Speech

The Seattle Academy Speech Team offers the opportunity for students to be part of a competitive and supportive team, regardless of experience level. Starting in high school, students have the option to participate in Speech either through a course elective that allows students to prepare and practice during the academic day, or participating in extracurricular planning and competitions. The elective course is not a requirement to participate and compete with the team. While the Speech Team isn’t open to Middle School students, all 7th grade students take a Rhetoric course which exposes them to skills and strategies used on the team. As determined by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, Speech includes the following eight events:

-Dramatic Interpretation
-Duo Interpretation
-Extemporaneous Speaking
-Expository Speaking
-Humorous Interpretation
-Impromptu Speaking
-Program of Oral Interpretation (Prose and Poetry)
-Original Oratory (Persuasive)

Our Speech Team and Debate Team share a simple philosophy: success is the growth of every member in an environment where each individual victory is enjoyed by all. We will always bring a strong team to competitions, but our primary goal is that each member is able to be happy with the wins, and supportive with the losses. We achieve this goal through hard work and dedication from every team competitor. Our team members are challenged to leave their comfort zones, express themselves, and model excellence for SAAS.

Additional Information about SAAS Speech

MEET THE SPEECH FACULTY

Washington State District 2 League and Competitions

National Speech and Debate Association

Follow @saasspeechanddebate on Instagram

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Season Expectations

Speech tournaments occur at local high schools and colleges, as well as national settings, generally on Saturdays. The season begins in mid-October and generally lasts until March. Three meets is the minimum requirement for participation, either in the class or extra-curricular. There is no fee for local competition, national competition may include airfare paid for by the competitor.

Upper School Speech Calendar

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Meet Our Coach

Chris Goodson

Upper School Rhetoric, Speech & Debate, Mock Trial Teacher

Rhetoric

Originally from Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, Chris has also lived extensively in Los Angeles and Seattle. As an actor and stage carpenter, Chris has worked with various theater companies, as well as working in television and film. Chris holds a BFA in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts, an MA in Theater Arts from California State University, Los Angeles, and a PhD in Theater History and Theory from the University of Washington, where his research centered on the use of theater as a tool of social justice among undocumented Latinx communities. He has taught Cinema History, Theater History, and Dramatic Literature at Shoreline Community College, Cornish College, and Seattle University. Chris is extremely excited to combine his scholarly and performative experience as the incoming teacher of Rhetoric, Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial.

Awards / Accomplishments

2009-1st Place, Expository, National Individual Events Tournament of Champions

   2001-2nd place WA 3A State tournament
   2002-3A WA State Team Champions
   2003-3A WA State Team Champions
   2007-3rd place WA 3A State tournament
   2008-3A WA State Team Champions
   2009-3A WA State Team Champions
   2010-3A WA State Team Champions
   2011-3A WA State Team Champions
   2012-3A WA State Team Champions
   2013-3A WA State Team Champions
   2014-3A WA State Team Champions
   2015-3A WA State Team Champions
   2016-3A WA State Team Champions
   2017-3rd place WA 3A State tournament
   2018-3rd place WA 3A State tournament

   The above list also includes 25 individual Washington event state champions, numerous
   finalists (top seven in the state) and, most important, over 450 kids who have found their
   voices.

Speech at SAAS FAQ

How many tournaments are there, and when are they?

What kinds of speeches do the students do?

Here's a brief rundown. If you ever have questions beyond this, your first stop will be your Event Captain.

Original Oratory – 8-10 minutes on persuasive topic of student’s choice, student-written, memorized.
Expository - 7 minutes on informative topic of student's choice, student-written, memorized.
Dramatic/Humorous Interp - 8-10 minutes from a play, memorized, student playing all parts.
Dual Interp – Two man version of the same event.
Interpretive Reading - 6-8 minutes of combined poetry and prose on a single theme. Read during performance.
Extemporaneous – Student has choice of two current event topics, then is given 30 minutes to prepare a 5 to 7 minute speech, researched from the team’s files constructed throughout the year.
Impromptu - Student has choice of three broad, lighter topics (quotes, names, etc.) and has six minutes to both prepare and speak on one.

Does is cost anything to be on the Speech Team?

Can parents come watch?

Absolutely! Parents are welcomed and downright encouraged to come and visit tournaments and watch rounds! As long as you bring us snacks. Seriously, Saturdays can get long and kids need to either bring food with them or have money for buying food at the concession areas provided as most tournaments do not allow students to leave the campus.
Be warned: If you do come, there is a good chance I will put you to work! We always need judges. We do not have much of a judging pool and we generally have to provide one judge for every 5 or 6 kids who come to a tournament. You can learn everything you need to know to get started in about an hour and we will teach you!