Speech & Debate: Getting to Know The UIL
I. Things to Know for All UIL Contests
- Constitution and Contest Rules (available in hard copy and online)
- Academic Coordinator's Manual (copy mailed to each school)
- TEA-UIL Side by Side (Question & Answer format concerning State Laws, eligibility; available on-line)
- Importance of Roll Call, Checking Ballots, Contest Verification Procedures
II. Things to Know for CX Debate
- Topic Release - Topic announced in January and debated the following fall; posted on website, in Leaguer
- CX Fall District Planning Meet - held prior to October 1; contact principal to know the date and permission to attend
- District selects CX District Director - register name online by November 1
- Fall Planning Meeting Agenda - all agenda items should be discussed; posted online at: www.uil.utexas.edu/academics/speech/agenda.html
- District CX Meet - District Director sets up entry form in the Spring Meet Entry System by December 1; link to system found on speech web page.
- Dates for CX Debate District contest (see UIL calendar for window)
- Tournament Format: District: prelim rounds, advancing to elimination rounds or round robin
- District Entry Form - submit on-line 10 calendar days before meet
- Winner's Packet with details about State tournament posted online for students.
- Coaches' Packet (large red and white envelope you are responsible for picking up from District Contest Director before leaving the district tournament)
- Judging requirement if qualify for State Meet - Deadline posted in Constitution & Contest Rules
- Judging form completed online. There is a late fee if you miss the deadline.
- UIL A Guide to Cross-Examination Debate Handbook (order form available on-line, in Academic Coordinator's Manual)
- Rules particular to UIL Debate (Certification of some 1st and 2nd place teams, procedures for substitutions at State; prompting, open c-x, scouting prohibited)
III. Things to Know for LD Debate
- Topic Release: early August/early December; posted online
- Tournament Format: District: prelim rounds, advancing to elimination rounds or round robin
- LD Debate Handbook (order form online, in Academic Coordinator's Manual)
- Winner's Packet posted online for students
- Coaches' Packet - large red and white envelope you are responsible for picking up from Regional Contest Director before leaving Regional contest site
- Judging requirement if qualify for State Meet - Deadline posted in Constitution & Contest Rules
IV. Things to Know for Prose & Poetry
- Contestants prepare two performances
- Categories/Category restrictions: See Constitution and Contest Rules
- Documentation requirements (students don't compete w/out approval of documentation)
- Prose and Poetry Handbook (responsible for reading; critical for documentation explanation; order form available on-line, in Academic Coordinator's Manual)
- State Office assistance
- Research opportunities (website links)
- Contest Procedures: Sectioning, Drawing for the Category, Time Limit
- Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges: TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech web page
V. Things to Know for Persuasive & Informative
- Rules in the Prep Room: what materials are allowed and not allowed
- Informative/Persuasive Handbook (order form on-line, in Academic Coordinator's Manual)
- Sources for files (website links, news sources to explore) at www.uil.utexas.edu/academics/speech/extemp_resources.html
- Contest Procedures: No talking in prep room; Draw at 10 minute intervals, no outlines in prep, one card no larger than 3" x 5" is permissible; limitation on what can be taken out of prep room
- Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges: TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech web page