SpeechGeek Postings

SpeechGeek wraps up our fifth season of publication with five scripts perfect for use in supplemental Prose and Poetry at the 2008 NFL National tournament

Mixed Up by Meredith Stein
Prose Interpretation

Growing up in a family of a mixed marriage often presents social and emotional challenges. When the budding relationship between a teenage girl and her best friend Marcus takes a romantic turn, mother neither accepts nor approves of the young couple. This selection suitable for middle and high school competitors explores race, relationships, and the double standards we often create.

Could’ve Been Worse
by Trevor Anders

Everyone’s had a bad first date. Turns out that some folks have a lot of them. This quirky selection steers a young man through a bad first date and the ensuing aftermath. The good news is that he has a best friend who lets him know it could have been worse.

Cutting Cords
by Trevor Anders

Two brothers separated by an ocean attempt to mend their broken relationship on the elder’s wedding day. This selection explores the emotions and experiences that connect twins while showing just how difficult-and sometimes forgiving-siblings can be.

Growing Up Girl
by Julia Nava

It isn’t easy growing up as a girl in America. Between trying to make the grade, win the game, and get the friends, girls are faced with an oppressive pressure to achieve perfection. By examining the struggle to be herself, we are able to empathize with what modern girls face on the path to adulthood.

Memory Drive
by Michael Hix and Will Schuster

Human beings are driven by memory–either the need to rely on it for day to day activities or to shape their personal history and identity. So what happens when our memory fails us (”Malfunction”) or is incomplete (”Ghosts”).

We’re quickly moving toward the home-stretch of state tournaments, national qualifiers, TOCs, and the granddaddies of them all–NATIONALS.  Make sure your extemp squad is the best in the prep room with SpeechGeek’s Extemp HOTtopics.  HOTtopics, our latest subscription service, provides 50 weekly practice questions.  25 international and domestic questions each Tuesday will challenge your knowledge of current events while giving you insight on what you might see on Saturday.  The service also includes a weekly topic breif that provides an overview, key terms, points of note, links to news stories, and additional questions on a major issue of the week.  Give the service a try at $20 per month, or round out the season with our three-month package for only $50.

SpeechGeek is excited to share information with our readers about a free new podcast for high school debate.

Loquitur is an Internet podcast dedicated to interviewing academic and professional experts on current National Forensic League debate topics for the free educational benefit of high school students competing in Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum Debate. Loquitur is brought to you courtesy of Trinity Briefs and Georgia Forensics Daily.

For more information, or to have a listen, visit their website: http://loqdebate.com.

We’re flipping the publication schedule a bit with the early release of SpeechGeek’s Season Five: Anniversary 2008.  Season Five: Nationals 2008 will now be available on April 15, 2008.

Pinnochiante by Allen Harris
Humorous Interpretation

Everyone knows the story of Pinocchio, right?  Author Allen Harris provides a muy caliente spin on a fairy tale classic that provides a modern sensibility with a hint of sarcasm.  Okay, more than just a hint.

The Crayon Map by Oliver Leslie and Christopher Marianetti
Dramatic Interpretation

People deal with loss in different ways.  Some folks turn to rationalization, while others resort to pure escapism to cope with life and loss.  This dramatic interpretation spins out of reality into a fantasy word of possibility that provides hope for Aaron as he deals with the loss of his younger sibling.  An exciting selection that combines heart and humor with hope and loss!

Ahidjo by Christopher Marianetti and Cormac Copperhead
Humorous Interpretation

Its often said that given enough time we will eventually become our parents.  In the short term, that seems like an impossibility.  For Jacub, that impossibility becomes a reality as a magic flower transports him back in time to live the life of his relatives.  Through his experiences he becomes more appreciative of the lives of his ancestors and earns a better appreciation of what it takes to be a father and a son.

Rodger Dodger by Lindsey Marquette
Dramatic Interpretation

When most kids want a dog, they beg until their parents give in.  Some folks, like Abby, just steal one and hope no one else notices.  This delightful script provides a look at the lessons learned from both getting and owning a pet.  A great script for middle school students that will charm audiences.

Inspired by a True Story by William Ruff
Dramatic Interpretation

Hollywood has told the tale of Jake, an exceptional young man with a story that has caused millions to fall in love with him.  The only problem is that the Jake on screen isn’t the person in real life.  Even though Jake has a learning disability, he has high hopes for his own success and chance at stardom.  When his dream falters, it forces him to examine the differences between the uplifting story on screen and disappointment from missed opportunities.

In case you’re late to the party, The Great Debaters opens this Christmas. The movie is based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. The National Forensic League and Princeton Review are evening sponsoring a contest that ties in with the release of the film. It seems as though the world of forensics can’t get enough about this film.

News also comes along today of the film’s director and star Denzel Washington has donated $1 million to reestablish the Wiley College Debate Team.

Though the Holidays are right around the corner and the first semester has come to a close, there’s no reason to slack off when it comes to Extemp prep. SpeechGeek enters week three of our Extemp HOTtopics service preview. You can preorder this subscription service, which begins on January 2, 2008, through our online partner DebateChamps. For now, enjoy these 50 questions to keep you sharp and ready for the road to nationals. It’s Vegas, baby! Don’t miss out.

Domestic
What role will the courts play in the CIA tape scandal?
Were recent fed reforms to the mortgage industry enough?
What more can the south east do to cope with drought?
Can exports save the US economy?
What impact will toy safety scandals have on holiday shopping habits?
Will Iraq funding find its way into the budget?
Can high tech industry save small town America?
Is inflation a becoming a problem?
What will be the lasting impact of the Mitchell report on Baseball?
Is Nevada ready for its early caucus?
Is the EPA finally poised to tackle the issue of greenhouse emissions?
What impact will Iowa’s rural population’s primary choices have on the 2008 general election?
Is the new budget spending too much? Read more »

Our friends at PFDebate.com have released their Public Forum brief for January 2008.

The January 2008 issue of Crossfire Briefs (Civil Disobedience) is now available for purchase and immediate download. The book has already been sent to subscribers and those who pre-ordered the January issue.$15 for the single issue.
Pro & Con Evidence Indexes

Visit the PFDebate.com Online Store to place an order.

The last day to place orders online for scripts and gear is Tuesday, December 18, 2007.  Orders placed after that date will ship on January 2, 2008.  Any questions regarding shipping may be sent to thegeek@speechgeek.com.

SpeechGeek continues week two of our free preview of the upcoming Extemp HOTtopics service. HOTtopics debuts on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, and features 50 weekly practice questions. In addition, HOTTopics includes a weekly brief detailing an area of important interest for extempers. Look for a sample of that later today.

Topic Brief
20071211 — Venezuela

Foreign
Is Iran really pursuing nuclear weapons?
What will be the Impact of China’s recent crackdown on NGO’s?
Should dictators have been allowed to come to the Euro-African summit?
Is fundamentalist Islam a threat to Sri Lankan stability?
Will ‘the Elders’ be able to foster more international involvement in Sudan?
What can China do to help end North Korea’s nuclear program?
Can Ahmadinijahd maintain his popularity with the Iranian people?
Should more countries take steps to regulate plastic bags?
Is the return of refugees good for Iraq?
Will a Bhutto-Sharif alliance in Pakistan become a reality?
What will be the result of Kosovo’s independence talks?
What can be done to curb global food prices?
Read more »

SpeechGeek is pleased to announce its HOTtopics line of extemporaneous speaking instructional aides for high school forensic teams. HOTtopics is a subscription-based service that provides weekly practice questions in both United States and International topic areas. When this subscription-based service launches on January 1, 2008, look for weekly questions that will help prepare your team for success each tournament weekend. More details will be available later this week about Extemp HOTtopics. For now, enjoy this free set of 50 questions to get started for the weekend.

Will there be free elections in Pakistan?
What can be done to bring peace to Sri Lanka?
Is China doing enough to fight its poverty problem?
Is Columbia winning its war on Drugs?
Will recent protests lead to a more free Burma?
How can Hugo Chavez increase his influence in South America?
Is a Multi state solution the only way to bring peace to Iraq?
Does Syria have to much influence in Lebanon?
What can be done to bring peace to Darfur?
Is North Korea really going to end its Nuclear program?
How can China lower CO2 emissions?
Is the Congo on the way back to civil war?
Is China ready for the 2008 Olympics?

Read more »