Skip to main content
University of Texas at Austin
University Interscholastic League Logo
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)
  • Do's and Dont's of Submitting Documentation Video: : https://youtu.be/kWRsYElgRus

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)
  • 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