Carolina Speech and Debate follows Stoa guidelines for all Varsity speech events. Please visit the Stoa website to find the rules, ballots, and explanations for each event.

The age range for Varsity speech events is 12-18. Your child’s age is evaluated as of October 1st each year. Therefore, if your child turns 12 on October 2nd, for our club, and our national league (Stoa), their age for the year would still be 11.

The various speech event types are as follows:
Platform Speeches
A prepared speech, written by the competitor, with the purpose of informing, exposing, or persuading on a topic. Events: Expository, Original Oratory, Persuasive

Interpretative Speeches
In all interpretive events, competitors write, or select and analyze literature, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression, without the aid of costumes or props. Events: Duo, Open, Literary

Limited Prep Speeches
Competitors get a limited time to prepare for a speech on a topic that is given to them at the speech event. Preparation before the tournament is described in the event rules. Events: Apologetics, Extemporaneous, Mars Hill, Impromptu

Wild Card Events
New and unique speech events that are offered on a two-year rotation meant to challenge competitors in their preparation and presentation skills. Events: Slam Poetry, Storytelling

*Please note that not all tournaments will offer all events.