The 13th Annual California Middle School
Speech and Debate State Championship
Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut California
May 19-21, 2023
(Invitation Version 1.0)

You may access the invitation and entry system at
https://forensicstournament.net/CaliforniaMiddleSchoolState/23

Greetings to all middle school speech and debate clubs and schools!

California Middle School Forensics is proud to announce the 13th annual California State Championship. This tournament is meant to encourage a healthy competition at the state level and provide an opportunity to sharpen competitive speeches before the national tournament.

We’re back to in-person this year, and thankfully, Mt. San Antonio College has agreed to host the tournament.

The schedule may need to be extended, depending on interest in events. For example, in previous years, additional elimination rounds for Impromptu and SPAR have been needed to accommodate the number of entries. We will try to notify teams of any schedule changes as soon as possible.

The tournament will be held on May 19-21, 2023! Please feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone who might be interested in attending.

Address:

1100 N Grand Ave

Walnut, CA 91789

Tab Staff:

Robert Cannon (Wilshire Academy)

Mike Kyle (Nova 42)

Victor Rivas Umana (Golden State)

Rules/Event Descriptions:

All events will follow CMSF rules. For full list of event descriptions, tournament procedures, and round design, please go to SCJFL.org and click on the RULES & BY-LAWS. Please note: some tournament procedures in the by-laws are unique to this state tournament only. Such rules and procedures are marked as “CMSF,” but in the absence of such indications, all other SCJFL rules will apply. If you have any questions about rules or procedures, please feel free to reach out through the e-mail below.

Postings:

Postings will be sent to each student before the round begins. Coaches should update their student rosters on ForensicsTournament.net to include the cell numbers or the e-mail addresses for each student. Once the posting preference is selected, coaches can test that the cell/e-mail is getting through to the student(s).

Entries:

Entries are due on Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific.

You may access the invitation and entry system at

https://forensicstournament.net/CaliforniaMiddleSchoolState/22

Awards:

All competitors advancing to an elimination round shall be awarded for doing so. The tournament shall award school sweepstakes awards for the top three overall schools. Points shall be calculated in accordance to the CMSF rules and by-laws.

Eligibility:

This event is run by the California Middle School Forensics(CMSF), which is a subsidiary of the Southern California Junior Forensics League (SCJFL). All schools, clubs, after-schools, and home schools are permitted entry, provided they are in good standing with both leagues. No league membership fee is required for this tournament.

Students from 5th grade - 8th grade are permitted to compete at this tournament.

Special Rules:

In keeping with the CMSF by-laws, we would like to call your attention to a few items that may be different from other tournaments.

- No publication requirements for interpretation events. While students may not write pieces themselves unless the event requires it, but are allowed students to use literature from any source, published or non-published.

- SPAR times are the following: (2 prep) Pro 2; Con 2; Cross 4; Pro 2; Con 2.

- Performative plagiarism, as outlined on in the CMSF Rules & By-laws, prevents the “copying the performance of other performers.” Please review this section of the rules for all students entered in interpretation events.

- This tournament will not break brackets for debate outrounds.

Wellness:

We have designed the schedule for this tournament with great care. While we have tried to provide students with the opportunity to compete in as many events as possible, this comes at a potential risk. We ask that students carefully consider the schedule before deciding to enter multiple events. The tournament will not delay rounds for students who did not attend a round on time. Furthermore, students who insist on doing both speech and debate events may risk missing lunch breaks.

Judges:

One of our biggest concerns is that we do not run late. We require each judge to use a laptop or mobile device to record onto ballots. All judge training shall be the responsibility of the school registering that judge. Schools who register judges that are not well-equipped or properly trained may be fined delay of tournament fees.

Events:

Pattern A (Students may not enter events in pattern D)

- Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Resolved: Nationals topic announced May 1st, 2023)

- Public Forum Debate (Resolved: Nationals topic announced May 1st, 2023)

- Big Questions (Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.)

Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Big Questions will all be randomly assigned for the first two rounds and then power-matched for the remaining preliminary rounds. All elimination rounds will be standard bracket rounds. SPAR rounds are paired and run similar to an IE event. Please see the CMSF Rules & By-laws for more specific information.

Debate only schedule:

Friday: May 19th, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)

12:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)

3:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)

6:00 p.m. Round 4 Pattern A (PF, LD) Finals (Big Q)

Saturday: May 20th, 2023

11:00 a.m. Rd. 5 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q,)

12:30 p.m. Debate lunch

2:30 p.m. Double-octas Pattern A (PF, LD)

6:00 p.m. Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD) / Semifinals (Big Q)

Sunday: May 21st, 2023

11:00 a.m. Debate lunch break

12:00 p.m. Pattern A Quarterfinals (PF, LD)

3:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern A (PF, LD) / Finals (Big Q)

5:00 p.m. Finals Pattern A (PF, LD)

8:30 p.m. AwardsPattern B

(may enter no more than two from the following):

Prose (use of manuscript required, 7 min. maximum)

Humorous Interpretation (10 min. maximum)

Persuasive/Original Oratory (no visual aids, 10 min. maximum)

Duo Interpretation (10 min. maximum)

Speech to Entertain (no visual aids allowed, 5 min. maximum)

Impromptu (7 min. bank)

Round 1 - Concrete nouns

Round 2 - Abstract nouns

Round 3 - Proverbs

Quarterfinal Round - Quotations

Semifinal Round - Quotations

Final Round - Quotations

Pattern B Individual Events Only

Saturday: May 20th, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

9:30 a.m. Round 2 B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

11:00 a.m. IE Lunch break

1:00 p.m. Round 3 B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

4:00 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, IMP)

7:30 p.m. Elim 2 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, IMP)

Sunday: May 21st, 2023

8:30 p.m. Awards

Pattern C

(may enter no more than two from the following):

Dramatic Interpretation (10 min. maximum)

Declamation (10 min. maximum)

Poetry (use of manuscript required, 7 min. maximum)

Storytelling (5 min. maximum)

Informative (visual aids are allowed, 10 min. maximum)

Program Oral Interp (use of manuscript required, 10 min. maximum)

(may enter only one from the following):

Extemporaneous Speaking (30 min. of prep / 7 min. maximum)

Topic areas (in no particular order):

The Americas

US Economy

Middle East

Domestic News

Science & Technology

Pattern C Individual Events Only

Sunday: May 21st, 2023

7:30 a.m. Extemp Draw

8:00 a.m. Rd. 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Ext, POI, Info)

9:00 a.m. Extemp Draw

9:30 a.m. Rd. 2 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Ext, POI, Info)

10:30 a.m. Extemp Draw

11:00 a.m. Rd. 3 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Ext, POI, Info)

12:00 p.m. IE Lunch break

1:30 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Ext, POI, Info)

5:00 p.m. Elim 2 C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Ext, POI, Info)

8:30 p.m. Awards

Pattern D (Students may not enter events in pattern A)

- Congress - Congress docket will be made available two weeks before the start of the tournament (Friday, May 5th, 2023).

- Policy Debate (Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.)

- World Schools Debate

Round 1: Will be announce 2 weeks before the tournament

Round 2: Impromptu (Announced at the tournament)

Round 3: Will be announce 2 weeks before the tournament

Round 4: Impromptu (Announced at the tournament)

Round 5: Will be announce 2 weeks before the tournament

Elim 1: Impromptu (Announced at the tournament)

Elim 2 (if needed): Impromptu (Announced at the tournament)

Elim 3 (if needed): Impromptu (Announced at the tournament)

Policy/World Schools will be randomly assigned for the first two rounds and then power-matched for the remaining preliminary rounds. All elimination rounds will be standard bracket rounds. The schedule for outrounds may be adjusted depending on entry numbers. In the case that additional Policy outrounds are added, competitors may have to choose between competing in the additional outround or competing in pattern C events.

Pattern D only Schedule:

Friday: May 19, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

12:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

3:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

Saturday: May 20th, 2023

11:00 a.m. Round 4 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

12:30 p.m. Congress Lunch

2:30 p.m. Round 5 Pattern D (Pol, WS) Semifinals (Cong)

6:00 p.m. Elim Round 1 (Pol, WS, Cong)

Sunday: May 21st, 2023

12:00 p.m. Elim 2 Pattern D (Pol, WS)/Elim Round 2 (if needed) (Cong)

8:30 p.m. Awards

Pattern E

- SPAR (Topics will be provided at the tournament)

***Please note that the semifinals of SPAR will occur at the same time as finals of pattern B, and the finals of SPAR will happen at the same time as the finals of pattern C.***

Pattern E only Schedule:

Friday: May 19th, 2023

10:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern E (SPAR)

11:30 p.m. Lunch break

1:30 p.m. Round 2 Pattern E (SPAR)

4:30 p.m. Round 3 Pattern E (SPAR)

7:30 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern E (SPAR)

Saturday: May 20th, 2023

7:30 p.m. Elim 2 Pattern E (SPAR)

Sunday: May 21st, 2023

5:00 p.m. Elim 3 Pattern E (SPAR)

8:30 p.m. Awards (earlier if possible)

Full Combined Schedule*:

Friday: May 19, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)/Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

10:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern E (SPAR)

11:30 p.m. Lunch break

12:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)/Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

1:30 p.m. Round 2 Pattern E (SPAR)

3:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q) /

Round 3 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

4:30 p.m. Round 3 Pattern E (SPAR)

6:00 p.m. Round 4 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q)

7:30 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern E (SPAR)

Saturday: May 20, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

9:30 a.m. Round 2 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

11:00 a.m. Round 5 Pattern A (PF, LD, Big Q) / Round 4 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

11:00 a.m. IE Lunch break

12:30 p.m. Debate/Congress lunch break

1:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

2:30 p.m. Double-Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD) /

Semifinal Pattern D (Cong)/Round 5 Pattern D(Pol, WS,)

4:00 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp)

6:00 p.m. Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD)/Semifinals Pattern A (Big Q)/

Elim 1 (Pol, WS, Cong)

7:30 p.m. Elim 2 Pattern B (Pro, HI, Per, Duo, STE, Imp) /

Elim 2 Pattern E (SPAR)

Sunday: May 21, 2023

8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Info, POI, Ext)

9:30 a.m. Round 2 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Info, POI, Ext)

11:00 a.m. Round 3 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Info, POI, Ext)

11:00 a.m. Debate lunch break

12:00 p.m. Quarterfinals Pattern A (PF, LD) /

Elim 2 Pattern D (Pol, WS, Cong)

12:00 p.m. IE Lunch break

1:30 p.m. Elim 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Info, POI, Ext)

3:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern A (PF, LD) Finals Pattern A (Big Q)

5:00 p.m. Elim 2 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Poe, Sty, Info, POI, Ext) / Elim 3 Pattern E (SPAR) / Finals Pattern A (PF, LD)

8:30 p.m. Awards

*This schedule is subject to change based on the need for more rounds because of entry size.

Fees will be assessed on Friday May 12th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. PST. Any changes after this date will be subject to the following penalties.

Students who drop from the tournament will be charged a $20 no show fee for each student if the coach notifies the tournament before the dropped round. Students who drop without notifying the tournament will be charged a $30 no show fee.

Judge adds will no longer be permitted after registration close; all judges must have names and contact information in the school’s roster.

Please pay all fees to an account below by Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at noon Pacific. Fees must be paid through the registration page by clicking on the ‘Tournament Fees’ tab on the left side of the page. All fees will be frozen at the time of registration close.

$50 school fee

$20 per IE/Congress/Spar event-entry ($40 per Duo team)

$40 per one-person debate entry

$50 per two-person debate entry

$60 per World Schools entry

$40 judging fee per uncovered IE event-entry (One judge covers 5 IE event-entries)

$100 per uncovered debate event-entry (One judge covers 2 LD/PD/PFD event-entries)

$25 per change after Friday, May 13th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific.

$50 No-show fee per competitor (event fees will not be refunded after deadline).

$200 dropped judge fee (per day) after May 18th, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific.

$20 No-show judge fee (first offense); $40 No-show judge fee (second offense); $50 No-show judge fee (each subsequent offense).*

Judges who do not write sufficient feedback to the competitors will be fined $20 per round. Unsatisfactory ballots will be determined by the tabulation staff.

The tournament reserves the right to deny schools who do not supply at least half of their required judges. We will do our best to ensure that no schools are denied because of this reason.

Coaches’ Meeting:

We will host a coaches’ meeting for all schools on Saturday, May 20th (room to be announced). The purpose of the meeting is to ask for community guidance and direction. We will also hold elections during this meeting. In accordance with our by-laws, the meeting will be audio recorded and then distributed to members after the competition. We encourage each school to send a representative to the meeting to give voice to your school’s concerns and thoughts.

Contact:

Tournament Director - Robert Cannon: Robert@Cannonballofdeath.com

Individual Events Tabulation - Mike Kyle: mike@nova42.com

Debate Events Tabulation - Victor Rivas Umana: vrivasumana@tgsastaff.com