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Speech Definitions

The following definitions are offered to define key terms used in the NCFCA speech rules and clarify how some common terms are used in conversations about speech.

Speech DefinitionsDebate Definitions

Definitions

Speech Definitions

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League Policies

Understand the guidelines and regulations that govern NCFCA competitions and events. Familiarize yourself with our policies to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all participants. 

  • Costumes

    Any item(s) worn in addition to the competitor’s tournament attire.

  • Drawing the topic

    Either picking up the card from the judges’ table with the competitor’s name on it or selecting the electronic card on the screen (in a limited prep event)

  • Format 1 Interpretation Script

    The Format 1 Interpretation script is uploaded in .pdf (preferred), .doc, .docx, .jpg, or .png format as part of the script submission process. 

    1. It must reflect every word in the speech. This includes the words “cut” from the author’s work and the added words for the narrative sections in the speech. 
    2. It must also include a Works Cited page if any supporting material is used in the narrative sections. (See Works Cited definition.) 

  • Format 1 Platform Script

    The Format 1 Platform script is uploaded in .pdf (preferred), .doc, .docx, .jpg, or .png format as part of the script submission process. 

    1. It must reflect every word in the speech. 
    2. It must also include a Works Cited page if any supporting material is used. (See Works Cited definition.)

  • Format 2 Interpretation Script

    The Format 2 Interpretation script is uploaded in .pdf (preferred), .doc, .docx, .jpg, or .png format as part of the script submission process. It is a photo/scanned copy of all pages used from the original source material, highlighting each of the words used in the Format 1 Script.

  • Format 2 Platform Script

    Only applies to the digital presentation event. It is uploaded in .pdf (preferred), .doc, .docx, .jpg, or .png format as part of the script submission process. It includes any test slides, the digital slide presentation, as well as the Works Cited slide(s) for any supporting material used in the slide presentation.

  • Gymnastics

    Acrobatic-type blocking such as flips, cartwheels, leaping over people or objects, etc.

  • Pre-Show

    Rehearsed blocking, synchronized movement, or additional performance prior to the beginning of the timed speech. 

  • Published literature selection

    Published literature is an author’s work that is available to the public. 

    • This includes a written form of a play, prose, or poetry. 
    • This does not include material from blogs or social media, transcriptions (including transcription services) for audio or video recordings, radio, TV, or movies (e.g., dailyscript.com, simplyscripts.com, etc.).

  • Published, nonfictional oration

    Published, nonfictional orations are available to the public and were spoken by a real speaker to a real audience. 

  • Scripture Selection

    Only applies to the Biblical Presentation event. The limitations for competition use include:

    1. Continuous and Consecutive. Scripture selection(s) are one continuous biblical passage from one book. 
    2. Unaltered. Scripture selection(s) must remain unaltered. Chapter headings, commentary, and other words added by the publisher are not considered to be Scripture and must not be included in the selection(s) of Scripture.
    3. Restricted Types. Only traditional Bibles may be used (i.e., chronological or topical Bibles may not be used). Only KJV, NKJV, ESV, NIV, or NASB translations may be used.

  • Supporting Material

    Any information, details, research, theories, stories, lyrics, tunes, or ideas obtained from another person or source–whether directly quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.  Any material written by artificial intelligence and similar technologies (e.g. ChatGPT, etc.) is not original and should be cited. While supporting material should be cited, common knowledge that is known to most people does not need to be cited in any way (e.g., George Washington was the first U.S. President, Jesus rose on the third day,etc.).

  • Test Speech Definition

    Definition description, this is just placeholder text

  • Visual Aids

    Items used to enhance the speech. In an online tournament, this also includes green screens, virtual backgrounds, or on-screen text.

  • Works Cited page

    A separate page that lists all supporting material.

  • Works Cited slide(s)

    A slide or slides that lists the sources of all the non-original visual content in the slide presentation.