember that this is Broadcasting not Announcing. Contestants must be judged not

only on the basis of what is heard, but also how it is presented. Judge eye contact, facial expression, or body

movement. Second round news script will be prepared prior to the tournament by the contestants and should

include up-to-date material. The arrangement and choice of material should be considered as well as the delivery.

The brief commercial does not have to be timed. The 15 seconds is only suggested. Do judge articulation, fluency,

conviction, accuracy, clarity and variety of voice, understanding of content, appropriate tone, and pronunciation.

In news programs, transitions should be appropriate. In semi-finals and finals, editing skills should also be judged.

Relevance of news selection and the arrangement of the articles should be considered.

Declamation – Contestants will present a pre-published speech which was written and performed by another person. An introduction must be presented and must include the author, occasion on which the original speech was delivered and the source of the publication. The speech must be delivered from memory. Notes are not permitted. This is open to freshmen and sophomores only and is considered a novice event.

Dramatic Interpretation – Each contestant will present a program, serious in nature, which represents one or more characters from material of literary merit. This material may be drawn from commercially available published stage, screen or radio scripts, short stories or novels. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Manuscripts are not permitted; the presentation must be delivered from memory. Movement, pantomime and gesturing are allowed.

Duo Interpretation – Contestants will present a cutting from a play, film or radio script, short story, novel, a single poem or multiple poetic selections, either humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. Introductory and transitional materials are permitted. This is not an acting event. Thus, costumes, props, accompaniment, etc. are not permitted. Manuscripts are not allowed. Pantomime and movement is encouraged if it is used to enhance the plot and character development. Contestants may enter two duos as long as they aren’t from the same title. They must be with different partners.

Extemporaneous Interpretation – Contestants will receive selections of literary material from published prose, poetic or dramatic literature and be given thirty minutes to prepare for oral interpretation. Selections must be cut and placed into a manuscript. Original introductory and transitional comments are permitted. Each contestant will select from the same materials provided. Round I will be selections from prose literature. Round II will be selections from poetic literature. Round III will be selections from dramatic literature. The Final Round will be selected from any or a combination of the afore mentioned areas of literature. The idea is for the contestant to show range and character in an improvisational style. Contestants will be expected to speak from 7 to 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period, so timing will be important. Contestants who go under or over the allotted time period may not be ranked 1^st in that round. Manuscripts are required.

Extemporaneous Speaking – For each round, contestants will select one of three topics on current national and international events. The contestants will have thirty minutes to prepare a 5 to 7 minute speech on the topic selected. Notes are permissible but must be limited to 50 words or less. There is a 30 second grace period. Any contestant going under or over the time allotted may not be ranked 1^st in that round. Accepted materials for preparation are defined as books, newspapers, internet sources, published annotated bibliographies, magazines and dictionaries. Electronic devices are permitted in the Extemp prep room, but no access to the internet will be given. Any contestant discovered accessing the internet will be disqualified. Highlighting is permissible, but marginal notes are forbidden. Topics will be taken from major news sources, either magazines or internet sources of unquestionable repute. Round I will be US politics, Round II – International Affairs, Round III – Domestic Issues. In the Final Round all contestants will speak on the same question. They will be required to remain in the room once they have spoken until the round is complete.

Humorous Interpretation – The rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation except contestants will present

humorous cuttings from commercially-available published printed stage, film or radio scripts, short stories or novels.

Impromptu Speaking – Each contestant will receive three topics from which to choose one to speak on. The topics not chosen should be placed with the remaining topics for the other contestants to choose from. Notes are permitted. There is a 5 minute preparation time and a maximum of 5 minutes speaking time. There is a thirty second grace period. Students who go over the allotted speaking time and grace period may not be ranked 1^st in that round. Topics will be, Round I – Ordinary things, Round II – Abstract Words, Round III – Quotations, the final round will be short excerpts dealing with general interests, political, economic and social issues. All contestants in the final round will speak on the same topic and will not be permitted to enter the room until it is time for them to speak.

Once they have spoken, they may not leave the round until it is completed. Contestants who have more than this event in Section B Finals should do impromptu last. Observers may not leave the room until the final round is completed.

Improvisational Duo – Preparation time for Improvisational Duo is three minutes. Preparation time is separate

from performance time. Performance time must be a minimum of three minutes and a maximum of six with a 30-

second grace period. Contestants going over or under the allotted time and grace period may not be ranked first in

that round. The judge should clarify with the students before they begin how time signals will be communicated and

must then give hand signals as the contestants are performing to help them stay within the time limit. No make-up,

costumes, props, or lighting are permitted, but a table and/or two chairs may be used. Doors and walls are

considered props and must not be used. The scene must contain only two characters with equal sharing of dialogue.

An introduction by one or both students is required to set the scene, and a resolution of the conflict must be

evident at the end of the scene. No profanity, sexual innuendo, or excessive physicality (i.e. pushing, shoving,

striking) will be tolerated. Contestants are to remain outside of the room until it is their time to perform. Once they

have finished with their performance they must remain in the room until the round is complete. Topics will

The scene must be a self-contained unit holding together a story itself. Students must resolve the conflict presented

in the topic. Criteria for judging include teamwork of the actors, timing, movement, consistent characterization,

good speaking skills, pantomime of props, and the comedic or dramatic effect of the scene on the audience.

Novice Interpretation – The rules are the same for Prose and / or Poetry Interpretation. Contestants may select either prose, poetry or a combination of the two. Contestants in this event may not enter Prose Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation.

Novice Public Address – Contestants may present an Original Oratory or After Dinner Speech. The rules are the same as listed above for those events. Contestants may not enter this event if they are entered in original oratory or after dinner speaking.

Original Oratory – Contestants will present an original speech either persuasive or informative in nature on any appropriate subject. The content must be written by the contestant and not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing. Such quotations shall be identified in the typewritten copy and indicated during the presentation. Plagiarism is not acceptable. The speech must be delivered from memory. Notes are not permitted.

Poetry Interpretation – Each contestant will present a program of poetic literature. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. Programs may consist of published single or multiple selections. Plays and film scripts are not permitted. Manuscripts are required.

Prose Interpretation – Each contestant will present a program of published prose literature. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Plays and film scripts are not permitted. Manuscripts are required.

Sales Speaking – Each contestant will present an original speech whose purpose is to promote and or sell to the audience a realistic tangible manufactured legal brand-named product or service. The speech must be memorized. No more than 300 words of the speech may be direct quotations or statistics taken from another source. The contestant has a maximum of three minutes to set up their display. Anything over three minutes must be deducted from their overall speaking time. Visual aids are required, but the actual product need not be used. Contestants should persuade the audience as well as sell the product. It is not intended to be a sales pitch only. Notes are not permitted.

Storytelling – Each contestant will present a single published, printed story, anecdote, tale, myth or legend which must be retold without notes or props. The delivery must be memorized, not read. No book or script may be used. The contestant must not materially change the content of the story. Contestants may sit on the floor, stand or use a limited amount of room for movement. No chairs can be used. Original introductory remarks are permitted. Time limit for this event will be 5 – 8 minutes with a thirty second grace period. Contestants going over or under the permitted time may not be ranked first in that round.

Lincoln – Douglas Debate – The resolution to be debated will be a proposition of value rather than a proposition of policy. Debaters are to develop argumentation on the resolution based on conflicting underlying values and principals to support their position. To that end they are not responsible for practical application. No plan is required. The resolution for Lincoln – Douglas will be the official national topic for September / October which will be released on December 1, 2009. Contestants from the same school may not meet in preliminary rounds if the number of entries permits. Contestants will be randomly paired for preliminary rounds. The highest ranking debaters will be selected for the elimination rounds based on their win/loss record, then total speaker points. In the case of a tie, high and low points will be dropped. In the case of an uneven number of entries, the tournament director is authorized to devise a schematic with byes randomly assigned to the participating teams. Teams receiving a bye will be arbitrarily assigned a win for the round and be given their average speaker points and ranks for the preliminary rounds. There are to be no observers until the final round. Constructive speeches should be original speeches written by the contestants. The following time limits will be used:

Public Forum Debate – The debate topic will be the official national high school debate question for the month which will be released on January 1, 2010. A school’s entries are to be capable of debating both sides of the resolution. Teams from the same school may not meet each other in the preliminary rounds if the number of entries permits. All rounds will be randomly paired. Teams will be selected for the elimination rounds using the following criteria, in order: win-loss records, lowest total combined rank, highest total combined speaker points. In the case of an uneven number of entries, the tournament director is authorized to devise a schematic with byes randomly assigned to the participating teams. Teams receiving a bye will be arbitrarily assigned a win for the round and be given their average speaker points and ranks for the preliminary rounds. The format will be:

The two minute preparation rule will be in effect. At the expiration of a team’s preparation time, the stopwatch will be started for that team’s next speech. There may be no observers until the final round of debate.

Student Congress – Each contestant will write a bill or resolution and submit it in advance to the tournament director. A student may not participate in Congress without submitting a bill or resolution. A student may submit more than one bill or resolution but must designate their primary piece of legislation. It is necessary for all contestants to have knowledge of parliamentary procedure and the rules for this event. Each bill or resolution must be written in the appropriate format. Each school that has entries in Student Congress will receive a copy of all bills and resolutions to be debated prior to the tournament. A seating chart will be prepared in advance based on the names of students submitting bills / resolutions. At the beginning of each session the Parliamentarian will conduct an election to select a Presiding Officer who will preside over the Congress session. Contestants will be scored by each of the judges based on their participation, the effectiveness of their speeches and their ability to use parliamentary procedure. Election procedures for awards will be conducted by a Parliamentarian and the tournament director.

The presiding officer shall be elected secret ballot. The PO will be elected by a simple majority vote. The PO shall follow parliamentary procedure. He or she will consider bills and resolutions in the order in which they are placed on the docket unless rules are suspended through parliamentary procedure. It is the responsibility of the PO to keep time, recognize speakers, maintain order, and keep record of the number of times each member has spoken. The PO must gavel down a speaker at 3 ¼ minutes. The PO may not relinquish the chair to debate.

The author of the bill or resolution shall be recognized to open the debate with and “authorship speech,” but thereafter he or she shall be given no special speaking consideration. The “authorship speech” is to be no more than three minutes in length and should explain why the members of Congress should support the bill or resolution. A mandatory two minutes of questioning by the members will follow the authorship speech. Questions should be brief and to the point. A two-minute questioning period is not applicable to amendment authorship speeches.

Members wishing to make a speech following the authorship speech must be recognized by the PO before speaking. Members shall claim the floor only if they wish to speak on the opposite position of the preceding speaker. An affirmative speech must be followed by a negative speech and a negative speech must be followed by and affirmative. Speeches may be made on the same position only if there is no one who wishes to speak in opposition.

All speeches are limited to three minutes, including questions. When a speaker has made three speeches (this does not include questions or motions) he or she may not be called upon during that session by the PO unless no other member wishes to speak.

A member may not yield any portion of his or her speaking time to another member except for a question. If a member wishes to ask a question, he or she should rise and say, “Mister/Madam Speaker (President) will the speaker yield for a question?” The chair then asks the speaker if he or she wishes to yield. If not, the questioner will resume his or her seat and should not interrupt again. If the speaker yields, ask one question quickly and concisely. A speaker may choose to answer questions only after completing a speech, if there is time remaining.

The correct way to obtain the floor is to rise immediately upon conclusion of speaker’s remarks and say, “Mr. (Madam) Speaker (President).” If recognized, the member may then proceed to make a motion or present a speech. Only the member recognized by the PO may speak.

Under no circumstances is a member allowed to argue with the PO. If a member believes the PO has made a serious error, he or she can “Rise to a point of Parliamentary Procedure.” The PO will respond by saying, “State your point.” If a member still does not agree with the PO he or she may “Appeal the decision of the chair.” This motion requires a second. The member making the appeal may explain his or her reason. The PO may respond. A vote is then taken and it is the final decision. The Parliamentarian is the final authority on rules, but should only intercede when absolutely necessary. The Parliamentarian should not interfere with or influence the Congress session.

The motion for “previous question” should not be overworked. As long as a member has something to say that advances the debate, he or she should be given the opportunity to say it. When no one wishes to speak, a vote should be taken. It is not necessary to “move to previous question” to take a vote.

When referring to another participant, use the following titles: “Senator…” or “Representative…”

A bill or resolution may be amended. Amendments must be in writing and state exactly the words to be added or stricken out. The amendment is to be given to the Presiding Officer. The PO will, at his or her discretion, and usually – but not exclusively following a negative speech – announce that he or she has an amendment on the floor. The PO will then read the amendment and identify the author. The PO will ask for a second. It may be considered only upon a second of 1/3 of the members. If the amendment does not receive the required second, debate continues with the next appropriate speech. If the amendment is seconded, the author of the amendment is entitled to a three minute speech in favor of the amendment; however, there is no mandatory two minute period of questioning. Debate will then alternate for and against until the amendment is voted on. If passed, debate is now on the amended bill or resolution. If the amendment fails, debate returns to the unamended bill or resolution.

4. First line of a bill: “Be it Enacted by the Student Congress assembled that…”

5. The first line of a resolution (after each Whereas clause): “Be it Resolved by the Student Congress assembled that…”

A bill, if enacted, has the force of law. It tells in an imperative mood what policy is to be adopted, when it is to go into effect, who is to oversee its implementation and enforcement, and what penalties are to be assessed for violations.

A resolution is a recommendation of action and has no enforcement or penalty clause. It expresses a conviction or belief and usually centers debate on the broad principles of a concept. It does not carry the force of law.

A resolution has whereas clauses, but a bill does not. A bill is written in sections, but a resolution is not. Both should focus on national or state issues of importance.

The members of Congress will vote at the end of the final session to select the Best Presiding Officer.

Immediately following the conclusion of the balloting, the results are to be turned in to the Tab Room. NO results are to be discussed with the contestants.

2. Section 1: All candidates for the office of President and Vice-President of the United States must

3. make their medical records public at the time they announce their candidacies.

4. Section 2: Every two months after that time until the general election they must re-release their

6. Section 3: Any candidates failing to comply with the above section will face a fine of $5000.00 for

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