Speech Activities (The "Rule Book")

In August 2018, the Forensic Council established a Rules Committee to update Speech Activities. The committee is comprised of various representatives of the existing event committees. The initial revisions are complete and posted below.
​If you have any questions please feel free to contact any of the reps listed below or MIFA staff. 
Rules Committee 
Chair: Ruth Kay, Detroit Country Day School
Debate: Ryan Nierman, Groves HS
IE: Zoz Compagnari, Avondale HS
Middle Level: Ken Weinstein, Leslie Middle School
Original: vacant
Theatre: Michael Sheldon, Avondale HS 

GENERAL POLICY

No Changes for 2018-19

General Policy 

DEBATE EVENTS

Changes 2018-19

• Participation at the Spring MSCI Tournament no longer counts against eligibility
• Public Forum & Policy events will now award speaker trophies at the State Tournament
• Legislative scoring will now be cumulative rather starting Super Session with a clean slate

Rules for Debate Events

• Legislative
• Policy
• Public Forum

Individual Events

Changes for 2021-22

• ​Read the Individual Events Committee Best Practices & FAQ Document for Online Competition
• Read the IE Rule Changes/Guidelines for the 2021-22 season. 

Changes for 2020-21

• MIFA will be hosting all 2020-21 IE Events on a virtual platform. 
• ​Read the Individual Events Committee Best Practices & FAQ Document for Online Competition

Changes for 2019-20

• Speaking order will result from a random draw.  This eliminates the requirement to use schematic order as speaking order.
• Editorial prompts have been removed as an option for Impromptu Speaking.  Quotes, Resolutions and Visual Prompts remain.

Changes for 2018-19

• Oratory time limit is now 5-8 minutes
• Impromptu prompts may now come from quotes, editorials, resolutions or visual cues
• Regionals & States advancement changes are described HERE

Rules for High School Individual Events
All ballots are part of SA Rules​ and can be found on the Resources page
Past Information:
- 2013-14: IE FAQs
- 2013-14: Speech Activities Alerts

Middle School Level Debate

Changes for 2018-19
​

Rules for Middle Level Public Forum Debate - see Debate

Middle School Level Individual Events 

Changes for 2020-21

• MIFA will be hosting all 2020-21 Middle Level IE Events on a virtual platform. 
• Duo and multiple will not be offered for the Fall Middle Level State Tournament.

Changes for 2018-19

• ​Addition of Broadcasting

Rules for Middle School Individual Events
All ballots are part of SA Rules​ and can be found on the Resources page

Middle School Level Theatre Festival

Changes for 2020-21

• ​See High School Theatre

Changes for 2018-19

• This is a brand new event offering for this school year. It will be patterned off the HS Studio Productions event. More details to follow soon.

Rules for Middle Level Theatre - see High School for 2020-21

Original Content Events

Changes for 2018-19

• updated ballot for OI Poetry/ OI Prose

Rules for Discussion
​Rules for Original Poetry/Original Prose
Rules for Poetry Slam
​Rules for POI
Rules for 15-minute Play / Short Film

Theatre Festival Events

Changes for 2018-19 to Main Stage

Changes for 2018-19 to Studio Productions

• Eliminated all additional "set" pieces. Only the Common Set may be used
  
• "Props" which may be carried into the performance area by one student are allowed 
• No additional lighting is allowed. Only up/down general lighting as provided by the host
• The ballot has been revised to minimize points for technical elements and maximize points in the other areas

For 2020-2021 please see the Online Festival info
​
Rules for HS Theatre Events including:
Main Stage
​Studio Productions