Junior Events Simplified Rules

**NEWSFLASH*Next Gen is inviting first time speakers who just missed the Junior Age Deadline (Turned 12 yrs. old by Oct. 1, 2022)
AND have NEVER spoken at a tournament before
to compete in the Junior Division with TD permission.
Please email Janine at wilkinsfamily6@yahoo.com.

This is a long page!

There will be 5 rooms for Junior Speech:
Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Platform, Expository, and Platform Apologetics.

(please email wilkinsfamily6@yahoo.com if there is a junior who wants to do 2 platforms)

Platform and Expository

Junior Platform Speeches

(Expository, Original Oratory, Persuasive, Apologetics)

• The Platform Speech category allows the student to write an original speech with the intent to inform, persuade, and/or entertain.

The Rules:
1. Each speech must be original to the student with only 30% of the total speech being direct quotes.
2. Memorization is required.
3. For a Persuasive, the student must definitely be trying to persuade their audience of something. An Original Oratory can be on any topic and can inform, entertain, and motivate. An Expository is a speech to inform that uses visual aids.
4. You may use picture boards as well as physical props to enhance your speech. Music and other audio recordings are allowed. Make sure you can set up your visual aids in 2 minutes or less.
5. The maximum speaking time is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time.

Tips:
1. One of the best ways to organize your speech is by having an introduction, three main points or ideas, and a conclusion.
2. Quotes, personal stories, scripture, and statistics are all great to add creativity throughout your speech.
3. If performing an Expository, a great way to present your props is on an easel. It is also good to use a pointer to show your audience which picture or prop you are referring to at that moment.
4. It is often good to start out your speech with a joke or a quote that sums up what you are going to be talking about. In this way, you will catch your audience's attention. You might also want to end your speech with a different joke or quote.

Junior Platform Apologetics Event

Description: Platform Apologetics speech is a prepared speech, written by the speaker, in response to an apologetics question.

Goal: To motivate students to study and articulate the core issues of their faith in a knowledgeable, sincere, winsome manner, to introduce young speakers to the Senior Apologetics Event, and to promote apologetics discussions with the families of Seniors and Juniors participating.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," - 1Pe 3:15 NIV

In order to best prepare Juniors for the Senior High Event, the rules for Juniors are basically the same as for Seniors.
*The main difference is that Juniors may choose their own question and prepare their speech ahead of time. Juniors may also answer a simplified version of the Stoa Apologetics questions.

The speech may be entered in only one category per tournament (i.e., either ‘Original Oratory’ or ‘Platform Apologetics’ but not both). The student may place the speech in a different category in subsequent tournaments. The speaker may enter only one speech per category.

Apologetics Preparation Rules:
1. Students prepare for Apologetics through Bible study, research, analysis, and topic organization.
2. Each competitor should create a card with Scripture, definitions, quotations, and any other material deemed to be helpful. (remember: all direct quotations and primary sources must be cited verbally within the body of the speech.
3. The speech may be memorized OR delivered with the card(s) in hand.
4. Questions can be found on the Stoa website:
(http://www.stoausa.org/speech-events/limited-preparation-speeches/apol)
6. Apologetics judges should be sympathetic to the ideals of Stoa. They will be given an additional orientation for this event.

Apologetics Presentation Rules:
1. The competitor must speak to the topic and answer the specific question asked.
2. The speech must be the original work of the speaker, supported by Scripture, quotations, and analysis from outside sources.
3. The question or topic should be approached from an apologetic perspective.
4. The speaker should craft his/her response as if the audience were not sympathetic to the message being presented.
5. During the speech, the speaker should use only note card(s). He may not use his Bible.
6. The speaker must state the given topic early in the speech and adhere to it.
7. No audio or visual aids or props may be used.
8. Gratuitous vulgarity is strictly prohibited.
9. The student must not listen to other Apologetics competitors speaking before him. He may stay after
he has given his speech to listen to subsequent speakers.
Speaking time – six (6) minutes. No minimum time. 


Junior Interpretations

(Humorous, Open and DUO)

• Interpretation events allow students to present a wide variety of literary styles including original writing(within the open and duo categories).

The Rules:
1. You may use traditionally published literature, literature published on the internet, or original writing(Open Interp.). Examples include: prose, poetry, short stories, plays, historical speeches, children's books.
2. Media transcription from movies, television, or tape recordings are not allowed.
3. The title and author of the selection must be introduced.
4. Students may use up to 150 of their own words anywhere in the presentation. For Open Interpretation, the added word count is unlimited.
5. No props, costumes, audiovisuals, or vulgarity is allowed.
6. Limited singing and dancing is permitted, but must be purposeful and motivated by the literature.
7. Only your feet are permitted to touch the floor.
8. If performing a DUO Interpretation, you must not touch or look at your partner. Also, lines should be shared as equally as possible between partners.
9. Memorization is required. No scripts, notes, or prompting are allowed.
10. There is a maximum time limit of 10 minutes with no minimum time limit.