UIL Speaking Events
The UIL high school speech program consists of six events from three basic skill categories, plus Congress:
- Debate: Lincoln-Douglas and Cross-Examination
- Extemporaneous Speaking: Informative and Persuasive
- Oral Interpretation: Prose and Poetry
Students are permitted to enter 2 events in speech, and cross-examination debate.
UIL also sponsors Congress as an event. It is a fall/winter contest, so there is no restriction on entering Congress in addition to other speech or academic events.
| If You Enter: | You May Not Enter These Contests: |
|---|---|
| Team Debate (CX) | Lincoln-Douglas Debate |
| Lincoln-Douglas Debate | Team Debate (CX), Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation |
| Prose Interpretation | Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Poetry Interpretation |
| Poetry Interpretation | Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Prose Interpretation |
| Informative Speaking | Persuasive Speaking |
| Persuasive Speaking | Informative Speaking |
Invitational tournaments are hosted throughout the year. They are sponsored by a host school and are not specifically sanctioned by UIL, so they may or may not follow all UIL rules and procedures. Many of these are posted on the Academic Invitational Meets and Tournaments section of UIL web site.