Our speech program is designed to challenge young people to communicate truth with integrity and grace. Each event offers unique educational opportunities that promote critical thinking, research, literary analysis, and effective delivery.
PLATFORM SPEECHES
Digital Presentation is an original platform speech that informs or persuades and is accompanied by digital visual aids.
Informative is an original platform speech that explains a significant topic.
Persuasive is an original platform speech that influences the audience to consider a particular point of view or course of action.
After Dinner Speaking is an original humorous platform speech that informs, inspires, and/or attempts to persuade the audience on a noteworthy topic.
INTERPRETATION SPEECHES
Biblical Presentation is an interpretation speech in which the speaker creatively develops one or two selections of Scripture to present a unique and original performance using a visual aid, if desired.
Duo is an interpretation speech in which two speakers explore a published literature selection and develop a unique, original performance.
Open is an interpretation speech in which the speaker explores a published or self-authored literature selection and develops a unique, original performance.
LIMITED PREPARATION SPEECHES
Apologetics is a limited preparation speech in which the speaker draws a topic and is given four minutes to prepare a six-minute speech that presents a well-reasoned defense of basic tenets of the Christian faith.
Extemporaneous is a limited preparation speech in which the speaker is assigned a current event topic and given twenty minutes to analyze news and other sources while preparing a seven minute, evidence-based speech.
Impromptu is a limited preparation speech in which the speaker draws a topic and is given two minutes to prepare a unique and meaningful five-minute speech.
Our debate program is designed to challenge young people to communicate truth with integrity and grace. Each style offers unique educational opportunities that promote organizational skills, logical argumentation, respectful refutation, and effective delivery.
Debate Categories
Lincoln-Douglas VALUE DEBATE
One debater affirms the resolution while another opposes or negates it, demonstrating a clash of competing but morally defensible values. This style of debate simulates the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.
2022 Resolution
In the context of innovation, the proactionary principle ought to be valued above the precautionary principle.
TEAM POLICY DEBATE
A team of two debaters proposes a specific plan to accomplish the goal stated in the resolution while another team of two debaters opposes the plan and/or the resolution. This form of debate simulates argumentation in a legislative body.
2022 Resolution
The United States Federal Government should significantly reform its policy regarding convicted prisoners under federal jurisdiction.
MOOT COURT
A team of two debaters presents legal arguments to appeal the decision in a fictional court case while an opposing team of two students responds with legal arguments to defend the fictional decision. This form of debate is designed to simulate oral argument before an appellate court.
