The Maine Catholic Forensic League Diocese (CFL) and Poland High School cordially invites all members of the Maine CFL organization to attend the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Qualifying Speech and Debate Tournament at Poland High School on Saturday, January 30, 2016. Please read through all the information in the invitation carefully in order to facilitate a safe and speedy tournament.
Entries
Entry Limits
At this time, the diocese has three qualifiers this year in each category. The tournament will not have entry limits.
Events
There will be qualifiers in the following categories:
- Student Congress
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Public Forum Debate
- Extemporaneous Speaking
- Oral Interpretation of Literature
- Dramatic Interpretation of Literature
- Duo Interpretation of Literature
- Original Oratory
- Oratorical Declamation (freshman and sophomore standing only)
There is no double entering at this tournament.
There are no novice levels at this tournament.
Every attempt will be made to run every category. If a category has fewer than four competitors, the students entered in the category are the national qualifiers by default. However, all students should be prepared to compete during the tournament. A student must be entered and present in order to obtain their spot to nationals.
Event Descriptions and Topics
In the event of a challenge, a competitor must present competitive material (debate evidence or speech cutting). It is the coach’s responsibility to bring copies of all competitive material.
For official event descriptions, refer to the National Catholic Forensic League web site.
Since NCFL recognizes some competitive categories different than those run during the regular Maine season, note the descriptions of each category with differences:
Student Congress
Group assembly that debates legislation. There is no Senate and House designation.
Students will debate the docket used for the 2016 Maine State Championship Tournament. If a student wants to submit a new bill, contact the tournament host D’arcy Robinson to request accommodation.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Single individual debate based on values and philosophy. Uses the national resolution from the National Speech and Debate Association:
(January/February resolution) Resolved: In the United States, private ownership of handguns ought to be banned.
Public Forum Debate
Paired team debate centered on current event issues. Uses the national resolution from the National Speech and Debate Association:
(February resolution) Resolved: The United States federal government should adopt a carbon tax.
Dramatic Performance
Selection from a published source, either dramatic or humorous in nature. Ten minutes maximum including an introduction; no minimum. Memorized.
Duo Interpretation of Literature
Selection from a published source, either dramatic or humorous in nature with two presenters portraying two or more characters. Ten minutes maximum in length including an introduction; no minimum. Memorized.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Limited preparation event based on current event topics selected a half hour prior to speaking. Speeches answer a question concerning either domestic and foreign topics. Seven minutes maximum in length with citations included in the flow of composition; no minimum. Memorized.
Round-by-round topics will mirror those used at the 2016 Maine State Championship Tournament:
Domestic
Round 1 Elections
Round 2 The economy
Round 3 Immigration
Round 4 This week in the news
Foreign
Round 1 China
Round 2 The economy
Round 3 The other Americas
Round 4 This week in the news
Oral Interpretation of Literature
A program event with alternating rounds of poetry and prose from published sources. First round genre determined at the tournament. Ten minutes maximum in length including an introduction; no minimum. Delivered from a manuscript.
Oratorical Declamation
Selection from a publicly delivered speech by another individual. This event is only opened to ninth and tenth grade competitors. Ten minutes maximum in length including an introduction; no minimum. Memorized. No podium allowed.
Original Oratory
Original persuasive speech. Ten minutes maximum in length including with citations included in the flow of composition; no minimum. Memorized.
Registration
Registration must be complete by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 via Tabroom.com. No adds will be accepted after this time.
Judges’ names and area of expertise should also accompany the registration.
Dropping Entries
Drops (students or judges) may be done via Tabroom.com until 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 29 without penalty fee. Drops on the tournament day result in a nuisance fee–fewer drops, fewer delays!
From 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., send drops via email to D’Arcy Robinson at [email protected].
For drops on the day of the tournament call D’Arcy at 207-583-7964 or the MFA hotline 207-370-4MFA as soon as possible.
An entire school drop on the day of the tournament will incur a penalty fee of the entire entry plus the nuisance fees.
Ensure students have their codes before they come to the tournament.
Fees
All speakers: $7.00 per entry
Hired judge: $60.00 per judge (if available)
Drops on tournament day will incur a $10.00 nuisance fee per entry. Entry fees will not be refunded. An entire school drop on the day of the tournament will incur a penalty fee of the entire entry plus the nuisance fees.
Checks and P.O.s should be made out to:
D’Arcy Robinson, CFL Moderator
c/o Poland Regional High Schoo
1457 Maine Street
Poland, Maine 04274
Judge Burdens
Public Forum Debate: One judge per every two entries (a team counts as one entry) or any fraction thereof (e.g. three entries requires two judges). Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: One judge per every two entries (a team counts as one entry) or any fraction thereof (e.g. three entries requires two judges). Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Student Congress: One judge per five entries or fraction thereof. Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Speech: One judge for every three entries (Duo counts as one entry) or any fraction thereof (e.g. seven entries requires three judges). Every other judge must be unaffiliated.
Email questions about judging to D’Arcy at [email protected].
Judge must be present for all rounds for which they are registered. If a judge departs early with no one to cover the remaining rounds, the responsible team will be penalized accordingly.
Awards
National Qualifying medals awarded to the three top contestants in each category. Two alternates will be recognized in case the national qualifier is unable to attend.
Day-of Details
Registration Check-in
Registration check-in will be on the day of the tournament 8:00-8:30 a.m. in the front lobby of Poland Regional High School. Invoices will be prepared after check-in, during the tournament.
Tentative Schedule
Be early! Due to the number of entries we may make schedule adjustments. The schedule will be tightened as much as possible so please be flexible.
8:00-8:30 Registration check-in (get there early)
8:45-9:00 Tournament meeting in theatre
9:15 Round 1: All Events. Student Congress session one.
All Speech and debate students are guaranteed four rounds. Rounds will be posted as quickly as possible. There will be a lunch break after Round 3/Session 1.
Lunch
There will be lunch available for students in the café along with snacks. Coaches and judges will have lunch supplied in the coach’s lounge.
Please respect the signs concerning food allergies in the building. We try to restrict peanut products to the cafe. Also, there is no food in the classrooms—water only.
Tabulation and Lounges
Student lounge: Cafe. Students may not leave campus. They must remain either in the café or in rounds.
Judge lounge: Several rooms on the first floor, rear of building.
Tabulation: Information Center.
Awards: Theater
Directions to Poland Regional High School
Poland Regional High School, 1457 Maine Street, Poland, Maine
Take Interstate 495 to the Gray-New Gloucester exit (60) for Route 26. Take 26 North to PRHS which will be on the left side. It is just past the new Dunkin Donuts and Family Dollar and about nine miles from the exit.
We hope that we have covered all the bases. Feel free to call D’Arcy Robinson at any time if you have questions. We hope to make this a great CFL Tournament for all, and we hope that you will join us.
Sincerely,
D’Arcy F. Robinson, CFL Moderator