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 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
​Frequently Asked Questions
Rules for High School Individual Events
All ballots are part of SA Rules​ and can be found on the Resources page
Middle School Level Debate
Changes for 2018-19
​
Rules for Middle Level Public Forum Debate
Middle School Level Individual Events 
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 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
Original Content Events
Changes for 2018-19
  • updated ballot for OI Poetry/ OI Prose
Rules for Film Fest
Rules for Original Poetry/Original Prose
Rules for Poetry Slam
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
Rules for HS Theatre Events including:
Main Stage
​Studio Productions
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