Novice Grade Requirements
Novices are defined as FIRST YEAR competitors on our team, regardless of their grade level.
Participants in this course will learn about all nine areas of competitive speech, including, debate, interpretation, congress, extemporaneous speaking, and oratory. Students will be limited in their choices for October’s “Novice Season” of competition, but as the course progresses, will be able to select a competitive event to focus on for the remainder of the speech season and hopefully for the remainder of the student’s high school career.
Because the main purpose of this class is to introduce and prepare students for speech competition, students must compete in order to receive course credit! Students who do not attend tournaments will not receive credit for the course. We require 4 tournaments first semester (Oct-Dec), and 3 tournaments second semester. (Jan-Feb).
We strongly encourage students to take advantage of October’s “Novice Season” and compete in tournaments during this time. Novice competitors need to attend at least 2 of their 4 tournaments during October. At least 1 tournament is required in varsity season (November or December)
Students in the class will become part of George Washington High School’s Competitive Speech and Debate Team, recognized by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA).
OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS
1.Compete in tournaments throughout the semester. Keep in mind that tournaments are worth 25 points each! If you want an “A”, it is recommended that you attend at least 4.
2.Meet the individual assignment requirements for the event in which you choose to participate. These assignments will involve research and writing both inside and outside of class.
3. Participate in in-class debates and presentations; a large portion of your grade will be
based on speaking in-class. Beware that missing block period on a regular basis will
hurt your grade as this is when points may be awarded for in-class debates and speaking.
Participants in this course will learn about all nine areas of competitive speech, including, debate, interpretation, congress, extemporaneous speaking, and oratory. Students will be limited in their choices for October’s “Novice Season” of competition, but as the course progresses, will be able to select a competitive event to focus on for the remainder of the speech season and hopefully for the remainder of the student’s high school career.
Because the main purpose of this class is to introduce and prepare students for speech competition, students must compete in order to receive course credit! Students who do not attend tournaments will not receive credit for the course. We require 4 tournaments first semester (Oct-Dec), and 3 tournaments second semester. (Jan-Feb).
We strongly encourage students to take advantage of October’s “Novice Season” and compete in tournaments during this time. Novice competitors need to attend at least 2 of their 4 tournaments during October. At least 1 tournament is required in varsity season (November or December)
Students in the class will become part of George Washington High School’s Competitive Speech and Debate Team, recognized by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA).
OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS
1.Compete in tournaments throughout the semester. Keep in mind that tournaments are worth 25 points each! If you want an “A”, it is recommended that you attend at least 4.
2.Meet the individual assignment requirements for the event in which you choose to participate. These assignments will involve research and writing both inside and outside of class.
3. Participate in in-class debates and presentations; a large portion of your grade will be
based on speaking in-class. Beware that missing block period on a regular basis will
hurt your grade as this is when points may be awarded for in-class debates and speaking.
