Speech team members have the opportunity to choose from these 13 different competition categories. All of them are six to eight minutes in length.

Creative Expression:
Students write and perform their own pieces of original writing. It can be either serious or humorous in nature with a message.

Drama, Poetry and Prose Interpretation:
In any of these categories, students choose a serious piece of literature and perform their own interpretation of it for the audience.

Storytelling:
A “draw event,” in which students familiarize themselves with approximately fifteen children’s stories, folktales and fairy tales; choose one story for each round; and then tell the selected children's stories in their own words using different characters to make it come alive. Think Disney animated movie in six minutes or less!

Dramatic Duo:
Students work with a partner and perform a part of a play. Not open to first year students. Preparation of a second category encouraged.

Humorous:
Students choose a comedic piece of literature and perform it. If a student likes doing goofy characters and voices and think he or she the class clown, this category is for him or her!

Original Oratory, Informative and Great Speeches:
Students in any of these categories write their own speeches based on their respective purpose: to persuade, inform or analyze a great speech.

Discussion:
Students research and discuss the year's topic with five to seven other students. The purpose is to reach a consensus drawn from the contributions of each member. Emphasis in this event is placed on individual research, critical thinking, cooperation and the ability to arrive a collective solution. It is not a debate.

Extemporaneous Reading:
A “draw event”; students draw short story selections from a previously-published list of approximately fifteen short stories and then read the story with expression and fluency. Perfect for the student who love to read!

Extemporaneous Speaking:
Another “draw event,” in which students study current events and, for each speech, draw a different question and give seven-minute speeches based on national and international politics. Students have 30 minutes to prepare a speech based on the question. Perfect for CNN junkies!