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 2020-21 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
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