About PHSSL
Organization
State Office - (570)-372-4300
oin
The Pennsylvania High School Speech League was founded in 1961. Susquehanna University has been PHSSL's home office since September, 1992. Its overall purpose is to stimulate through educational competition an understanding and appreciation of all areas of speech. In addition, the League:
- Promotes various kinds of speech activities in high schools of Pennsylvania
- Assists schools in curricular and extracurricular speech programs
- Maintains a high quality of achievement
- Encourages the participation of many students instead of a few.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any public, private or parochial high school in the state. Currently, more than 150 schools are members of the League. The state is divided into 13 districts. Students compete in district tournaments which qualify them for the state competition.
BENEFITS
Participation in the League meets four of the Fifteen Goals of Quality Education:
- Acquire communication skills of understanding, speaking, listening, reading and writing
- Develop self-understanding and a sense of self-worth
- Develop analytical thinking skills
- Acquire knowledge, appreciation and skills in the Arts and Humanities.
Participation in the League provides opportunities for academic competition.
Participation in the League provides access to our newsletter, the Communicator, three times during the school year.
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
PHSSL provides competition at both the district and state levels in a variety of events. The State Drama Festival is held in December. District speech competitions are usually held in February and the State Tournament in March.
Drama: Competition in drama is held at the regional and state levels. A school performs a one-act play or cutting of a longer work with more than two characters. Two schools advance from each region to the state finals. Competitions are held during the first semester.
Cross Examination Debate: A clash of two, two-person teams, one affirmative and one negative, on the annual national policy resolution. The affirmative presents a case for change in the present system. The negative supports the present system or a counter-proposal for change.
Public Forum Debate: A clash of two, two person teams, one pro and one con on a contemporary resolustion. National topics change every month.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate: A clash of two debaters, one affirmative and one negative, on a values topic. National topics change every two months.
Oral Interpretation of Poetry: A contestant interprets with script in hand one or more poems. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Oral Interpretation of Prose: A contestant interprets with script in hand a cutting from a short story or novel. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Dramatic Interpretation: A contestant chooses a cutting from a serious play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Humorous Interpretation: A contestant chooses a cutting from a humorous play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Informative Speaking: Original speeches teach or explain a concept or idea. Time limit: 7 minutes.
Extemporaneous Speaking: A contestant selects a topic about a current issue. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes.
Persuasive Speaking: Original speeches convince the audience. Time limit: 10 minutes.
Commentary: A continuation of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. Knowledge of events and some history is required. Contestants seated at a table or desk for the presentation. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes.
Duo Interpretation: “Literature” is defined as a single stage, screen, television, radio play, fictional or non-fictional work or poem. All selections must be published or commercially available in print, audio, or video form. Time limit: 10 minutes.In addition, competition in the following events are held at the state level only:
Radio Announcing: A contestant presents a two-minute news broadcast. In subsequent rounds, prepared scripts are used.
Impromptu Speaking: In a limited amount of time a student prepares a brief speech on topics such as proverbs, aphorisms or quotations. Preparation time: 5 minutes. Time limit: 5 minutes.
Student Congress: In this event students take on the roles of legislators. Using parliamentary procedure, students debate bills and resolutions on current issues.
