DSR-TKA 2008 Invitation

Travel and Accommodations

Lodging:

We have a block of rooms held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel, 2900 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608

toll free phone 1-877-992-9229

local phone 352/377-4000

Rates

$79.00/night for doubles for 1-4 people

The cut-off date for making reservations is FEBRUARY 5^th, 2008.

Refer to DSR-TKA when making reservations

Travel:

If planning to fly, you are probably best off coming into one of the major airports surrounding Gainesville rather than the Gainesville Airport as it tends to be a bit costly. The Jacksonville International Airport is approximately 1 1/2 hours away, while the Orlando and Tampa International Airports are both approximately 2 hours away.

Driving Directions:

To the Paramount: Take I-75 to exit 382 (Williston Road). Travel East to US Hwy 441 North (Southwest 13^th Street) where you will make a left. The Paramount will be on your left in about a mile. UF is about 3 miles up the road on your right.

Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha Conference and Tournament Information

Events:

NPDA Parliamentary Debate, and NFA Lincoln Douglas Debate, will be offered as well as two conflict patterns of AFA Individuals Events: After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Dramatic Duo, Dramatic Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, Poetry Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, and Prose Interpretation. Student Congress will also be offered.

Parliamentary Debate (NPDA):

Six preliminary rounds of NPDA will be followed by an appropriate number of elimination rounds as indicated by the NPDA by-laws. There is a limited entry in NPDA debate of four teams and all four will count for sweepstakes points. NPDA rules will be used in governing the parliamentary debate competition. TIME LIMITS ARE: PM – 7 min, all other constructive speeches – 8 min, Opposition Rebuttal – 4 min, and Government rebuttal – 5 min.

Tabulation and Elimination Rounds

All debate will be paired randomly for rounds 1&2, High/High for rounds 3 &5, and High/Low for rounds 4 & 6. At the end of the preliminary rounds, the top teams in each division of NPDA advance first on their win loss record, next on adjusted speaker points, and finally on the basis of their opposition record. Pairings in the elimination rounds will be on the basis of strength versus weakness. BRACKETS WILL NOT BE BROKEN in elimination rounds, and two teams from the same school will be scheduled to meet if the bracket dictates.

Lincoln Douglas Debate:

The topic to be used at the tournament is the current year’s NFA Lincoln Douglas Debate topic. Four preliminary rounds will be followed by an appropriate number of elimination rounds. Advancement will be first on a win/loss record, then by adjusted speaker points, and finally by quality of competition. Entry in L-D is unlimited, however only the top three competitors will count towards the sweepstakes awards. Tabulation will proceed as with the other types of debate. Time Limits are 1AC – 6 minutes, CX – 3min, 1NC – 7 min., CX – 3 min, 1AR – 6 min, NR – 6 min, 2AR – 3 min. Each Speaker has 4 minutes preparation time.

Individual Events – General:

The individual events offered are subject to the rules of the AFA National Individual Events Tournament. Complete event descriptions are included in this invitation. Semi-finals and finals will follow two preliminary rounds with the top twelve advancing to semifinals and the top six to finals. If more than 40 students enter an event, that event will go to semifinals, in no case shall 50% or more of contestants in an event advance to elimination rounds.

CONFLICT PATTERN A: CA PER PRO ADS DI IMP

CONFLICT PATTERN B: EXT INF POE POI DUO

If a student is participating in individual events only, a maximum of three events per pattern will be allowed. Students are responsible for making it to their rounds on time. No student may enter an event twice, although a student may enter a second Duo with another partner. Students entered in five events will be eligible for the pentathlon award. Schools may enter as many students as they wish in an event, however, only the top three entries per event will count toward sweepstakes awards.

Description of Events:

Impromptu Speaking: An impromptu speech, substantive in nature, with topic selections varied by round and by section. Topics will be derived from quotations. Speakers will have a total of 7 minutes for both preparation and speaking. Timing commences with the acceptance of the topics sheet. Limited notes are permitted.

Informative Speaking: An original, factual speech by the student on a realist subject to fulfill the general aim to inform the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Prose Interpretation: A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Focus of this event is on the development of the narrative/story. Play cuttings and poetry are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.

Dramatic Duo: A cutting from a play or plays of literary merit, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. The material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc., are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

Extemporaneous Speaking: Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech that is the original work of the student. Maximum time limit for the speech is 7 minutes. Limited notes are permitted. Student will speak in listed order. Postings of topics will be staggered.

Persuasive Speaking: An original speech by the student designed to inspire, reinforce, or change the beliefs, attitudes, values or actions of the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Program Oral Interpretation: A program of thematically-linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two or three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose/poetry/drama). A primary focus of this event should be on the development of the theme through the use of narrative/story, language, and/or characterization. A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the genres used in the program. Different genre means the material must appear in separate pieces of literature (e.g., A poem included in a short story that appears only in that short story does not constitute a poetry genre.) Only one selection may be original. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

After Dinner Speaking: An original, humorous speech by the student, designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic, coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste. The speech should not resemble a night club act, an impersonation, or comic dialogue. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforced the message. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Communication Analysis: An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, campaign, etc., through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Drama Interpretation: A cutting that represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. The focus of this event is on the development of characterization. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

Poetry Interpretation: A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. A primary focus of this event should be on the development of language. Play cuttings and prose works are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

ALL MATERIALS USED IN COMPETITION SHALL NOT HAVE BEEN USED BY THE STUDENT IN INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2007.

Student Congress

Entries in Student Congress are limited to two teams of four students per school. Only one team will count toward Sweepstakes points. The contributing team must be designated at Student Congress Registration. Observers and alternates are welcome.

Topic Area: Universal Healthcare

Committees:

· Research and Development

· Insurance

· National Security

We will compile a Bill Book. To that end, all legislation is due with the entry. Entry deadline is Monday, February 25, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. You can find a sample bill format at http://www.forensicsonline.net/wiki/index.php/Student_Congress#Legislation

Entry Allowances

6 Individual Events (3 each pattern)
NPDA and LD
NPDA and B events only
LD Competitors may enter A/B events
Student Congress will run concurrent with the IE/Debate portion of the tournament and participants and coaches are encouraged to limit IE/Debate entries to allow for full participation.

Judging Obligations

All judges are expected to be available for the first elimination round of debate and one round beyond that in which their team is eliminated. Judges in individual events should expect to judge in all conflict patterns even if they have students entered in only one conflict pattern. One Judge Covers: 2 NPDA teams, 6 individual events slots, or 2 LD debate slots. Judges can cover partial entries in more than one event. (For instance, one judge could cover one NPDA debate team and 3 IE slots.) No judges are required for student congress.

Entry Deadlines

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. Central Time

Monday Feb 25, 2008

Please e-mail your entry to all three below:

Frank Thompson at fthompso@ua.edu

Mike Edmonds at medmonds@ColoradoCollege.edu

JoAnn Edwards at jedwards@olemiss.edu

Fees

$8 each IE entry
$8 each Student Congress entry
$30 each LD entry
$40 each Parli entry
$10 each uncovered IE entry
$50 each uncovered LD entry
$60 each uncovered Parli entry
$50 Non-member participation fee to be added to entry fees
$50 Annual membership dues if not paid prior to the tournament dates
$25 School participation fee added to entry fees (Lunch and snacks provided throughout the tournament)
Note nuisance fees will be added after entry deadline

Direct any questions concerning the tournament to JoAnn Edwards 662-915-3799

National Awards

Student Speaker of the Year Award - Please consider nominating an outstanding student from your chapter for this award. The student nominated must be a senior. Nominations will be judged on the student’s academic accomplishments, forensic achievement, and community service. Nominations must include a vitae of activities and accomplishments, a letter or letters of recommendation, a brief statement from the student nominated, and a transcript of academic record. For additional information please refer to the DSR-TKA Constitution and bylaws. Nomination packets should be submitted at the Tournament Registration desk no later than 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008. You can also mail your nominations and supporting material to

JoAnn Edwards

Lott Leadership Institute

P.O. Box 175, University, MS 38677

For more information, call JoAnn Edwards @ 662-915-3799.

Chapter Community Service/Outreach Award

In 1998, the DSR-TKA student officers felt it important to recognize the many contributions our chapter schools make in their local communities. Therefore, an award is now presented each year to a chapter(s) that has made unique and outstanding efforts in the area of community service. Chapter will be judged on assessment of community need, uniqueness, and overall effectiveness of their program. If your chapter would like to be considered for this recognition, please submit an essay explaining those accomplishments in this area of service. The essay, not to exceed 350 words, and any additional materials you feel would he helpful to the selection committee should be submitted at the Tournament Registration desk no later t no later than 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008.

Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service Awards

We encourage you to nominate individuals for separate distinguished alumni and distinguished service awards. For the service award, you may nominate any individual who you feel has served the forensic community with merit. The alumni award nomination is limited to a former DSR-TKA member who has earned a career of distinction during their life. Nominations should be in writing and should contain a summary of why the individual is worthy of consideration of this award. Nominations are due by Feb 1, 2008. Please submit your nominations to the chair of the distinguished alumni and service awards committee, Frank Thompson at fthompson@ua.edu.

Conference Awards for Competition

Appropriate awards will be presented in all conference events: all elimination rounds in debate, debate speaker awards, semi and finalists in individual events, and student congress. To be eligible for pentathlon awards in individual events students must be entered in five individual events. A sweepstakes award will be presented to the school with the best overall record; to be eligible for this award a school must be entered in at least two of the three areas of conference participation (Debate, Congress, Individual Events.) In debate, schools receive three points per preliminary win (counting only the top four teams in NPDA and the top three L-Ders). In congress a superior rating earns 18 points, while an excellent rating earns 12 points. In individual events only the top three students in an event may earn team sweepstakes points. Points awarded will be 18 points for 1^st place, 15 points for 2^nd , 12 points for 3^rd , 9 points for 4^th , 6 points for 5^th, and 3 points for 6^th.

New Member Initiation

We will hold the model initiation prior to the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening. Please see the enclosed Initiation Form. Initiation forms and initiation fees are due during the tournament registration.

DSR-TKA National Tournament & Gator Invitational Schedule

Thursday March 6, 2008

5:00-6:00pm Early Conference Registration at Paramount Resort for DSR-TKA & Gator Invitational

6:30 DSR-TKA Student Membership Meeting/Election of Officers

6:30 DSR-TKA Sponsor Meeting

8:00 DSR-TKA Executive Committee Meeting

Friday March 7, 2008

8:00-11:00am Conference Registration at University of Florida Reitz Union for DSR-TKA & Gator

9:00-10:00 Student Congress Opening Assembly & Caucuses

10:00-noon Student Congress Committee Meetings & Debate

11:30 LD Round #1

12:30pm LD Round #2

1:30 LD Round #3

2:00-5:00 Student Congress Committee Meetings & Debate

2:30 LD Round #4

3:30 Round #1 Pattern A (CA, PER, PRO, ADS, DI, IMP), NPDA Round #1

5:00 Round #2 Pattern A, NPDA Round #2

5:00-6:00 Student Congress Steering Committee Meeting

6:30 Extemp Draw

7:00 Round #1 Pattern B (EXT, INF, POE, POI, DUO)

8:00 Extemp Draw

8:30 Round #2 Pattern B, LD elims

Saturday March 8, 2008

8:00am NPDA Round # 3

9-12 Student Congress General Assembly

9:30 Extemp Draw for semis or finals

10:00 Semis or finals as needed flights A/B

11:30-12:30 Lunch

12:00pm NPDA Round #4

12:30 Finals of A

1:30-3:30 Student Congress General Assembly

2:00 Extemp Draw, NPDA Round #5

2:30 Finals of B

3:30 NPDA Round #6

5:00 NPDA Elims

6:30 New Student Initiation

7:00 Awards

Gator Invitational Forensics Tournament

Sunday March 9, 2008

7:30am Registration for Gator Invitational at Reitz Union

8:00 Extemp Draw

8:30 Round I Flight B (EXT, INF, POE, POI, DUO)

9:45 Extemp Draw

10:15 Round II Flight B

11:30 – 12:00 Lunch

12:00pm Round I Flight A (CA, PER, PRO, ADS, DI, IMP)

1:15 Round II Flight A

2:15 Extemp Draw for Finals

2:30 Finals Flight A

4:00 Finals Flight B

ASAP Awards

DSR-TKA Conference/Tournament Entry Form

SCHOOL:

COACH:

ADDRESS:

PHONE: (OFFICE) (HOME) (CELL)

EMAIL:

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. Central Time

Monday, February 25, 2008

Please e-mail your entry to all three below:

Frank Thompson at fthompso@ua.edu

Mike Edmonds at medmonds@ColoradoCollege.edu

JoAnn Edwards at jedwards@olemiss.edu

Please indicate the event(s) each student is entering.

FLIGHT A

FLIGHT B

Student

C A

P E R

P R O

A D S

D I

I M P

P O E

D U O