Getting to Know The UIL

I. Things to Know for All UIL Contests

Constitution and Contest Rules - available online
Academic Coordinator's Manual - available online
TEA-UIL Side by Side - question and answer format concerning state laws, eligibility; available online
Importance of tournament procedures, roll call, checking ballots, contest verification procedures
Speech Handbooks for all seven contests (available free of charge from the UIL website)

Topic Release - topic announced in January and debated the following fall; posted on website, in Leaguer
CX Fall District Planning Meet - held prior to October 1; contact principal to know the date and permission to attend
District selects CX District Director - register name and contact info online by November 1
Fall Planning Meeting Agenda - all agenda items should be discussed; posted online at www.uiltexas.org/speech/debate
District CX Meet - District Director sets up entry form in the Spring Meet Entry System by December 1; link to system found on speech web page
Dates for CX Debate District contest - see UIL calendar for window
Tournament Format - District: prelim rounds, advancing to elimination rounds or round robin
District Entry Form - submit online at least 10 calendar days before meet
Winner's Info - details about State tournament posted online for students
Coach's Packet - large red and white envelope you are responsible for picking up from District Contest Director before leaving the district tournament
Judging requirement if qualified for State Meet - deadline posted in Constitution & Contest Rules
Judging form - completed online; there is a late fee if you miss the deadline
UIL's A Guide to Cross-Examination Debate Handbook - Available free of charge from UIL website
Rules particular to UIL Debate - certification of some 1st and 2nd place teams; procedures for substitutions at State; prompting, open CX, scouting prohibited. use of computers

Topic Release - mid-August/mid-December; posted online
Tournament Format - District: prelim rounds, advancing to elimination rounds or round robin
UIL's LD Debate Guide - available free of charge from UIL website
Winner's Info - details about State tournament posted online for students
Coach's Packet - large red and white envelope you are responsible for picking up from Regional Contest Director before leaving Regional contest site
Judging requirement if qualified for State Meet - deadline posted in Constitution & Contest Rules

Contestants prepare two performances, one from Category A and one from Category B
Categories/Category restrictions - see UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook
Documentation requirements - students don't compete without approval of documentation
Prose and Poetry Handbook - responsible for reading, critical for documentation explanation; download for no charge from UIL website
State Office assistance - contact with questions or for clarification
Research opportunities - links at www.uiltexas.org/speech/oral-interp/resource-web-sites-for-interpretative-speech
Contest Procedures - sectioning, drawing for the category, time limit
Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges - TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech webpage

Rules in the Prep Room - what materials are allowed and not allowed
Informative/Persuasive Handbook - download for free from the UIL website
Sources for files - website links and news sources to explore at www.uiltexas.org/speech/extemp/extemp-web-resources
Contest Procedures - no talking in prep room, draw at 10 minute intervals, no outlines in prep, one card no larger than 3" x 5" is permissible, limitation on what can be taken out of prep room
Speech IE Ranking System for Multiple Judges - TalkTab software downloadable free from UIL speech webpage

Contest held during fall and winter
Intent to Participate form must be submitted online by September 10, 2018
Regions organized by Educational Service Cetner rather than by traditional UIL Districts or Regions.
See website for your Regional Clerk's contact info
Access contest rules, structure and procedures on the UIL website and review the UIL Congress Handbook, availalbe for free download from the UIL website
Contestants can submit legislation to ESC Regional clerk for consideration by September 10, 2018.