The Extemper's BibleQuestion: How will recent cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs impact veterans’ healthcare nationwide? Thought Process: There were recent cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs which have threatened the stability of a healthcare system that millions of veterans rely on as their primary or only source of care. The VA serves a population […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions
One of the most common anxieties extempers face isn’t finding sources or analyzing the question–it’s simply remembering what they want to say. When the round starts, adrenaline spikes, and your flow evaporates from your memory. But here’s the truth: Memory in extemp is not about memorization. It’s about how you structure your thinking, your writing, […]
Question: How should California strengthen its wildfire preparedness strategy? Thought Process: California has seen major deficiencies in its response and preparedness for ravaging wildfires. Just last year, the Palisade wildfires swept through Southern California, destroying homes and thousands of acres of property in its wrath. Concerns over how prepared California was for the catastrophe has […]
A: The Problem In most cases, having a routine for tournaments is a good thing. Knowing what you’re going to wear, how you’re going to use your time pre-round, how long it’ll take you to prepare your breakfast, etc. are all helpful tools to eliminate decision-making fatigue and conserve your energy for speaking. For many […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions
Question: Is the United States a healthier nation than it was 10 years ago? Thought Process: The United States is less healthy now than it was 10 years ago because mental health issues have increased, more people are using drugs, and obesity rates have risen. Poor lifestyle choices, social isolation, and environmental factors have worsened […]
Whether or not your local tournaments require it, most major invitationals and national-level tournaments mandate on-paper extemp prep. That means your research tech stays on the table, and your prep comes with you only in the form of what you can write down. Paper prep refers to using a physical medium, be it a legal […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions
Nov. 21, 2025 Question: How should Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo respond to rising anti-government protests? Thought Process: A few weeks ago, Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo was killed after echoing calls for combatting the cartels, sparking major protests against the government and President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. Since coming into office, Sheinbaum has held significant popularity, […]
It’s a Sunday morning, and you’re watching a major national final round. The first speaker comes out with a question on natural disasters: “let’s give 5 big booms to the victims of flooding in Malaysia!” The crowd shifts in uncomfortable laughter. For an event that relies overwhelmingly on humor for entertainment value, something about that […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions
Background Nicolás Maduro has maintained strong control over Venezuela in terms of their political and economic systems since the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013. This power has persisted even through the widespread accusations of corruption during the 2024 elections with the backing of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the country’s security […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions
Question: Is the future of the Democratic Party to the Center or to the left? Thought Process: After the significant loss of the Democrat party during the 2024 elections, many Democrats are reassessing if they’ve gone too far left. Considering that moderate voters are always the battleground in elections, it’s essential to understand why shifting […]
November 6th, 2025 Question: Should the United States prioritize alliances or domestic reform to maintain its global leadership? Thought Process: The U.S., under the Trump administration is redeveloping its foreign policy, rooted in a methodology to promote the prioritization of American interests in both global and domestic affairs. As Trump employs tariff policy to shape […]
Speech and debate is an activity rooted in activism and protest. Through community, forensics competitors are given a platform to use their voices to uplift the marginalized and bring attention to the societal and political issues that mean the most to them. Though every competition event faces its own struggles concerning ethicality in advocacy, extemp […]
October 30th, 2025 Question: Will Trump’s agreements with ASEAN hold? Thought Process: Tensions are mounting as questions arise over the durability of President Trump’s new trade and security arrangements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). While the agreements promised renewed U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific, skepticism persists among member states over Washington’s consistency, […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical A group of high school students team up to create a new strain of influenza using a rotten piece of cheese recovered on the campus grounds, the new strain quickly spreads and infects communities. How can the US best respond to this new pandemic?
October 22nd, 2025 Question: Can the federal shutdown erode public trust and key services? Thought Process: The government shutdown is now nearing a month, and while Democrats and Republicans fail to arrive at an agreement on the budget, deadlock threatens services from various departments and agencies and the subsequent trust in those institutions and government.
In Extemp, it is easy to get caught up in the stress of only 30 minutes of preparation and forget about arguably the most important thing in determining your success: the judge. Judges aren’t robots that score you off of a rubric. Although they may look for certain things in both your content and presentation, […]
Domestic International
Question: Is Thailand on the brink of a political crisis? Thought Process: Currently, Thailand has seen heightened political tension, mainly caused by differences between modern-minded citizens and traditional military-royalist groups. An opposition movement has currently gained public support, growing the frustration across the population. Economic slowdowns and continued inequality under the present political party are […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical John Cena makes a political run, becoming Mayor of Los Angeles in a tight competition; it all goes wrong when Cena turns out to be invisible, making it impossible for constituents and employees alike to see him. How can local officials work with the invisible mayor to solve […]
The Econ Problem If you’ve ever been in a large prep room when tab staff announced that econ would be the next round’s topic area, you know that reactions tend to be mixed. Some extempers leap from their seats and applaud right away. They were born for this. The Fed is their Roman Empire and […]
October 9th, 2025 Question: Will teacher shortages worsen learning gaps across U.S. schools? Thought Process: In the status quo, we see nationwide teacher shortages that continue to threaten the classroom experience, and as educators face lower salaries, weak benefits and difficult students; getting new and experienced educators alike into the classroom has become a challenge. […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical Suppose the Pentagon officially rebrands as the “Department of War” and starts selling merch. Will the United States finally win the battle for international dominance and persuade countries like Russia to end their conflicts, if the United States says so?
This summer marked the 100th anniversary of the National Speech and Debate Association. Over the last few decades, the NSDA and extemp have undergone major shifts that shaped the event into what we recognize today. In the spirit of Confucius’s advice to “study the past if you would define the future,” revisiting the legacy of […]
Question: How will India respond to recent U.S. tariffs on its economy? Thought Process: In answering, balance India’s policy options, targeted countermeasures, World Trade Organization litigation, and sectoral relief. Emphasize diplomatic signaling, supply-chain reorientation, and the distinction between short-term economic shock and somewhat longer-term adjustment. Increased retaliation Divisions in the Market More investor reassurance through […]
By now, the fabulous writers at the Extemper’s Bible have probably taught you all there is to know about the rules of extemp. You know what substructure belongs in what kind of speech, when to use humor, and how to keep a judge engaged. But no formula is ever 100% perfect, and formulaic speeches don’t […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical Tim “Apple” Cook releases an army of “iSoldiers” to the streets, in an attempt to launch a full takeover of major cities like New York and Los Angeles. How can the Federal Government best respond to the unrest and violence that follows?
Question: How are higher H-1B fees affecting the American tech industry? USX Thought Process: President Trump’s recent policy changes to H1B Visas have stirred controversy and concern in America’s Tech industry. With a yearly price tag of $100,000 on each H1B visa holder, the future of the visa and its viability for these companies has […]
Background Nepal has descended into one of the most turbulent political times in recent history. What began last month as an outcry over a government shutdown of 26 social sites, including YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, soon blossomed into mass protests, harsh suppression, and ultimately Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation. The shutdown, decreed in response […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical Donald Trump gets carded not for his ID, but for a H-1B visa. This sparks a public debate on how the U.S. immigration system struggles with even the simplest tasks. How should the U.S. immigration system handle the balance requests of the Executive branch?
Question: Who is the best mediating party in Sudan? Thought Process: Sudan’s conflict is a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis, with failed ceasefires and violence between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. Many groups, like the African Union, the U.S., and Gulf states, have attempted to mediate the conflict. A balanced approach to credibility and […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Weekly Hypothetical: Spongebob comes to life in the form of a megasized sponge, sucking up the waters at Lake Victoria in Uganda and depleting the Nile’s freshwater supply. How can African Governments best respond to the drought that follows?
Ah, yes. The all too familiar sense of undeniable guilt when consuming any form of media that isn’t extemp-centered. Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ was just released? So was the newest episode of ‘The NPR Politics Podcast’! The newest episode of ‘Love Island’ is airing? So is MSNBC- plus it has 24/7 coverage. You’ve just bought […]
Question: How will Japan’s prime minister resignation impact leadership and Asian stability? Thought Process: When answering this question, it’s vital to consider Japan’s influence in the South East Asian region, and how domestic politics can spill over into Diplomacy. Shigeru Ishaba’s departure from the premiership is paving the way for a consistent pattern of a […]
The AGD is the most important part of an Extemp speech, but can also be the most difficult. Think about the last great extemp speech you saw, at TOC, NSDA, etc. Odds are, the first 15 seconds weren’t packed with any quantitative statistics or policy analysis. Instead, they were memorable because they made the judge […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Hypothetical If a massive cyberattack originating from Dubai, fueled by the soaring demand for Dubai chocolate, crippled global cloud services, what steps should the U.S. take to protect digital infrastructure and maintain international stability?
Question: How will the firing of the CDC Director impact public health in America? Thought Process:Currently, fear and paranoia are spreading as health issues across the country go unaddressed due to the lack of strong CDC leaders. I wanted to build on this fear and make my argument address the emotional impact, tapping into the […]
Domestic Extemp Questions International Extemp Questions Weekly Hypothetical A chemical gas is released into the streets of Florida and Governor Ron Desantis and other officials become Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, declaring Florida as an independent Teenage Mutant Ninja State. What steps should the Federal Government take to maintain order and bring Florida back into the […]
When most extempers think about prep, they tend to focus on evidence, structure, and delivery. And, rightfully so. As a result, though, transitions often get neglected. And while it’s certainly important to ensure the body of your speech is fleshed out before shifting your focus to transitions, doing so can be incredibly valuable. Transitions are […]
DX Trump has expressed frustration in recent days over the state of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine The House Is Close To Passing a Moratorium on State Efforts To Regulate AI US lifts ban on New York offshore wind project after gas compromise Google says it will appeal online search antitrust decision Trump […]
DX – Kavin Selva Will the tariff truce last between the United States and China? First Thoughts – I know that the trade war between the United States started roughly halfway through Trump’s first presidency. The original justification for increasing tariffs was that China engaged in unfair economic practices, with issues such as intellectual property […]
DX US-China truce cools down trade war, for now Trump Is Poised to Accept a Luxury 747 From Qatar for Use as Air Force One How proposed changes to Medicaid are expected to impact near-elderly Americans Eli Lilly looks set to steal Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss crown Freed Israeli-American hostage leaves Gaza, Israel says no ceasefire […]
Eric Qian – IX Should OPEC work with its member countries to establish a bloc-wide sovereign wealth fund to ensure economic stability post-oil? This question is one of the released questions for the 2025 NIETOC—it’s from round 2 on regional alliances (IX). Upon reading this question, the answer is probably yes. OPEC needs to diversify […]
DX Trump administration says it will pay immigrants in the US illegally $1,000 to leave the country Former ambassador John Negroponte discusses changes to Trump’s national security team US Congress wrestles with Trump tax bill, aims to finish by July 4 Why Trump hates the U.S. trade deficit and what that means for you Dozens […]
DX – Eric Qian Will the Supreme Court vote to uphold Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship? This question is from this year’s Harvard tournament. It’s tricky for many reasons; first, predicting Supreme Court decisions is just naturally hard, and second, there’s both a legal and a political approach to the question. I don’t […]
DX What Would It Take For The Fed To Cut Interest Rates? An expert breaks down Zuckerberg’s big week in court Is Donald Trump about to bomb Iran or rebuild it? The race to sanction Russia’s growing shadow fleet Exclusive: Trump officials eye changes to Biden’s AI chip export rule, sources say IX All smiles […]
IX – Eric Qian What will be Yoon Suk Yeol’s legacy? To be completely honest, this is not a fun question. Not a complicated one—but weirdly broad and predictive. A politician’s legacy is determined by what they’re remembered for; that’s determined by common themes across their time in office. One theme I see with Yoon […]
One of the biggest challenges in extemp is balancing preparation with performance. For beginners and even seasoned speakers, last-minute cramming can lead to either blanking out mid-speech or overloading your brain with facts you barely understand. Reducing your prep time doesn’t mean doing less, instead, it means doing smarter, targeted practice that helps you actually […]
DX Tech Bull Slashes Tesla Stock Price Target, Urges Elon Musk to ‘Read the Room’ Senate GOP passes budget plan, setting up a critical next phase for Trump agenda The University President Willing to Fight Trump Using funding to ‘force concessions’ threatens institutions, Princeton president says Tesla’s Cybercab and Semi sourcing disrupted by Trump’s tariffs, […]
IX – Eric Qian Now that the Sudanese Armed Forces have recaptured Khartoum, is the civil war nearing an end? This is a tricky prediction question, but I think it’s helpful to think about what makes civil wars come to an end. The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces would need to negotiate […]
If you haven’t read Part 1 of our Delivery Series, make sure to check that out soon to learn about clear pronunciation, maintaining fluency, and delivery practice drills. Now, onto engagement and hand gestures! Before we start, think about what your paradigm of an engaging extemp speech looks like. National Circuit Extemp/NSDA Final Rounds are […]
DX The U.S. Needs to Build More Houses in Future Receiving Cities Inside the Hunt for Putin’s Sleeper Agents Can Musk put people on Mars? Senate Democrats take stock of their shutdown pickle A Quarter-Billion Dollars for Defamation: Inside Greenpeace’s Huge Loss IX Myanmar quake death toll hits 1,700 as aid scramble intensifies Sudan’s army […]
What’s up, extempers! As the local and regular national circuit season comes to an end, larger and higher stakes tournaments come around the corner: Tournament of Champions, Extemp TOC, NIETOC, NCFLs, and NSDAs. It’s the cycle of extemp, sleep, repeat… right? Sure it is. No matter where you are in your preparation journey – I’ve […]
Happy practicing! DX Analyzing DOGE actions one month into Trump’s second administration Dangerous cracks in US democracy pillars Trump and Zelenskyy through the years: From a ‘perfect’ call to pausing US assistance to Ukraine Trump Administration Dialing Back Support for H.I.V. Prevention The response to the COVID-19 pandemic: With hindsight what lessons can we learn? […]
Are pre-tournament jitters getting you down? You’re not alone! In this article, Shriya Surana breaks down strategies to elevate your confidence and performance.
DX – Kavin Selva How will recent changes to Southwest’s business model impact the American airline industry? First thoughts – My first thoughts here are about the substructure I’ll use for this question. The first subpoint will be a change Southwest has implemented, and the second subpoint will be an effect on the industry. Looking […]
Happy practicing! DX Trump threatens funding cut to colleges allowing ‘illegal protests’ Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk Trump’s efforts to help Tesla could hurt it instead Backyard s’mores believed to be the origin of Long Island fires, investigators say Southwest as you knew it is gone forever IX North […]
Introduction If you’ve ever watched National Circuit Extemp, you’ve likely noticed that top Extempers share a distinct vocal style. Their delivery is smooth, polished, and clean, which is often recognizable as a traditional “extemp voice”. Top Extempers share a range of distinct delivery tactics to enhance their speech, including a steady tonal quality, controlled inflection, […]
Hi viewers! Bible content team here – we’re excited to announce a change in our content. We know y’all can subscribe to things like newsletters to learn about what’s going on in the world, so we’re shifting away from our typical content brief articles. Instead, we’ll be publishing question briefs. In these question briefs, we’ll […]
Kay Rollins and April Zhang were kind enough to share the Extemp questions for the 2025 Harvard Tournment! Happy practicing! Africa and the Middle East US Politics The Americas US Economy Octos: Europe Quarters: US Social Semis: Asia and Oceania Finals: Hypotheticals
Happy practicing! DX Judge deliberates after DOJ pushes to end corruption case against NYC Mayor Adams How Michigan’s EV industry is responding to Trump’s policy changes US sides with Russia in UN resolutions on Ukraine Cuts to U.S. weather and climate research could put public safety at risk US judge allows Trump’s AP Oval Office […]
Happy practicing! DX JD Vance Aced His First Test. The Next One Will Be Tougher. Trump’s USAID Shutdown Alarms Republican Allies Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 8 How Cuts to NIH Research Funding Would Hurt States Why dismantling the PCLOB and CSRB threatens privacy and national security IX What does Trump’s […]
From our latest podcast episode, Kate Liu journeys through the writing process and motivations of NIETOC question writer Andrew Moffitt—a must-read for new and old extempers.
Happy practicing! DX Nearly 5 years after schools closed, the nation gets a new report card Trump says tariffs on allies Canada, Mexico will be ‘worth the price’ Xi Jinping shows how he will return American fire Trump Faces First Lawsuit Moments After Taking Office—Targeting Elon Musk’s DOGE Why merging USAID into State would undermine […]
Happy practicing! DX How Trump could crack down on blue cities and states to enact mass deportations Trump Hits Colombia With Tariffs in Feud Over Military Deportation Flights A Growing Rift in the U.S.-Colombia Relationship 100,000 Ducks to Be Killed After Bird Flu Strikes Long Island Farm To Cull or Not to Cull: Managing H5N1 […]
Happy practicing! DX Was the whole TikTok drama a bait-and-switch to make Trump look good? TikTok Restoring Service for U.S. Users, After Trump Signals He Will Save It The Los Angeles fires and America’s overwhelmed water infrastructure Trump could impose tariffs on day one, with few checks on that power AI can be a useful […]
December was a very busy month for extempers across the country as they competed in a number of large, National Points Race Tournaments. As a result, the current standings have changed significantly since the last article. With the Longhorn Classic, GMA, Princeton, and MBA all happening in the month of December (or shortly thereafter) its […]
Happy practicing! DX How Mike Johnson (and Donald Trump) did it Jimmy Carter remembered A national, nonpartisan study of the Los Angeles fires could improve planning for future disasters How Wall Street is reacting to a second Trump term in 8 different sectors Here’s how the Pentagon could change under Hegseth IX Russia-Ukraine war: List […]
Between the twin capital cities of Sucre and La Paz, contemporary Bolivia faces foiled takeovers and rough power transitions. In this article, Shriya Surana breaks down the status quo and anticipates a renewed judicial response ahead of the contentious 2025 national election.
Happy practicing (and holidays)! DX Health insurance CEO shooting unleashes Internet vitriol aimed at industry Assessing Patel’s confirmation chances How Can We Prevent Gun Violence in American Schools? 12 Years Later, Two Different Tales of Grief for Sandy Hook Parents Why Democrats Lost More Seats in Vermont Than Any Other State IX Rhode Island hit […]
Happy practicing! DX President Biden pardons son Hunter No, FBI checks aren’t required for Trump’s nominees. Yes, it’s concerning. US health reform is tough to pass. Can the brazen killing of a CEO change that? How much oil can Trump pump? Malibu wildfire destroys homes, forces 6,300 people to evacuate IX Georgia protests spread as […]
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for extempers as several tournaments have happened over the last month, shaking up the standings of the National Points Race. With the NYC Invitational, Villiger, the Florida Blue Key, and Glenbrooks happening, it’s time for an update. New York City Invitational (Bronx) The NYC Invitational is classified as […]
Peru is no stranger to democratic instability. The nation has had 7 leaders in the past 6 years, and their current President doesn’t seem to be taking her role too seriously. In this article, Sahana Srikanth examines the legacy of the current Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, explaining the impacts of the world’s least popular president. […]
Happy practicing! DX This year’s FAFSA is officially open. Early review says it’s ‘a piece of cake’ The Cases Against Trump: A Guide State of the States: Governors and PK-12 education policy A New Vision for Social Housing in America NATO Will Likely Survive Trump, But at a Cost IX Climate Talks End With a […]
A month after the collapse of the Cuban power grid, the situation in Cuba has continued to deteriorate. In this article, Kavin Selva examines the decades of historical failures that led to a widespread meltdown.
Happy practicing! DX Elon Musk threatens to deepen the rift between Europe and America Why do hospitals keep running out of generic drugs? Expunging and Sealing Criminal Records New York’s Clean Slate Act is in effect. Here’s what it means for people with criminal records. Trump’s win has bitcoin soaring. The ‘normies’ want in. Who […]
Happy practicing! DX Harris hoped to ride abortion to another post-Dobbs Democratic victory. It didn’t work. Trump justice: Who will Donald Trump name as U.S. attorney general? Will Trump Rekindle a Bromance With Kim Jong-un? South Koreans Worry. Boeing workers agree to new contract offer, concluding strike. How Musk’s clout with Trump could enrich his […]
The European Union is an essential bloc promoting peace and well-being for European citizens. In this discussion of EU Expansion, Sahana Srikanth analyzes Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova’s complex cases for accession. What does it take to join Europe’s most exclusive club? For nine hopeful nations, the answer is yet to come. The EU is home […]
Happy practicing! DX Puerto Rico’s G.O.P. Chairman Demands Apology From Trump for Comic’s Remarks Pennsylvania’s top court reaffirms mail ballots with missing, improper dates can’t be counted Rumors, Lies and Disinformation: ‘A Lot of Crazy’ in US Election How cities can work with nature when droughts take their toll Accelerating change: Cities addressing water and […]
Happy practicing! DX Path for control of US House runs through heavily Democratic California How to stay safe from deadly E. coli outbreak linked to tainted onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Massachusetts, Famed for Tough School Standards, Rethinks Its Big Test Safeguarding Voters and Election Officials in the 2024 US Elections The role of glucagon‐like […]
Happy practicing! DX Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report Harris focuses on winning over disaffected Republicans as the election draws near Mass Deportation: Devastating Costs to America, Its Budget and Economy FTC announces rule to make it easier to cancel subscriptions The United States Hasn’t Ratified an Important Biodiversity Treaty IX Iran’s Terrible, […]
For the fifth consecutive year, The Extemper’s Bible is excited to host the National Points Race (NPR), a system designed to recognize the most consistent extemporaneous speaking competitors across a series of prestigious national tournaments. Building on the framework of the Extemp Central National Points Race, we will again use tiered rankings to assess the […]
Three months into Nicolás Maduro’s new term, the crisis in Venezuela has intensified. In this article, Shriya Surana breaks down key information and analyzes the efficacy of modern attempts to solve the regional crisis.
Happy practicing! DX Fighting hurricane misinformation requires aggressive pushback Silicon Valley had Harris’s back for decades. Will she return the favor? America’s Greatest Adversary? Kamala Harris Says Iran Is ‘An Obvious’ Answer This year’s ‘October surprise’ may be no surprise at all Generative AI, the American worker, and the future of work IX AI wins […]
Happy practicing! DX: Three Mile Island’s Nuclear Plant to Reopen, Help Power Microsoft’s AI Centers Vance was flailing. In the debate, he reasserted himself in the race. Opinion: I was wrong about Vance. VP debate shows Republicans can win because of him. Republicans eager to keep House control are open to Trump’s SALT reversal The […]
The speech and debate season has begun, and two major tournaments have already taken place: the University of Kentucky’s National Speech and Debate Season Opener, commonly referred to as the UK Opener, and the Yale Invitational. The UK tournament is classified as a tier 5 event, meaning that only finalists receive points. This year’s tournament […]
Happy practicing! (courtesy of our new question writers, Téa Shouldice and Feven Tesfaye) DX: IX: hypothetical: Eric Adams has gone from dyslexic, to arrested, to rejected, to elected, and now back to rejected as he is forced to resign by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Does Public Advocate Jumaane Williams have what it takes to […]
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypo: After initially avoiding indictment, President Biden is suddenly convicted over his handling of classified documents. How does this impact the 2024 election?
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: In a surprising move, NATO countries decide to deploy their troops to fight for Ukraine. Does this successfully end the war against Russia?
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: The worm in Robert F. Kennedy’s brain returns and takes him out, leaving only two contenders in the 2024 election. Who benefits more: Biden or Trump?
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: In a surprising move, President Biden (while a little bit high) fully legalizes marijuana across the US. What does this mean for his 2024 election chances?
Hopefully you have read Part 1 and Part 2 of the newest Substructure series, where we first examined the basics of the extemp substructure before diving into various types of substructure that apply to different questions. In this article, we’ll add to that by expanding upon the forms of advanced substructures.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: After taking a transformative magical potion, Joe Biden and Donald Trump each become younger by 30 years. How does this impact the 2024 election?
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: In a surprising decision, the Supreme Court abolishes legacy admissions by US colleges. What does this mean for the student body?
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: Vladimir Putin loses the Russian presidential election and is immediately forced out of office. What does this mean for the war in Ukraine?
Happy practicing!
Hopefully you have read Part 1 of the newest Substructure series, where we examined the basics of the extemp substructure, in addition to claims and warrants. In this article, we’ll add to that by articulating the various types of substructures that apply to different questions.
Isabel Wilkerson (an American journalist who has won the Pulitzer Prize) analyzes America’s underlying caste and the way it influences everyday life. In this article, Kavin Selva explores the connections presented in Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: After Nikki Haley’s DC primary win, she gains surprising momentum and wins the Republican nomination. Will she beat Joe Biden in 2024?
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: Accelerating its aggression, China forces Taiwan to cut off all semiconductor exports to the US. How should the US respond?
Written by two journalists based in Hong Kong— Shibani Mahtani, a Washington Post Correspondent, and Timothy McLaughlin, a contributor for the Atlantic, Among The Braves provides a narrative history of the events that culminated in Hong Kong’s 2019 mass protest movement. This review focuses on the most applicable information for speeches, like historical context and examples of broader Chinese strategies used to quash rebellion. I highly suggest reading this book for yourself. Not only is it incredibly fascinating and helpful to provide more context for speeches, but following the stories of activists as they creatively and selflessly fight for democracy is incredibly inspirational.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: Following the announcement of her new album, Taylor Swift decides to endorse Joe Biden for president. How will this impact the 2024 election?
Happy practicing!
Without a doubt, extemp substructure can seem overwhelming. In this article, the first of a substructure series, Kajal will explain the basics of substructure, as well as dive into the claims and warrants.
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical: After Ron DeSantis drops out, Nikki Haley decides that she wants to become a Sephora tween and does the same. How does this impact Trump’s 2024 chances?
Happy Practicing!
Join us on January 12th at 6:30 PM EST for the third SpeakWISE Session! Topic: Healthcare Policy This meeting on healthcare policy will feature Natasha Banga. Natasha competed for Coppell High School, and her notable accomplishments include 3rd at Berkley, 4th at the Cal Invitational, and 6th at NSDA Nationals. She is currently a sophomore […]
In recent times the fight for global power has become closer than ever. Yet, one of the biggest levers for global control – currency, hasn’t seen any change from the US hegemony established back in the 1940s. But now with nations across the world competing to expand their current currencies, it’s clear that we may be in the midst of a currency war.
Happy practicing! DX: IX: hypothetical – Nikki Haley casts a magic spell, gaining unanimous endorsement from all Republican Congresspeople. How will this affect the GOP primaries?
Join us on January 5th at 6 PM EST for the second SpeakWISE Session! Topic: International Terrorism Link: Click Here to join the meeting!
Happy practicing!
Here comes Part 2 and Part 3 of PodMas!
Before MBA, Akshita Krishnan and Eshaal Ubaid round up the results for the NPR.
We will continue to provide five international and five domestic questions weekly. However, moving forward we will also provide a weekly triad or hypothetical question! These question types appear in the outrounds of larger tournaments.
During this holiday season and the days before the New Year, unwrap another present with the Extemper’s Bible Podcast!
Lecture sessions during Speak WISE will be posted on our YouTube channel, The Extemper’s Bible!
Discover Paramount Extemp’s premier Extemp camp led by champions McKinley Paltizk, Peter Alisky, and Ananth Veluvali!
Many today wonder who will be the next president of the United States of America. In this article, James Grant discusses how to predict the upcoming presidential election, and who will ultimately claim or reclaim the White House.
Happy practicing (& holidays!)
Happy practicing!
The Extemper’s Bible is thrilled to introduce a new speech program aimed at helping you hone your speaking skills: Speak WISE: Workshops and Interactive Sessions in Extemp! How it will work: There will be speaking workshops and practices hosted 2-3 times a month, every month! What we will be doing: A bunch of practices, drills, […]
Regarded as the most prestigious tournament in the nation, the MBA invites only 16 of the top extempers for the round robin. Below are this year’s invitees for the 26th edition of the tournament that will take place from January 6th – 7th. Help us congratulate them all! Sruti Peddi – BASIS Scottsdale (AZ) Rohit […]
Daniel Immerwahr (an American Historian specializing in empire, development, and the history of ideas) analyzes how America has managed to remain a hidden empire throughout history. In this article Kavin Selva goes deeper into the “hidden” empire discussed in the book, How to Hide an Empire.
Happy practicing! USX: IX: hypothetical: OpenAI has a whole new CEO crisis, and the company fully disbands, destroying ChatGPT. What does this mean for AI development?
Happy practicing!
Following the firing – and rehiring – of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the future of AI remains a controversial topic, cultivating debate on its potential benefits and harms. In this topic analysis, Kajal Parmar discusses why such debate has arisen on AI companies and key sectors impacted by the growth of AI.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Matthew Levitt is one of America’s most prominent counterterrorism experts. In this book, Levitt explores the origins and practices of the Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas. On October 7th, 2023, this group breached Israel’s southern border attacking and killing 1400 people. In response, Israel is attempting to eliminate Hamas by destroying terrorist infrastructure and killing fighters in the Gaza strip. Hence, there has never been a more critical for extempers and global citizens alike to understand Hamas!
As we enter November, Akshita Krishnan reviews the major tournaments of the past month.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
IX Will war between Israel and Hamas harm Netanyahu politically? How should the European Union respond If Donald Tusk becomes Poland’s next leader? Are hopes of Venezuela holding a free and democratic election in 2024 real? Will Turkey leave the council of Europe? Are right-wing parties likely to gain power in New Zealand? USX Should […]
Happy Practicing!
Here’s a quick start-up guide to kickstart your preparation for the upcoming Extemp season. Learn how to catch up on current events, establish a practice routine, set meaningful goals, and make the most of your comeback!
Happy Practicing!
Steven Levitsky (a professor of government at Harvard University who focuses on comparative government) and Daniel Ziblatt (an American political scientist who specializes in the study of historical economies) remark that democracies have stopped going out with a bang, but rather a whimper. In this article, Akshita Krishnan explores these “whimpers” noted in the book, How Democracies Die.
Want to write for or work at The Extemper’s Bible? Here’s your chance to join!
Over the past weekend, the very first tournament for the National Points Race commenced. The University of Kentucky’s National Speech and Debate Season Opener was held virtually (for extemp) this year, which explains the variety in competition—the tournament drew in over 40 entries from across the world, and after 4 prelim rounds, a semifinals, and […]
The Extemper’s Bible will again host a Nationals Points Race for the fourth year in a row. This point system will determine the country’s most consistent competitor across a series of nationally-recognized events. Following the model of the Extemp Central National Points Race, we will be using different tiers to determine the comparative difficulty of […]
The Extemper’s Bible’s 2022-2023 National Points Race has come to a close! Below are the champions and high placers. Congratulations to Mckinley Paltzik of the Phoenix Country Day School (AZ), on being the second ever extemper to break 5 digits on the NPR, garnering an even 10,000 points. She is also the second ever extemper […]
Arjun Raman, King’s College London Jennifer Wen, Cherry Creek High School Introduction: What happens when you take a country already suffering from a lack of industrialization, famine, droughts, and various other economic crises and then introduce a government that bans women from working, restricts NGOs from operating, and faces sanctions by the states that once […]
Constraining Dictatorship is a masterfully executed book that weaves in empirical analysis made to explain how executive constraints on autocratic leaders emerge, and the effects of institutionalization on a regime.
Between the two of them, Ananth Veluvali and Peter Alisky have won NSDA Nationals and NCFL Nationals, and they’ve also placed in the top three of prestigious tournaments like the TOC and MBA. They were also the managing director and outreach director for the Extemper’s Bible, respectively. Now, they’re hoping to help the extemp community […]
I am thrilled to share our ambitious roadmap, aimed at bridging the gap in access to speech and debate resources, specifically for middle school students and underprivileged communities. But our initiative is not just about providing opportunities; it is about building a supportive speech community for everyone. Our Summer Camp, Mentorship and Training We are […]
Our team at the Extemper’s Bible has always believed that extemporaneous speaking is, and should be, a vehicle for growth in the students who participate in it. Unfortunately, we’ve all witnessed a great amount of inequity in our event holding our fellow speakers back. In the spirit of our convictions, we are thrilled to announce […]
Over the last couple of years, the most prominent minds in American political scientists have sought to make sense of record tensions through works like Lilliana Mason’s “Uncivil Agreement” and “Why We Are Polarized” by Ezra Klein(you can read our review of that HERE(https://extempers.org/2021/04/20/book-summaries-part-4/
)). But in 2018, Barbara F. Walter intensified the conversation by evaluating an even more extreme scenario — what if the United States was heading toward civil war? Looking granularly at case studies from more than 30 years, Walter evaluates her question while giving both domestic and international extempers a framework to understand the recipe for sectional conflict.
Power outages in Texas have been increasing in the past few years, and this is “one thing” Texas just can’t handle. In this Article, Annika Anand discusses Texas’s “snowpocalypse” and why the issues behind it still remain.
In her 2021 book The Authority Gap, former editor at The Times and political correspondent at The Economist Mary Ann Seighart provides insight into the authority gap, explaining why as a society we often undermine women while uplifting men.
As the fundamental vision of the United Nations, outlined in 1945, remains as essential to global order as ever, Matthew explores pressing challenges and opportunities articulated in Ban Ki-Moon’s 2021 book- Resolved: Uniting Nations in a Divided World.
In part 2 of her “Keeping Up” series, Siri Ural analyzes the rocky history, recent developments, and future prospects of Ethiopia following their recent peace deal.
To serve as a starting point for many IX’ers, Akshita Krishnan embarks on a “Country Roundup,” beginning with a topic analysis on China, specifically narrowing into the post Zero-Covid economy.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Equity is an issue that’s often brushed over in the speech and debate community. In this article, Manushri Malkapurapu dives into some of the barriers that prevent true equity in extemp, before also suggesting some solutions.
The violence women face in India is only getting worse by the day. In this article, Annika Anand explains the precarious situation, and unpacks the complicated history of violence against women in the country.
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From local to national circuits, humor has quickly become a staple in Extemporaneous Speaking. In this article, Siri Ural breaks down humorous content in speeches, with a few added sources for inspiration.
Jack Snyder, an American political scientist and the Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Relations at Columbia University, offers a bold perspective on systems based on human rights and demonstrates the stability of human rights depends on central power.
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Good luck at Emory Harvard and Berkeley this weekend! (As you can tell, I wrote this a while ago). As you start rounds, I want you to keep something in mind. Each day you compete, you get up early in the morning and put on a formal outfit to deliver speeches to an audience you’ve […]
Expanding NATO to include Finland and Sweden has been on the minds of global leaders for years, and the conversation has resumed with the Russo-Ukrainian War. In this Topic Analysis, Vikram Menon defines NATO and the idea of expansion in the context of modern global conflicts.
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The results of the prep survey are finally here!
The Syrian Civil War continues to ravage the Middle East. Although many look for ways to fix underlying issues, it looks to be increasingly difficult as the years go by. In this article, Pranav Kalakuntla adds some preliminary background to the complex conflict, with some added reading suggestions too!
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Summary: The “Pink Tide” is happening for the second time, but this time different issues are being looked at. In this article, Annika Anand gives a brief introduction on the “Pink Tide” and explains what the future holds for the movement.
The debt ceiling, a primary cause of debate for partisan politics, was reached over the past week. In this topic analysis, Akshita Krishnan talks about what this means for the economy and American politics.
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After a challenging tournament, an alumni and former captain penned this letter to his high school team. It addresses the most formidable challenge we face as speakers and as people: failure. Hello team! It’s 4:45 in the morning (quarter to five for my fellow Brits) here in London, but there are more important things to […]
In his 2014 memoir Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson documents his career dealing with the criminal justice system and its history of unjustly targeting and incarcerating Black Americans.
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Following chaotic Speaker of the House elections, the future of the Republican party remains highly uncertain. In this topic analysis, Siri Ural investigates causes and consequences of divisions in the right wing.
The Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin, a prestigious Tier 1 ranked tournament, recently concluded (1/7-1/8). Major changes were seen in the top 15 of our National Points Race, though McKinley Paltzik (Phoenix Country Day, AZ) maintained her position in first by winning the tournament and earning 1500 points. In second, Phoena Lin (Plano West, […]
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Happy practicing!
Published in 2017, Howard W. French provides excellent historical context to understand some of the motivations behind China’s modern-day behavior.
Happy practicing and happy holidays!
In the final part to a series on using Interp to build Extemp, Akshita Krishnan discusses body language.
In the third installment in a series of using Interp to build Extemp skills, Akshita Krishnan is back to talk about humor in terms of both of these events.
Akshita Krishnan is back to discuss the technicalities of using interp to improve your extemping. In the second part to this series, she talks specifically about the emotional aspect of a speech, and how interp helps to develop passion.
Letting your personality shine in a speech is often what sets you apart from other speakers in a round, allowing you to establish your abilities as a speaker to the judge. In this multi-part series, Akshita Krishnan discusses using Interp as a way to build your speaking style.
Happy practicing!
At this year’s Glenbrooks tournament, held from 11/18 – 11/21, we had many competitors gain big points at this tier 3 tournament! Championing this tournament is this year’s current leader in points McKinley Paltzik (Phoenix Country Day, AZ), earning herself 900 points, earning straight 1s in finals. In second, also from Arizona, is Sruti Peddi […]
The Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Round Robin is a 16 person, invite-only tournament, widely recognized as the most prestigious round robin in the nation. The tournament will take place in Nashville, Tennessee from January 7th to January 8th. Check out the invite list below and congratulations to all of those invited!
We at The Extemper’s Bible have created a quick survey that we want you to fill out about the way you prep your speeches: tinyurl.com/yckjmd5h.
As we enter an intense competitive period of the national circuit season, Siri Ural discusses the importance of utilizing context to create pathos arguments.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
The Extemper’s Bible will again host a Nationals Points Race for the third year in a row. This point system will determine the country’s most consistent competitor across a series of nationally-recognized events. Following the model of the Extemp Central National Points Race, we will be using different tiers to determine the comparative difficulty of […]
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Guess what? We have a book now. It’s name? Well, the title of our website. By Krish Shah with Govind Pattathil and Vikram Sundaram as contributors.
Want to write for or work at The Extemper’s Bible? Here’s your chance to join!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Read here for updates on how Weekly Questions will be developed. Happy practicing!
Ananth Veluvali and Peter Alisky, two extempers who help run the Extemper’s Bible, are offering a high-quality, low-cost extemp camp in August virtually. Extempers of all experience levels are invited to learn from national champions in activities ranging from content lectures, delivery drills, substructure, strategy, practice speeches, and much more. Find more information at paramountprep.org. […]
As the 2021-22 season draws to a close, the Extemper’s Bible would like to solicit feedback on its Weekly Questions scheme to ensure that it continues being a valuable resource to all extempers. If you have a free moment, please fill out the form below. You can send any additional thoughts you may have to […]
The 2021-22 season has come to a close, and the Extemper’s Bible is ready to crown a champion! Congratulations to Daniel Kind of the Lake Highland Preparatory School, Florida for being the nation’s top Points Race performer this year with 10,750 points! Kind is the first-ever NPR competitor to break the five digit mark, and […]
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Apologies for the delay. Happy practicing!
Are you a podhead? Look no further! In this article, Ananth Veluvali asks some extempers from around the circuit for their favorite news-related podcasts. Apologies in advance for the gratuitous use of emojis 🙂
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Following calls for Justice Stephen Breyer to step down, Biden has successfully nominated his first Supreme Court justice: Ketanji Brown Jackson.
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For once, it isn’t Sri Lanka’s cricket team that’s causing the country distress. So what exactly is going on?
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Kevin asks some of his favorite extempers what they’ve done to practice for TOCs. Definitely not a last minute Spring Break grind session…
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A near-total ban on abortion is expected to go into law in Oklahoma, setting precedents and alarming pro-choice advocates.
Pakistan has entered a state of political turmoil and likely democratic backsliding. Read this wiki article to learn why!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Hand gestures are an important, albeit underutilized tool in extemp. In this article, Ananth Veluvali discusses how you can work on creating effective hand gestures.
Happy practicing!
Welcome to the fourth update for the 2021-22 National Points Race! In this edition, we discuss changes made to the Points Race in regards to replacing the Stanford Invitational, and cover the results from Sunvitational, the Cavalier Invitational, the James Logan MLK Invitational, Barkley Forum, Harvard, Palm Classic, and the Cal Invitational. January and February […]
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In looking at perhaps the most important domestic speech for any USX-er out there, Anirudh Prasanna recaps the most memorable moments in the third installment of our Wiki series. President Biden delivered his first State of the Union speech on Tuesday, March 1st, in which he found the nation to be “stronger today than we […]
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Russia and Ukraine have definitely made the news cycle in the last month. So, what’s going on? And why is everyone angry?
On our first installation of The Extemper’s Wiki (a series where we break down important news in 175 words or less), Ananth Veluvali dives into Canada’s Freedom Convoys.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
The Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Round Robin is a 16 person, invite-only tournament, widely recognized as the most prestigious round robin in the nation. The tournament will take place in Nashville, Tennessee from March 5th to March 6th. Check out the invite list below and congratulations to all of those invited!
In this article, Mukta Dharmapurikar discusses how extempers can best utilize Impromptu Speaking to strengthen their speeches, all with the help of some memes!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy New Year! In this article, founder Ananth Veluvali reflects on the success of the Extemper’s Bible in 2021, while also highlighting new leadership opportunities that have opened up. This is a MUST READ!
Happy holidays! We will not be publishing questions over the next two weeks because of the winter holidays. Thanks for reading and see you in 2022! USX How can America address its youth mental health crisis? Should Congressional members be banned from trading individual stocks? Was relying on sunset clauses a good way of cutting […]
Welcome to the third monthly update for the 2021-22 National Points Race! In this edition, we discuss changes made to the tiering of the GMU Patriot Games, and cover the results from GMU as well as Villiger, Glenbrooks, UT Longhorn, and Princeton. November and December are typically two of the busiest months when it comes […]
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We’ve dropped another podcast episode! Read more to find out what it’s about and where you can listen to it!
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Over the past year, inflation in the United States has significantly increased. What is it, why does it matter, and what can governments do to address it? Those are just a few of the questions Ananth Veluvali explores in this briefing.
After reflecting this summer, we’ve got some exciting updates about our podcast! Read more to find out.
Happy practicing!
In this article, Ananth Veluvali provides a strategy for practicing before big tournaments.
While October only had two tier four tournaments that were in the National Points Race, we saw two familiar faces from last month at the top of both tournaments. The New York City Invitational (Bronx) was held from October 15th through the 17th. In first place was Yale champion McKinley Paltzik of Phoenix Country Day […]
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In this article, Ananth Veluvali explores how extempers can read the news efficiently and comprehensively.
Few things spice up a speech like a timely quote. In this article, we’ll go over some quotes that can be used in any extemporaneous speech and go over how to use them.
In this article, Ananth Veluvali breaks down how you, as a captain, can run practices for your extemp team. This will be Part 2 in a longer series about starting, managing, and leading your team.
USX What do recent referendums on police reforms signal about the future of the Defund the Police movement? What lessons do the Democratic Party need to take away from the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections? Is paid family leave a winning issue for Democrats? Is admitting more immigrants the best response for America’s labor […]
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
USX Will Congressional Democrats be able to pass price reductions on prescription medication? Have we seen the last wave of COVID cases in the U.S.? Would breaking up Facebook be a good policy decision? How long will America’s widespread supply shortages last? Is the “Defund the Police” movement dead for good? IX How can the […]
Welcome to the first monthly update for the 2021-22 National Points Race! In this edition, we cover the results from the UK Season Opener, the Yale Invitational, and the Duke Invitational. The new extemp season has started, and some familiar faces are already showing their growth from last year at the first tournaments of the […]
We apologize for the delay in posting questions. Happy practicing!
Interested in helping us? Keep reading for more!
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Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
After a successful launch last year, the Extemper’s Bible will once again host a Nationals Points Race in order to determine the country’s most consistent competitor across a series of nationally-recognized events. Following the model of the Extemp Central National Points Race, we will be using different tiers to determine the comparative difficulty of tournaments […]
Happy practicing!
This article explains how a society’s demographic structure affects its economic and political systems and how that is relevant to extempers.
Are you caught up with the news? Find out with this weeks ten question quiz!
USX Is a carbon border adjustment tax a good policy idea? What steps can the Biden administration take to prevent mass housing insecurity after the Supreme Court’s ruling against the eviction moratorium? Who will win the Democrats’ internal struggle between progressives and moderates? Should the Biden administration have authorized booster shots? Should Jerome Powell be […]
In this article, Ananth Veluvali breaks down how you, as a captain, can recruit people for your extemp team. This will be Part 1 in a longer series about starting, managing, and leading your team.
After a well-enjoyed summer break, the Extemper’s Bible is back! Keep reading to find out more about exciting updates to the site and what you can expect from us.
Normal, current affairs-focused questions will be back next week. We hope you enjoyed your summer! Movies 1. What lessons can be learned from movies’ simultaneous box office and streaming service launches in 2021? 2. Has Marvel Studios successfully refound themselves after Avengers: Endgame? 3. Will the Oscars truly able to shed their non-diverse reputation? 4. […]
We apologize for the slight delay! Music Has Lil Was X successfully reshaped the conversation around queerness in the hip-hop industry? Should Jack Antonoff’s rise to producer stardom be celebrated or looked down upon? Should more artists move away from record labels?Video Games How will the arrival of the Steam Deck affect the gaming industry? […]
Are you caught up with the news? Find out with this weeks ten question quiz!
Is Caeleb Dressel the new Michael Phelps? What lessons can the world of gymnastics learn from Simone Biles’ event withdrawals at the Tokyo Olympics? How should U.S. Olympics drug policy be changed after the Tokyo Olympics, if at all? What sport, if any, should the Olympics add for the 2024 Games? Will USA Basketball – […]
The Extemper’s Bible is beginning a virtual book club for extempers.
Are you caught up with the news? Find out with our weekly quiz! 10 questions, once per week
Football What can NFL front offices learn from the resolution of Aaron Rodgers’ feud with the Packers? Which rookie quarterback will exceed expectations the most? Does vaccine skepticism among NFL players pose a serious problem to the league? Are the Buffalo Bills ready to make the “next step” in the 2021-22 season? Should the NFL […]
Read this article for some exciting updates from the Extemper’s Bible! Plus, a free presentation on introductions linked below!
Are you caught up with the news? Find out with our weekly quiz! 10 questions, once per week — it’s back!
Basketball Who are the favorites to win the 2021-2022 NBA Championship? Is it time for the Portland Trail Blazers to blow it up? What’s the best move for the Philadelphia 76ers this off-season? Would the NBA benefit from adding a mid-season tournament? Will more young prospects turn to the G-League instead of attending college?Baseball Are […]
We hope everyone is having a great summer! For the next five weeks, the Extemper’s Bible will be releasing modified versions of our usual weekly questions, with eight questions each week focusing on elements of modern culture. We’re writing the questions about your hobbies, interests, and guilty pleasures that you wish you’d gotten in tournament, […]
Read this article for some exciting updates from the Extemper’s Bible! Plus, a free economics presentation linked below!
Economics is one of the more difficult subjects that extemp covers. In this article, Ananth Veluvali breaks down interest rates and modern monetary theory.
The speech and debate season is coming up in less than two months, which means it’s time for recruitment! Hopefully, this ‘sales pitch’ for joining the speech and debate team helps! This article was written by Ananth Veluvali.
While summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and the sweet feeling of freedom that comes with having no homework, it’s also a great time to improve your extemp skills. In this article, Ananth Veluvali delves into some tips and tricks for becoming a better extemper over the summer.
The 2020-2021 season has come to a close, which means the Extemper’s Bible can crown its first-ever National Points Race champion! Congratulations to Mukta Dharmapurikar of Durham Academy, North Carolina, for winning the NPR with 8775 points! She began the year strong with a win at the UK Season Opener and had a consistent string […]
Welcome to the final monthly update on the standings and tournament results for the 2020-21 National Points Race! This edition features the results from the end-of-season “national” tournaments: the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions, the Northwestern University Extemp Tournament of Champions, the National Catholic Forensics League Grand Nationals, and the National Speech and Debate Association […]
Happy practicing! This is our final set of questions for the 2020-2021 season.
Happy practicing! This will be the penultimate weekly questions release for the 2020-21 season.
Work closely with three-time national finalist Christopher Maximos at 6 PM CST tomorrow as he delves into what makes an effective introduction. Interested in signing up for our full camp and working one-on-one with Maximos? Check out extempinstitute.com! The link to the meeting can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81140285031. The Meeting ID is 811 4028 5031 […]
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing!
Citing a book is one of the most impressive things you can do in an extemp speech. Beyond presenting an opportunity to cite distinguished scholars, books typically hold complex political, social, and economic theories that add sophistication to your speeches. Below is a list of a few books you may want to cite in your next speech.
Happy practicing!
Sometimes, you want to get your extemp information without having to pore over news articles and think tank reports. That’s where podcasts enter into play: you can stay up-to-date with the latest events and relax a bit! Keep reading to discover some enjoyable podcast sources. This article was written by Ananth Veluvali.
Happy practicing!
Happy practicing and remember to check out our camp at https://www.extempinstitute.com/!
The following is a reposted article from October of 2020. With big tournaments like the ETOC, NCFLs, and NSDA Nationals coming up, we hope it strikes a chord with you all.
Happy practicing and remember to check out our camp!
After months of careful planning and coordination with nationally-renowned extempers and extemp coaches, we have finally got our camp up-and-running! Read more to find out some details.
Citing a book is one of the most impressive things you can do in an extemp speech. Beyond presenting an opportunity to cite distinguished scholars, books typically hold complex political, social, and economic theories that add sophistication to your speeches. Below is a list of a few books you may want to cite in your next speech.
Happy practicing!
In important rounds, you may have to cross-examine your opponents. In this article, we’ll delve into what cross-examination is and how to effectively do it. This article was written by Ananth Veluvali.
With important tournaments like the TOC and Nationals coming up and tournaments likely online through December of 2021 (if not longer), we thought we’d revisit one of our favorite articles. Below is a list of different tips & tricks for navigating online tournaments that will help maximize your speaking appeal.
Happy practicing!
In this article, we go over a few handy charts and graphs to help any extemper
We’ve decided to extend the deadline to register for our tournament until 7 PM CST today! You can sign up using this tabroom link: https://www.tabroom.com/index/tourn/index.mhtml?tourn_id=20022.
Effectively outlining your introductions and points can be a daunting task. Fortunately, with a little practice, you can nail your outlines every single time! This article was written by Ananth Veluvali.
Happy practicing!
Looking for a list of drills to practice? Look no further!
Written by Dev Ahuja and Vikram Sundaram.
Adam Hamdan, runner-up in USX at Nats 2020, sits down for an interview about his extemp career and greatest tips.
Happy practicing!
In May of 2020, I interviewed Brian Zheng, the runner-up at the 2019 ETOC and the NCFL National Champion. The shortened version of that interview can be found below. The full version can be found on our podcast, the Extemper’s Bible!
Citing a book is one of the most impressive things you can do in an extemp speech. Beyond presenting an opportunity to cite distinguished scholars, books typically hold complex political, social, and economic theories that add sophistication to your speeches. Below is a list of a few books you may want to cite in your […]
With the extemp season winding down, we wanted to provide extempers with a high-quality tournament to help prepare for state tournaments, the TOC and ETOC, NCFLs, and NSDA Nationals. Our judges are nationally- acclaimed extempers, and the tournament is open to anyone in high school and middle school. The link to register is below — […]
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
Sometimes, it’s hard to come up with three distinct points to answer a question. In this article, Ananth Veluvali lays out a potential solution: utilizing layered analysis.
Many extempers will experience burnout at some point in there careers. In this article, Anne Smith give some tips for avoiding and solving burnout.
One of the most influential overlooked regions in US and international policy, Central America can seem hard to understand. That is why in this article we guide you through the main issues that the region is facing.
February marked a month of national circuit competition prior to months with the final tournaments in the national points race. The month started out with the Stanford Invitational on the sixth, with two tournaments the very next week. The twelfth marked the start of the Harvard National Forensics Tournament, traditionally the largest tournament in the […]
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After months of careful deliberation and thoughtful editing, nationally-acclaimed extempers Sam Padmanabhan, Kevin Bi, and Alex Yang wrote a handbook for extempers of all skill that we’ve published in this article. Enjoy!
Written by Steve Asthana, James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi.
In this article, Ananth Veluvali lays out a four-step practice routine that novice and varsity speakers alike can follow during Spring Break to become a better speaker.
In this article, Katelyn Cai and Peter Alisky run through everything you need to know about the introduction to an extemp speech.
Here are our weekly questions for March 1st – March 7th. Happy practicing!
February has been an exciting month for the Extemper’s Bible. As you may have noticed, we made some big changes to our website. We’ve also been planning some awesome things under the hood. Read below to find out more!
Extemp questions commonly deal with international issues that are greatly influenced by the power of the countries involved. This article will explore the types of power countries can posses and their effects on the issues extemper’s are commonly asked about.
Our next seminar will be on the topic of Europe and AGDs! Join us on March 4th for an insightful seminar to help you develop your skills. Sign up using the link in this article!
The statement of significance is an important, albeit underutilized tool in extemporaneous speaking. In a single 10 second statement, your judge will either feel connected or distanced from your topic. Thus, nailing this part of the speech is critical to being a successful speaker. In this article, learn some tips about how to utilize statements […]
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
In April of 2020, I was fortunate enough to interview René Otero, the 2019 IX NSDA National Champion. The paraphrased version of that interview can be found below. The full version can be found on our podcast, the Extemper’s Bible! This article was written by Ananth Veluvali.
In this article, we take a look at how good gestures, posture, eye contact, and facial expressions can really improve a performance in Extemp while discussing ways to improve them.
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
As Vladimir Putin once again arrests one of his main opponents and silences his followers, let’s take a look at the complex political situation in Russia and what’s really going on at the Kremlin.
Citing a book (or books!) is one of the most impressive things you can do in an extemp speech. Beyond presenting an opportunity to cite distinguished scholars, books typically hold complex political, social, and economic theories that add sophistication to your speeches. Below is a list of a few books (with their summaries) you may […]
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
Welcome to the fifth monthly updates on the standings and tournament results for the 2020-21 National Points Race! This edition features the results from the Montgomery Bell Academy Southern Bell Forum, the Sunvitational, the James Logan MLK Invitational, the Cavalier Invitational, the Cavalier Challenge, the Barkley Forum, and the Marshall Speech Spectacular.
The following is the ultimate guide for novices on how to succeed in extemporaneous speaking. Covered are the following sections: what is extemp, what goes into a speech, the art of substructure, confidence in this activity, free extemp resources, and concluding commentary. Since this is an ongoing project, we will be continually updating this resource. […]
As Israeli encroachments on the West Bank persevere despite international pressure, join us in exploring the complex narratives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, impending Israeli elections, and foreign influence in the region.
Written by Steve Asthana and James (Jimmy) Gao.
In extemp, effective filing is of paramount importance. In this article, Anne Smith highlights five tips to become better at filing.
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
In this article, written by Anne Smith, we’ll take a deep dive into the history, controversy, geopolitical significance, costs, and benefits of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Enjoy!
In this article, Mukta Dharmapurikar lays out the benefits of diversifying your Speech and Debate experiences in order to better your own extemp and our community.
Last week, we published the first half of the questions from the Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Extemp Round Robin. Below is the second half. Enjoy!
The Extemper’s Bible has been the go-to source for extempers across the nation to find resources on demand. We’ve brought new weekly questions, strategy pieces, interviews, and more. Now, we’re bringing something new to the table: curated seminars for ALL extempers.
The question writer for the Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Round Robin, Jason Warren, was kind enough to let us publish the questions from the tournament. We will publish the first half this week and the second half next week. Check them out below, and enjoy the tough practice!
Few things spice up a speech like a timely quote. In this article, we’ll go over some quotes that can be used in any extemporaneous speech and go over how to use them.
Figuring out an effective practice schedule for extemp can be a challenging task. In this article, Katelyn Cai takes a deep dive into a few practice strategies that will make you a more effective extemper.
Welcome to the fourth of nine monthly updates on the standings and tournament results for the 2020-21 National Points Race! This edition features the results from UT, GMU, and Princeton.
Happy practicing!
Check out our year in review, which highlights our proudest accomplishments from this year! Then, keep reading this article, so you know all of the exciting updates we’re planning for 2021!
Happy early new year! Stay tuned for some exciting updates from the Extemper’s Bible in the new few days. In the meantime, happy practicing! We tried something new this time, adding one additional novice question for both USX and IX.
In this article, Will Ford divulges some tips on how to maximize your extemp ethos, even if you have a speech you don’t feel fully confident about.
Happy Holidays everyone! We’ll still be posting articles over the holiday season, so keep your eyes peeled for future posts, and happy practicing!
With Joe Biden set to be the next president of the United States, questions over how he will conduct his foreign policy have emerged, especially given the current problems the global community faces. Written by Arjun Raman, the following article examines Biden’s potential foreign policy agenda and defines some key vocabulary along the way.
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
The Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Round Robin is a 16 person, invite-only tournament, widely recognized as the most prestigious in the nation. The tournament will take place virtually from January 2nd to January 4th. Extempers will compete in 10 rounds, with 4 rooms in total and 4 competitors to a room. Check out the invite […]
Written by Ananth Veluvali. Happy practicing!
Welcome to the third of nine monthly updates on the standings and tournament results for the 2020-21 National Points Race! This edition features the results from the Glenbrooks and Villiger, as well explaining our rationale for changing our valuation of the George Mason University Patriot Games for 2020.
The following article is part of a new series by the Extemper’s Bible where we’ll take a deep dive into relevant domestic and global subjects. For this post, we’ll examine political polarization in the US, including its causes, implications, and potential solutions. As a nation where political agreement is needed for unified action, the US […]
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
Happy belated Thanksgiving! We’re looking to grow our website, but that will mean getting more help! If one or more of the following positions interests you or if you have any questions, please let us know by contacting ananth@extempers.org or outreach@extempers.org!
Citing a book (or books!) is one of the most impressive things you can do in an extemp speech. Beyond presenting an opportunity to cite distinguished scholars, books typically hold complex political, social, and economic theories that add sophistication to your speeches. Below is a list of a few books (with their summaries) you may […]
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
Introduction The attention-getting device, better known by its moniker the AGD, is one of the most important parts of an extemp speech. Despite this, most extempers recycle the same 2-3 AGDs for an entire tournament, often resulting in strenuous ties between their opener and the topic. Fortunately, it requires little effort to produce stronger attention […]
Written by Ananth Veluvali.
The following is a new series by the Extemper’s Bible where we’ll take a deep dive into relevant domestic and global subjects. For our very first article, we’ll examine the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. As the second largest country in Africa, if this conflict goes unresolved, the violence in Ethiopia risks […]
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi.
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to interview Gary Arndt, a nationally-acclaimed former extemp coach. While coaching several state champions and national finalists is certainly an accomplishment in itself, it’s Gary’s other exploits that make him a truly interesting interviewee. From traveling to over 130 countries to running his own successful podcast (Everything Everywhere), […]
Need some sources to file? Look no further!
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take this short, 10-question quiz to find out! Answers, as well as corresponding news articles, are provided at the very bottom of this article. The questions may take a few seconds to load!
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take this short, 10-question quiz to find out! Answers, as well as corresponding news articles, are provided at the very bottom of this article. The questions may take a few seconds to load!
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
With most tournaments through February already online, it’s clear this extemp season will be different than the past. Accordingly, your speaking strategy might have to change. Below are a list of different tips & tricks for navigating online tournaments to maximize your speaking appeal.
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take this short, 10-question quiz to find out! Answers, as well as corresponding news articles, are provided at the very bottom of this article. The questions may take a few seconds to load!
Written by Steve Asthana and Shreya Joshi. Happy practicing!
Welcome to the first of nine monthly updates on the standings and tournament results for the 2020-21 National Points Race! This edition features the results from the UK Season Opener, the Duke Invitational, and the Yale Invitational.
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take this short, 10-question quiz to find out! Answers are provided at the very bottom of this article.
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao for the Duke Invitational. Features questions from Round 4, Semifinals, and Finals. Happy practicing!
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao for the 2020 Duke Invitational. Features questions from Rounds 1, 2, and 3.
Walking into my first Varsity final round sophomore year, I had no idea what to expect. After a year and a half of watching finals with older, more “distinguished” speakers, I was still shocked to see myself in the midst of such talented individuals. Although I was extremely nervous, I was still committed to trying […]
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take this short, 10-question quiz to find out! Answers are provided at the very bottom of this article.
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Steve Asthana. Happy practicing!
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take the quiz to find out! Answers are provided at the very bottom of this article.
Written by James (Jimmy) Gao and Steve Asthana. Happy practicing!
Mo Marks competed for Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated in 2020. Throughout her extemper career, Mo has finaled at Glenbrooks, Blue Key, Yale, and Harvard. She’s also won Sunvite, her state tournament, the prestigious MBA Round Robin, and nationals in impromptu. Marks is currently a rising freshman at Simpson College, and […]
In this article, Peter Alisky gives viewers some tips for how to perform in high-stakes rounds. He divulges some of his own secrets when it comes to settling nerves and gives easy-to-read advice on how to conquer the crowd.
Do you want to put your news reading skills to the test? Find out how much you know about this past week’s news by taking the weekly quiz below! Happy practicing and good luck!
Written by Shreya Joshi and Steve Asthana. Happy practicing!
In this article, Cailin Friary takes a deep dive into the realities of speech and debate in small communities without strong debate infrastructures and ways to get involved and improve whether you are a small or big school competitor.
Bradley Wascher is a professional elections analyst and an alum of extemp speaking, where he competed for 6 years. He was gracious enough to lend his time & write up an article for the Extemper’s Bible, where he combines his unique political insights and years of experience in extemp to provide stellar electoral analysis.
Written by Shreya Joshi and James (Jimmy) Gao. Happy practicing!
Questions calling for extempers to prescribe a feasible solution to one of the world’s many problems are unavoidable for the average speaker. While the difficulty of these questions vary, Daniel Kind helps outline some easy-to-follow guidelines for how you can best approach and answer these questions.
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take the quiz to find out! Answers are provided at the very bottom of this article. Apologies if the questions may take a few seconds to load!
Written by Jimmy Gao and Steve Asthana. Happy practicing!
This article explains the format and methodology behind the 2020-21 National Points Race, hosted by the Extemper’s Bible.
Hopefully, by now you’ve read the first part and second part of this substructure series. If not, I recommend that you do that before going any further into this article, where we’ll take a deeper dive into the last three specific & advanced substructure formats you can use in extemp.
How much have you kept up with this past week’s news? Take the quiz to find out! Answers are provided at the very bottom of this article.
Do you want to work on your speaking skills? Below we’ve attached our weekly USX or IX questions for the week of August 10th – August 16th. Good luck and happy practicing!
Hopefully by now, you’ve read Part 1 of this series (you should in order to better understand the ABC model that is discussed) and substructure is starting to make some sense. If not, don’t worry — in this next part, we’ll take a look at some specific substructure formats, which should make things clearer.
The basis of substructure & some examples.
Hi! Below is the link to the lectures we’ve uploaded to our YouTube channel You can also just search for the channel called “The Extemper’s Bible.” Under our camp resources section, we’ve attached the complementary presentations to accompany these lectures!
Goodbye, Extemp: some parting critiques of the event I love James Gao is a recent graduate of Ridge High School who competed on the circuit for four years. Here, he offers his thoughts on ways that extempers can improve their event insofar as it relates to advocacy and societal reform.
Jimmy Gao competed for Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and graduated in 2020. Alongside winning several national circuit tournaments like Yale & UPenn this past year, Jimmy is also the 2020 NSDA USX national champion & President’s Bowl winner. Gao is currently a rising freshman at Duke University, and graciously agreed to […]
Courtesy of Jimmy Gao. Happy practicing!
Just a thank you to everyone who has made this website possible.
Happy practicing!