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Preparing Cards for Stoa Apologeticsby Luis Garcia

An apologetics speech is written on a cardstock piece of paper that measures four by six inches. This document explains how you will prepare these cards and utilize the Monument Member Apologetics Template to make the most thorough of cards. Once you get into the habit that this document teaches, you’ll be well on your way to preparing for your first tournament.

What is a “card”?

I use the terms “card” and “outline” to talk about the process of writing a speech. To start, you’ll be creating a document that fits a card size and writing notes for a speech onto these cards. To give yourself enough room to speak for six minutes extempore, a simple, organized outline about four cards long is efficient.

An outline usually looks like that of an essay, like this:

1. Introduction (thesis, roadmap)

2. Body (two or three points)

3. Conclusion (reminder of the thesis)

With your card, you will include Bible verses and quotations that can easily be read from the card during your speech. Most of your apologetics preparation in your homeschool will be writing and practicing your apologetics cards.

Note that all competitors are required to create their own cards. Unlike other limited prep events (like extemp) where students share boxes of articles, apologetics boxes are designed to be personally owned and developed. In fact, it is a disciplinary action if an apologist uses another’s card during a round.

For this reason, the following example is from an old apologetics question from my box from years ago, unable to be used by you in this year’s competitions. No matter, though. The format is what is important here. These cards model a few organization strategies that I use. They are defined here to help you read these cards, but not because you have to use them. Make notes for your own speeches in such a way that makes your speaking clear.

Key: The + sign means quotations and verse, the asterisk (*) represents words I wrote myself, to read over during preparation time and to rephrase extemporaneously during my speech.

Word Template

Now comes a very handy Microsoft Word document template that allows you to use a keyboard and computer to type out your research and preparation. This was the preferred method of preparation from the authors, especially because we were already on our computer researching quotes, articles, and digital resources.

To download your Word Document, follow this link: https://monumentmembers.com/monument-apologetics-card-template. This will download your document to start filling out your cards with a keyboard rather than handwriting your cards.

Copyright © Monument Publishing. This release was published as part of Season 19 (2018-2019) school year for academic apologetics speakers. See the member landing page for official release date and any notifications. This is proprietary intellectual content and may not be used without proper ownership.