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University Interscholastic League Logo spells UIL with a red star and texas shape cutout on the U
University Interscholastic League Logo

Getting to Know The UIL

I. Things to Know for All UIL Contests

II. Things to Know for CX Debate

  • Topic Release –Topic announced in January and debated the following Fall; find it posted on UIL Debate webpage
  • CX Fall District Planning Meet – held prior to October 1; contact principal to secure the date and obtain permission to attend; debate coach needs to attend
  • Fall Planning Meeting Agenda – all agenda items should be discussed; discussion agenda posted online at:  www.uiltexas.org/speech/agenda
  • District selects CX District Director – designated district official (typically the spring meet director) should register the CX Director’s name, contact info online by November 1 here.
  • District CX Meet – District Director sets up entry online by December 1; instructions link  found on speech web homepage in the Quick Links at the top of the page.
  • Dates for CX Debate District contest (see UIL calendar for window during Jan-Feb)
  • Tournament Format: District: prelim rounds advancing to elimination rounds or round robin, determined by # of teams planning to enter the district meet
  • District Entry Form – submit in online system 10 calendar days before meet is scheduled to be held
  • Winner’s Packet for students; provides details about State tournament; posted online (see the Tournaments webpage of UIL Speech)
  • Coaches’ Packet - posted online (see the Tournaments webpage of UIL Speech)
  • Judging requirement if team(s) qualify for State Meet – Deadline posted online
  • Judging form completed online. There is a late fee if you miss the deadline
  • UIL A Guide to Cross-Examination Debate Handbook (digital copies available free of charge; link is located here)
  • Rules specific to UIL Debate. Certification of some 1st and 2nd place teams, procedures for substitutions at the State Meet; contest rules such as prompting, open c-x, scouting, use of computers are all included in the contest handbook

CX For Beginners Video: https://youtu.be/Q81uzyl8qdM

III. Things to Know for LD Debate

  • Topic Release: August 15 & December 15; posted on UIL Debate webpage
  • Tournament Format:  District: prelim rounds, advancing to elimination rounds or round robin, determined by # of debaters planning on entering the district meet
  • LD Debate Handbook (link to download digital copies found on here)
  • Winner’s Packet for students posted online (see the Tournaments webpage of UIL Speech)
  • Coaches’ Packet - posted online (see the Tournaments webpage of UIL Speech)
  • Judging requirement if you qualify debaters for State Meet – Deadline posted online
  • Intro to LD Debate Video: https://youtu.be/vkC_Gw0LqDc

IV. Things to Know for Prose & Poetry

  • Contestants prepare two performances, one from Category A and one from Category B
  • Categories/Category explanations: See entire chapter devoted to current categories in the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook here.
  • Documentation requirements -(students don't compete without approval of documentation)
  • Prose and Poetry Handbook -(coaches areresponsible for reading; access link here. to download digital copies)
  • State Office assistance  is available if you have a documentation question; ask well in advance of the meet, preferably by March 1
  • Research opportunities - (www.uiltexas.org/speech/oral-interp/resource-web-sites-for-interpretative-speech)
  • Contest Procedures : Sectioning, Drawing for the category, Time limit
  • Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges - TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech webpage (become familar with the ranking system for UIL)
  • Speechwire systems for Tournaments

V. Things to Know for Persuasive & Informative

  • Rules in the Prep Room: what materials are allowed and not allowed
  • Informative/Persuasive Handbook - download for free from the UIL website
  • Sources for files (website links and news sources to explore) at www.uiltexas.org/speech/extemp/extemp-web-resources
  • Contest Procedures: no talking in prep room; Draw at 10 minute intervals, no outlines in prep, one card no larger than 3" x 5" is permissible to use wehn delivering speech; limitation on what can be taken out of prep room, specific guidelines for use of computers within the prep room
  • Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges: TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech web page (become familiar with the ranking system for UIL)
  • Speechwire System for tournaments
  • Introduction to Extemp Video:https://youtu.be/WyYDXyb7dSU

VI. Things to Know Congress

  • Region Contest held November 1 - 15; State in January
  • Intent to Participate form must be submitted online by September 10.
  • Regions organized by Educational Service Cetner rather than by traditional UIL Districts or Regions; compete with other conferences but advance contestants by conference   
  • See website for your Regional Clerk's contact info.
  • Access contest rules, structure and procedures on the UIL website and review the UIL Congress Handbook, availalbe for free download from the UIL website
  • Contestants can submit legislation to ESC Regional clerk for consideration to be debated at the region meet; must do so by September 10.
  • Specific guidelines for writing and formatting legislation (UIL template for these documents) and contest guidelines for the use of computers
  • Congress 101 Video: https://youtu.be/A3RH5SludHY