OMSSDL is dedicated to providing free high-quality speech and debate opportunities for middle school students in Oregon
OMSSDL is dedicated to providing free high-quality speech and debate opportunities for middle school students in Oregon
We are a non-profit organization that strives to develop and elevate public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership skills in middle school students through speech and debate clubs, workshops, and competitive events.
Where: Lake Oswego Junior High School (2500 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034)
When: December 10th
The goal of our tournaments are to give middle school students the opportunity to compete and connect with one another in a welcoming and educational environment.
Each student can enter one debate format and two individual events (IE). Events are loosely based on high school events; times are reduced from the high school criteria, and students may present from note cards, papers, or electronic notes. Students will typically not be able to access the Internet during rounds.
Thanks to all the volunteers who make these tournament happen! there is no fee associated with this event. However, if you’d like to donate to help cover tournament costs, judging costs, or the cost of awards, it would be much appreciated. All proceeds will be used to support the tournament.
9:15 – 9:45 Check In
9:30 – 9:50 Judge Orientation
10:00 – 10:50 Round 1 Debate
10:50 – 11:30 Round 1 Individual Events
11:30 – 12:20 Round 2 Debate
12:20 – 1:00 Round 2 Individual Events
1:00 – 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:20 Round 3 Debate
2:20 – 3:00 Round 3 Individual Events
3:00 – 3:30 Award Prep
3:30 – 4:00 Award Ceremony
Impromptu: Students are given three topics and are to deliver a speech up to 3 minutes with a 30 second grace period. Contestants may read aloud the topic chosen or may incorporate the topic statement into the speech. Contestants shall have 1 minute to prepare before speaking. Notes, materials or previously prepared speech outlines shall not be allowed as the contestant speaks. Contestants are not allowed to hear the other speakers before them. After contestants have spoken, however, they may remain in the room to hear the speakers who follow. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No internet access is allowed.
Oratory: Students prepare and deliver a speech up to 5 minutes with a 30 second grace period on any topic of their choice. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. The speech should be completely memorized, and students will be judged on their delivery as well as the content of their speech. Speakers may employ materials and language that are graphic, striking and sometimes dramatic – but always with the desire to put the speaker's idea across, not to call attention to the speaker’s techniques. The oration is a speech, not a dramatic reading. The composition is to be the student's original work. No more than one hundred and fifty quoted words including all short words such as “a,” “an,” “the,” etc., may be used.
Interpretive: Students prepare and deliver a speech up to 5 minutes with a 30 second grace period on any topic of their choice, using published materials. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. The speech can be completely memorized, or students can be read from a manuscript or printed page.
Public Forum Debate: 2-person team. Teams prepare original cases with evidence for both sides. Sides are assigned each round. Each team is entitled to two minutes of prep time throughout the round.
Topic: The United States should enforce a maximum age limit for elected government officials.
Parliamentary Debate: 2-person team. Teams will be assigned a side (Proposition or Opposition). The judge reveals a common knowledge topic to both teams. The teams prepare their cases in 10 minutes using only pen and paper and a dictionary – the internet is not allowed. During the debate, each student speaks and during that speech, the opponent can stand to ask a question after the first 30 seconds but before the last 30 seconds. No questioning or new arguments in the rebuttals. This debate includes a time to set the case, a time to make counterarguments and a time to rebut and summarize. There will be no in round prep.
Students may register through their teams– reach out to your team coaches! Interested judges may apply using this form
For questions and comments, please email OMSSSL2017@gmail.com
Come attend our workshops!
Practice and show off your skills at our speech and debate tournaments!
Watch your hard work pay off!