Scroll down for descriptions of public speaking and performance of literature categories.
2025-26 Topics #
Extemporaneous Speech #
Theme A: United States Issues
- Where and how are Republicans and Democrats working together to enact effective public policies?
One year into his presidency, how successful has the Trump Administration been in delivering campaign promises?
What does the Democratic Party need to do to gain seats in Congress in the U.S. midterm elections?
What impact does artificial intelligence energy consumption have on cost, reliability, and sustainability of energy?
Theme B: International Issues
- How can other countries break China’s grip on rare-earth elements?
- Has the ultra fast fashion industry gotten out of control?
- What impact has the Trump Administration’s approach to international relations had on less developed countries?
- Where are the worst human rights abuses, and how should the international community respond?
Theme C: Social Issues in the United States
- Is home ownership in the U.S. a reality for the middle class?
- What are the most prominent mental health issues facing Americans?
- What are the biggest challenges to fairness and integrity in U.S. elections?
- What can be done to minimize the problem of food deserts in the U.S.
Moments in History #
Choose one or both time periods:
- 1700-1799 and/or
- 1930-1939
Examples of areas students might consider: politics, military action, historic sites, monuments, natural disasters, ethnology, legends, folklore, science, inventions, medicine, arts, entertainment, geography, transportation, sports, religion, heroes, villains, personalities, significant speeches, fashion, and fads.
Pro-Con #
Select one question and develop two contrasting speeches of up to four minutes apiece:
- Resolved, the perceived disparity between men’s and women’s sports is a concern.
Resolved, the United States should play a major role in international conflicts and development.
Resolved, generative artificial intelligence influences human thinking and creativity.
Resolved, civility should play a central role in public discourse.
Resolved, Wisconsin should protect and promote natural biodiversity, including regulated invasive species and reintroducing native species.
Special Occasion #
Choose one occasion:
- Reality show audition
- Pitch to support a new podcast series
- Speech to raise funds for a cause/charity
- Criminal allocution statement
Category Descriptions #
Brief descriptions are not a substitute for full rules. Please consult the Middle Level Speech Handbook on the Middle Level Speech Contests page.
Public Speaking #
Students write original speeches, and may use one 4″ x 6″ note card, where students are encouraged to outline or include speaking points, rather than word-for-word manuscripts (so they can engage better with audiences).
| Max. Time | Max. Time | Visuals | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expository Speech | 4 min. | Present a speech with a narrow enough topic to be developed adequately in the time provided to share knowledge, educate and/or raise awareness. | |
| Extemporaneous Speech | 6 min. | 30 minutes prior to speaking, the contestant will select a question from which to phrase a direct and clear answer and support it with evidence and reasoning. | |
| Informative/Demonstration Speech | 10 min. | 1-2 speakers offer new information, fresh perspective, and/or instruction to allow an audience to gain knowledge and understanding of a topic and/or process. | |
| Moments in History | 6 min. | Explore an historical topic within prescribed topics, using such sources as archival records, diaries, personal interviews, letters, newspapers, etc. | |
| News Reporting | 10 min. | 1-3 students develop a newscast surrounding current events, suitable for TV or radio, reading from a manuscript. | |
| Persuasive Speech | 8 min. | Persuade with compelling language by offering a solution to a problem; to take action in response to a situation; or potentially reinforce and strengthen attitudes. | |
| Pro-Con (Pilot) | Two X 4 min. | Present two speeches of up to 4. min. with contrasting viewpoints on one of the prescribed annual questions provided by WISDAA. | |
| Special Occasion | 4 min. | Responding to a prescribed topic area, deliver a speech appropriate to a specific occasion and its probable audience by entertaining, persuading, or informing. |
Performance of Literature #
Contestants interpret literature to convey the human existence, exploring psychology of characters, to mine the artistry of language, and/or cultivate arguments surrounding themes/issues. Key: Book = performed from manuscript; Brain = memorized.
| Category | Max. Time | Mode | Genres | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Original Oratory | 8 min. | / | Speech | The contestant presents a speech originally delivered by someone else. |
| Play Acting | 10 min. | Single play (dramatic literature) | 2-7 performers act a scene or cutting from a single play with emphasis on character development, ensemble, and appropriate physical movement. | |
| Poetry Reading | 8 min. | Poetry, verse, song lyrics | One or more poems center on a theme or emotion; delivery mines the artistry of language. | |
| Prose Reading | 8 min. | Short stories, cuttings from novels, drama, essays, nonfiction | One or more works of prose — including short stories, cutting from novels, drama, essays, or other non-fiction work — center on a specific theme or emotion. | |
| Readers Theatre | 10 min. | Any genre | 2-7 readers compile and present a script with symbolic interpretation such that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being performed. | |
| Solo Acting | 8 min. | Any genre | The contestant convincingly acts characterization(s) to transport the audience to the world of the material peformed. | |
| Storytelling | 8 min. | / | Any genre; most often, narrative prose | Chronicle and perform events in a coherent, unified, clear, and interesting manner, while seated and conveying a sense of audience for one of the prescribed topic areas. |
