UIL Speech & Debate Event Overview

Event	Time Limit	Synopsis	Delivery
Prose Interpretation	7 Minutes; no grace	oral interpretation of prose	prepare 2 performances from 2 specified categories of literature; documentation of categories often required oral reading not memorized except for the introduction
Poetry Interpretation	7 Minutes; no grace	oral interpretation of poetry	prepare 2 performances from 2 specified categories of literature; documentation of categories often required oral reading not memorized except for the introduction
Informative Speaking	7 Minutes; allowed to finish sentence	speech is informative in nature	the speaker draws 5 current event topics chooses one on which to speak after 30 minutes of preparation time 1 3 x 5 notecard allowed
Persuasive Speaking	7 Minutes; allowed to finish sentence	speech is persuasive in nature	the speaker draws 5 current event topics chooses one on which to speak after 30 minutes of preparation time 1 3 x 5 notecard allowed
Lincoln-Douglas Debate	6-3-7-3-4-6-3 4 minute preparation	one person on each side debating value resolutions	UIL fall topic used August - December Spring topic used January - May Topic available on UIL website
Cross-Examination Debate	8-3-8-3-8-3-8-3-5-5-5-5 8 minute preparation	two-member teams debating policy question	Topic released each January for the following year Broad national topic remains the same all year Topic available on UIL website
Congress	3 hour sessions	Participating schools author bills and resolutions which are considered for debate; legislative contestants are divided into chambers where their speeches are scored	Extemporaneous