Who We Are
The Newton South High School Speech & Debate Team aims to improve critical thinking, research, writing, performance and oral communication skills through interscholastic competition in Speech and Debate. The Newton South Speech & Debate Team values teamwork, striving to do one’s personal best, and having fun while pursuing challenging goals. We foster a supportive environment and call on our more experienced students to mentor younger team members.
What is Speech?
The Newton South Speech Team consists of approximately sixty students and is part of Newton South’s Speech and Debate Team. We compete from September through early April at weekend tournaments in the Boston area and in the Northeast. Team members have the option to compete in 17 different events. Students on the team select one or two events to focus on at the beginning of the season. Events include reading events such as poetry, prose and play reading. There are memorized interpretation events in dramatic and humorous genres. Students can try original oratory, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, radio broadcasting or declamation. Some events focus on current events and others are more theatrical. There is something for just about everyone! What will you learn? Speech team members learn to become confident and articulate performers. Through practice and competition they learn to communicate with poise and conviction. What are the expectations? Participation in approximately 2 or 3 after-school sessions each week, including Friday’s main session (practices run every day after school). Participation in 8-15 weekend tournaments each year, depending on experience. Most tournaments run October through the first week of April, so fall and spring sports are compatible with speech & debate. Research, cutting, writing, memorizing, depending upon event(s) chosen. |
What is Debate?
The Newton South Debate Team has approximately sixty students and is part of Newton South’s Speech and Debate Team. We compete from September through March at weekend tournaments in the Boston area and in the Northeast. Students debate with a partner against two-person teams from other schools. Each month, debaters learn about and argue a new topic. Recent topics include: · Nuclear proliferation · Gun control · Climate change · NSA surveillance · Foreign policy in the Middle East What will you learn? Debate teaches critical thinking skills, research, identification of key points, and anticipation of counter-arguments. Students learn to write clearly, concisely and compellingly. Through competition, they become fast, agile thinkers and excellent verbal communicators. What are the expectations? Participation in approximately 3 - 4 after-school sessions each week, including Friday’s main session. Participation in 8-15 weekend tournaments each year, depending on experience. Most tournaments run November to March, so fall and spring sports are compatible with debate. ·Research and case writing. |