Learn More About Stoa USA at the Main WebsiteApologetics speech (aka Apol) – a limited-preparation event in which the speaker is given four minutes to prepare a six-minute speech on a topic related to defending his or her faith (topics are available at Apologetic Topics).
Break – to make it past the preliminary rounds in a tournament; all rounds after prelims.
Dramatic Interpretation speech (aka DI) – an interpretive speech that creatively explores and develops the intellectual, emotional, and artistic embodiment of a single dramatic work/selection of literature.
Duo Interpretation speech (aka Duo) – two students create an original rendition from a single piece of literature which captivates and moves the audience.
Expository speech (aka Expos) – an original platform speech that “exposes” or explains a particular topic through the use of visual aids (must be an original work, scripted word for word).
Extemporaneous speech (aka Extemp) – a limited-preparation event where the speaker is given 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech on a current event topic.
Flowing – a debate term used for note-taking during a debate round.
Flowsheet – the notes taken during a debate round.
Humorous Interpretation speech (aka HI) – an interpretive speech that creatively explores and develops the intellectual, emotional, and artistic embodiment of a single humorous work/selection.
Individual Events – (aka IE) – another name for speech events (usually used at a tournament)
Interpretative speech (aka Interp) – a category of speeches that creatively explore and develop the intellectual, emotional, and artistic embodiment of a piece of literature (theater of the mind) without using costumes, props, and scenery
Impromptu speech – a limited-preparation speech in which the speaker is given two minutes to prepare a five-minute speech on a randomly drawn topic. This is not a NITOC qualifying event, but some tournaments may offer Novice Impromptu.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate (aka LD) – one-on-one debate (named after the famous debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln). Although Douglas and Lincoln debated matters of policy, the core of their advocacy always involved a clash of values. The current competitive season’s resolutions are posted LD resolution link.
Limited Prep speech – a category of original speeches which are prepared on the spot. The student picks three topics from an envelope or on top of the desk, chooses one, and returns the other two. The student then prepares the speech according to the time allocated for the event. Each speech should be a fresh, unique, original presentation which is developed from the chosen topic.
Mars Hill Impromptu – a limited preparation speech where the competitor has four minutes to prepare a six-minute impromptu speech analyzing themes of specific culturally significant artistic genres and holding them up in light of the truths of Christianity found in the Bible. The current competitive season’s topics are posted at Mars Hill Topics.
NITOC (pronounced /NIGH-TOCK/) is also known as the National Invitational Tournament of Champions. For speech, a student must earn TWO green checkmarks by placing in the top 40% of competitors in a specific speech at two tournaments. For debate, a student must earn TWO green checkmarks by having a winning debate record in at least two tournaments. A detailed explanation can be found at Stoa NITOC Invitations.
Open Interpretation speech (aka OI) – an interpretive speech that creatively explores and develops the intellectual, emotional, and artistic embodiment of any type of literature (this may include original work, unpublished work by others, or traditional published material)
Original Oratory speech (aka OO) – an original platform speech given on any topic the speaker chooses (must be an original work, scripted word for word).
Parliamentary Debate (aka Parli) – an extemporaneous two-on-two debate where teams debate resolutions that they receive 20 minutes before the round. The limited prep time sets the stage for a competitive forum that emphasizes rigorous argumentation, logical analysis, quick thinking, breadth of knowledge, and rhetorical ability over the preparation of evidence.
Persuasive speech – an original platform speech intended to persuade the audience to adopt a particular point of view or course of action (must be an original work, scripted word for word).
Platform speech – a category of speeches that is researched and written by the student and is not literary in nature.
Qualifying Tournament – an official tournament sanctioned by Stoa. Tournaments can be found at Stoa Tournament Calendar.
Speechranks – a website that posts tournament results and calculates national speech and debate rankings. NITOC invitations are sent based on the data from Speechranks.
Team Policy Debate (aka TP) – two-person teams debating a resolution that calls for a change in policy regarding a current political issue. The current season’s policy debate topic is posted on Team Policy current resolution. During a debate, the affirmative team will advocate the resolution by proposing a specific plan to accomplish the goal stated in the resolution while the negative team will oppose the resolution and the specific plan of the affirmative team.
Wildcard event – Individual speech events that are specific for that tournament season. The 2022-2023 wildcard event is Interp in a Box.