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Biblical Thematic

Rules

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Biblical Thematic Rules

Event Rules, which include the corresponding linked definitions, set the boundaries for what is allowed within the competition space and time for the specified event. These rules apply under the umbrella of our Tournament Participation Policies, Judge Policies, Compliance Policies, and our overarching League Affiliation Policies.

  • Biblical Thematic Description

    Speakers perform a themed collection of texts consisting of Scripture and other literary works. The primary purpose of the performance is to develop a biblical theme through Scripture, complementary literature, and optional visual aid(s).

  • Speech General Rules

    A. General Rules for All Speeches

    Updated August 4, 2026. All rules will be finalized by the end of October for the 2026-27 competition season.

    1. Mission Alignment. Speeches must be in alignment with the NCFCA Mission Statement. Any speech content that advocates a position counter to the Foundational Beliefs of the league will not be allowed in competition. 
      1. Content. All content must be free from vulgar, heinous, sexually explicit, obscene, profane, or inappropriate material. This includes explicit and implied language or gestures.
      2. Disclaimer. Any speech that contains potentially intense or sensitive themes or examples must be preceded by this disclaimer: “This speech contains potentially intense or sensitive material.”  The speaker should then allow any time necessary for audience members to exit the room if they choose to do so.
      3. Theme. Any dark themes must provide a redemptive element.
    2. Presentation.
      1. Pre-show. A pre-show is not permitted. 
      2. Professionalism. Only feet are permitted to intentionally touch the floor at any time. Gymnastics is not permitted.
      3. Additional items. Costumes and visual aids are not permitted. (The visual aids in Biblical Presentation/Thematic and the slides in Digital Presentation are exceptions.)
    3. Interaction. Requesting verbal or physical participation (e.g., raising hand, clapping, verbal responses, closing eyes) from audience members, including judges, is not permitted. 
    4. Electronic Devices. Competitors may not access electronic devices to prepare the speech or conduct research during the round. Requesting, sending, or receiving information is also prohibited.

  • Speech Event Rule Violation Penalties

    The following penalties will be applied for confirmed rule violations as described below.

    • Relatively minor issues, generally relating to timing of prep time or speech time: 2-Rank Penalty 
    • Rule violations that are not likely to have created a significant competitive advantage: 4-Rank Penalty
    • Rule violations that have the potential to create a significant competitive advantage: Eight-rank Penalty.
    • Speeches that violate Academic Integrity Rules, Missional Rules or League Affiliation Policies are subject to penalties up to and including disqualification of the speech from further competition.

  • Biblical Thematic Event Rules

    A. General Rules for All Speeches (see above or ncfca.org/rules/speech-general-rules)

    B. Academic Integrity

    1. CITATIONS. All material presented in the commentary sections must be either the competitors’ original work or include the source(s) for any supporting material. Plagiarism is not permitted.
        1. Verbal mention. Sources must be verbally mentioned.
        2. Works Cited Page. Sources must be included on a Works Cited page in the Format 1 script.
    2. CURRENT SEASON. Speeches used for competition in a prior season may not be used in any other competition season.
    3. RECITED SCRIPT. The submitted script must be recited during all competition rounds. (See Speech Competition Entry Limits here.)
    4. CHAMPIONSHIPS. During the Regional Championship or the National Championship, competitors must perform the same piece that they performed when they earned the invitation to compete at the championship tournament. Only minor changes are permitted.
    5. DELIVERY. The vocal and physical delivery must primarily be developed by the competitor.

    C. Content, Preparation, and Presentation

    1. SCRIPTURE SELECTION. At least one (1) Scripture selections must be presented. (Scripture selections are not cut.)
    2. LITERARY SELECTION. In addition to the Scripture Selection(s), one (1) or more literary works must be explored to develop a biblical theme.
      1. LITERARY WORKS. Competitors may only choose selections from the following types of literary works. (See linked definitions.)
        1. published literature selection,
        2.  a published nonfictional oration, 
        3. and/or an original literary work.
      2. Tunes. Any tune (humming, whistling, etc) may be used at any time in the speech and must be verbally mentioned in the introduction. (Note that the Works Cited Rule B.1.b applies.)
    3. COMMENTARY SECTIONS.
      1. Word count. Up to 350 words may be added in the commentary sections.
      2. Verbal mention. Competitors must verbally mention the sources for the selections in the commentary section before the presentation of that selection. 
        1. Scripture selection. The book, chapter, and (if applicable) verse range must be verbally mentioned immediately before the selection(s).
        2. Published literary work and original literary work. The title and author must be verbally mentioned.
        3. Published nonfictional oration. The orator and date must be verbally mentioned.
      3. Introduction. The introduction is required and must include the verbal mention of the Scripture selection.
      4. Conclusion. Any words added as a conclusion must be the final words presented.
      5. Clear distinction. Clear distinction must be made from the Scripture selection.
      6. Original dialogue. Original dialogue must not be assigned to a biblical character.
    4. CUTTING THE LITERARY WORKS. (Scripture selections are not cut.)
      1. No new sentences. Single words from separate sentences may not be strung together to create new sentences. An author’s sentences may not be changed except for:
        1. combining or rearranging phrases from several nearby sentences.
      2. No new words. Competitors may not add words to the author’s text except for:
        1. adding a single word from another part of the author’s text for scene or paragraph transitions or character identification.
        2. repeating an author’s words even when the author does not do so.
        3. pronoun substitution, verb conjugation, or changing word form.
      3. No new characters. Reassigning one character’s lines to another existing character from the literary work selection is permitted, but creating new characters (including changing the name and/or gender of an existing character) is not permitted.
    5. MUSIC.
      1. Singing/Lyrics.
        1. Word count. Sung words may comprise up to 150 words of the speech. 
        2. Source. Only lyrics in the author’s text may be used within the literary work selection. Lyrics from the author’s text or another source may be used in the commentary sections. (Note that Rule B.1.a-b applies.)
      2. Tunes. Any non-original tune (humming, whistling, singing, etc) may be used at any time in the speech and must be verbally mentioned in the introduction.
        1. This includes tunes in the literary work selection.
        2. All non-original tunes must be listed in the Work Cited page. (See Rule B.1.b.)
    6. SCRIPT USE. Competitors must announce script use before the speech begins.
      1. Non-championship tournaments. Script use will result in a four-rank penalty.
      2. Championship tournaments. Script use at a Regional or National Championship will result in disqualification from the event.
    7. SCRIPT SUBMISSION. Every interpretation speech requires two types of scripts: the Format 1 and the Format 2.
    8. VISUAL AIDS. One or more visual aid(s) of the competitor’s choice must be used during the speech. (This is an exception to Rule A.2.c.)
      1. Box. The visual aid(s) must be able to fit into a lidded box with overall dimensions (length + width + height) of up to 35 inches. The box is not required to be in the competition room but must be present at the tournament.
      2. Limitations. The visual aid(s) may not be live animals, weapons (real or perceived as dangerous), electronics or battery-operated items, hazardous materials (including open flames), or substances that could be spilled and/or left behind on the floor (e.g., poured liquids, glitter, sand, etc.).
      3. Beginning. Until the timer starts the speech, all visual aids must be either in the box held in hands, in the box on the floor visible to the judges, OR held in hands visible to the judges.

    D. Timing Rules in Biblical

    1. SPEECH TIME. Speech time is limited to ten (10) minutes.
      1. Show/Start. Show the timepiece (set to count up) to the judges. Start the timer.
      2. Kept running. The timepiece must be started before beginning the speech and kept running until the conclusion of the speech.
      3. Stop/Show. Stop the timer. Then show the judges the final speech time.
    2. Time Slot. Competitors must present their speech during their prescribed 15-minute slot and are not permitted to infringe on the next competitor’s scheduled time.

    See the head judge guidelines for timer issues here.

    E. Online General Rules (see below or ncfca.org/rules/online-general-rules)