Welcome!Thank you for coming!Rev 01-2013

“… trains Christian, homeschooled youth in speech and debate, in order to better communicate a biblical worldview.”

Stoa…

12 – 18 years of age From multiple states Compete in multiple events including debate Improve communication skills Develop friendships Desire to impact their culture

Students…

Everyone is experienced! No discussion with speakers May be multiple judges in the room Be responsive! No consultation with one another Set aside personal bias and expertise

Judges…

Turn off cell phonesSit near front and centerAudience members may come and goStudents may speak out of listed orderJudges stay until every student has spokenWrite on ballots after each speech.

The experience…

Speeches are timed No minimum time limits No required penalties for overtime

Time…

INTERPRETIVE

Dramatic Humorous Open Duo

Speech events…LIMITED PREP

Impromptu*Extemp ApologeticsMars Hill

PLATFORMOriginal Oratory Persuasive Expository

WILDCARDStorytelling Broadcasting

A prepared speech, written by the competitor with the purpose of informing, exposing, entertaining, inspiring, or persuading on a topic.

PLATFORM

PLATFORMOriginal Oratory Persuasive Expository

•MemorizedWide open Elementsofpersuasion

Visualsand propsallowed

INTERPRETIVE•Author and title identified•Memorized

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 use of costumes or props.

Serious

INTERPRETIVEDramatic Humorous Open Duo

Light-hearted

2 speakers = 1 speechNo direct contact

Multiple pieces allowedDramatic or humorousMay be written by studentOne prop allowed

LIMITED PREP•Spontaneously prepared•Varied time limits•Topic stated by student•Copy of topics/questions provided

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.

Current event question answered 30 minutes of prep time (in a separate room) 7-minute speech 3 x5 card allowed Timekeeper provided

LIMITED PREPExtemp Mars Hill Apologetics Impromptu*

• Connects and bridges culture with Christian truth• May use a notebook to prepare • May use a single note card during speech• 4 minutes to prepare a 6 minute speech• A judge issues topics• Timekeeper provided

LIMITED PREPExtemp Mars Hill Apologetics Impromptu*

Defends Christian faith 4 minutes to prepare a 6-minute speech A judge issues topics Multiple note cards allowed Timekeeper provided Judges required to attend additional five minute orientation

LIMITED PREPExtemp Mars Hill Impromptu*Apologetics

2 minutes to prepare a 5-minute speech A judge issues topics No notes allowed Timekeeper provided

LIMITED PREPExtemp Mars Hill Apologetics Impromptu*

WILDCARDWILDCARDS• Limited time events• Two choices – • Storytelling• Broadcasting

WILDCARDStorytelling• Theme selected by tournament• Story told in student’s own words• Emphasis on narration• Chair may be used• 8 minute time limit• Timekeeper provided

• Competitor presents newscast and commercial• Script and/or laptop may be used• Speaker seated at table• 15 minute prep time (in a separate room)• 5 minute speech

WILDCARDBroadcasting

Tabulation Ballot: Rank.

THE BALLOTS…

Two Types:

Student Ballots:Evaluate and Educate

• Please read rules on reverse side • This tabulation ballot is not seen by students

Tabulation ballot…

Two Goals: • Evaluate Rate and rank students• Educate Tell what works and what doesn’t

The STUDENT Ballot…

GENERAL INFORMATION• Copy speaker, room, and round from tab ballot• Judge = you!• Duration = length of speech• Jot down topic

EVALUATE•Analyze each component of the speech•Mark with a +, –, or EDUCATE•Write comments as appropriate

+

+

+

++

+

++–

–

–

–

+

Cicero

Brutus

Marc Antony

EVALUATE•Rank speakers as you go along•Stacking ballots is a simple way to do this•Time is limited•Write initial feedback on student ballot

After You have heard all the speakers…

Go immediately to the Ballot Check-in room. Do not confer with others. Questions? Ask the Orienter by Ballot Check.

EVALUATE•Rank speakers from 1st to last

Marc Antony

Brutus

Cicero

Cleopatra

Demosthenes

Patrick Henry

Margaret Thatcher

Winston Churchill

Life on the Nile

Greek fast food

Latin oration

Give me Liberty

Loyalty

Parliament

Never give up!

Friendship 5

7

3

2

8

1

4

6

6

EVALUATE•Rank speakers from 1st to last •If no penalty, fill in the final rank•If there is a penalty, ask for assistance at Ballot Check-in•There can be no ties

Marc Antony

Brutus

Cicero

Cleopatra

Demosthenes

Patrick Henry

Margaret Thatcher

Winston Churchill

Life on the Nile

Greek fast food

Latin oration

Give me Liberty

Loyalty

Parliament

Never give up!

Friendship 5

7

3

2

8

14

5

7

3

2

8

14

6

PENALTIES?•Note any violations. •Add penalty points, if applicable.

Circle the final rank on the student ballot.For ranks of 5th, 6th, 7th or lower – circle“#5 Fifth & below.”

EDUCATEReason for ranking-• Compared to others in round Comments-• Something done well• Something needing improvement

When ballot is complete…

Turn into ballot checkers Wait for them to be reviewed

We hope that you enjoy your experience here!Thank you!!

ApologeticsThe term apologetics comes from the Classical Greek word apologia, which means to give an explanation or defense.

Christian apologetics is a rational, thoughtful defense of the theological tenets of Christianity.

The event• Unique to Christian Homeschooling

• Total of 145 questions

• Six Categories • Existence of God

• Authority of Scripture

• Person of Christ

• Destiny and Purpose of Man

• Salvation or How to Know God

• Christianity Compared

• Prepared Card File Box

The Purpose• The purpose of Apologetics is to train

students to study and defend the core issues of their faith and be prepared to defend what they believe.

• In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (English Standard Version)

• Apologetics does not equal Evangelism. They compliment each other but they are not synonymous.

The DefinitionsApologetics:Systematic argumentative discourse in defense

(as of a doctrine) : a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity.

(Merriam-Webster.com)

Evangelism: Zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel. (Wordnet.com)

The GoalApologetics is a thoughtful, intellectual,

analysis of a question of faith or doctrine.

It is not necessarily a presentation of the gospel or an overt evangelistic opportunity.

The end goal is for students to understand the rational basis for their faith and to be able to defend and communicate theological truth to others.

The Competition• Students enter the room and receive

three topics.

• They have four minutes to prepare a six minute speech on one of the topics.

• During their prep time they may use their Bible and/or the card file they have prepared ahead of time.

• During their speech they may use as many cards as they need.

The AudienceRules state:

Judges should be sympathetic to the ideals of Stoa but…

“The question or topic should be approached from an apologetic perspective and the speaker should craft his/her response as if the audience is not sympathetic to the message being presented.”

This Means…The student should…

• Explain ideas without “Christian jargon.” Use common words.

• Provide a rational and researched defense of truth.

• Not assume the audience agrees with them.

• Instead assume the audience is genuinely curious about the issue or question. Don’t minimize the issue.

The CriteriaContent trumps delivery. Apologetics is a unique event.

Content is the essence. Delivery is peripheral. The student should:

• Use Scripture –God’s Word is the foundation for all that we believe. It is powerful!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version, ©2011)

• Use outside sources to back up claims.

• Have a humble and winsome spirit.

• Answer the question! Have intellectual integrity.

Finally…

Give the student helpful critique.

This is a life skill with an eternal purpose.

Thank you so much for investing your time in these students!