Speech Arts
Debate Team
The Evanston Debate Team has represented ETHS in competition for over thirty years. We compete in the National Forensic League and the National Catholic Forensic League (started by Catholic schools, but now open to secular schools as well). We also compete in the IHSA state tournament and several prestigious national invitational tournaments. This year, we will compete in tournaments in Des Moines, Minneapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, Boston, Lexington, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. These tournaments are almost entirely paid for by ETHS, and are open to all team members who put in the work necessary to compete successfully at the national level.
We compete in three types of debate: Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, and Congressional Debate.
Lincoln-Douglas is a one on one debate over questions of value. The resolution, or topic to be debated, changes every two months. Some of the potential topics for the year include: "Progressive income taxes are just", "On balance, internet neutrality is desirable", and "The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice."
Public Forum debate is two on two debate over contemporary public issues. Topics change every month. Some of the topics from last year include: "President Obama's plan to increase troops in Afghanistan is in the United States' best interest" and "Merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools."
Congressional debate simulates the United States Congress; students compete individually in rooms of 16-24 students and debate legislation that they have written themselves. Legislation from last year's congress tournaments covered the economic bailout, our policy towards Iraq and Afghanistan, infrastructural improvements, and alternative energies, among others.
We are always accepting new members.Debate team is coached by Mr. Jeff Hannan. Our regular team meetings are on Tuesdays after school in room A-246. Stop by to get more information or check out our website at www.evanstondebate.com
Speech Team
Eligibility Requirements
All students are eligible.
Time Commitment
Auditions take place in the beginning of September and the season ends mid-February.
Meets
Students need to make team meetings and be coached at least once per week. Tournaments are held on Saturdays from mid-November to mid-February. We go to a total of ten tournaments, including the IHSA State series tournaments.
Procedure for Joining
All students are welcome to audition in early September. Students sign-up for a time slot to audition a short monologue or piece of material they have written. If they do not have one, then they will audition with a cold reading from a monologue provided. Students need to make team meetings and be coached at least once per week. Tournaments are held on Saturdays from Mid-November to Mid-February. We go to a total of ten tournaments which is including the IHSA State series tournaments. We accept approximately 30 students on the team.
Description
Speech Team consists of 14 Individual Events (Prose, Dramatic Duet Acting, Humorous Duet Acting, Radio Speaking, Humorous Interp., Dramatic Interp., Extemporaneous Speaking, Poetry Reading, Impromptu Speaking, Declamation, Original Oratory, Original Comedy, Special Occasion Speaking and Informative). Some events are written by the performer and others are found in published material. Some students are entered in more than one event. We work throughout the season to perfect your piece.
Membership Limit
Approximately 30 students.
Sponsors
Ms. Nancy Schultz