Dallastown Wildcat Invitational
2024 — Dallastown, PA/US
Extemporaneous Speaking
Event Description:
• Time limit: Maximum - 7 minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.
Judging Criteria
• Topicality: The speaker should state and answer the question accurately. The speech should be organized so that all content contained therein is relevant to the question’s answer. The speaker should be held accountable to the strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic selected and should be penalized for any obvious shifting to a different topic. The speaker is permitted a personal opinion or interpretation of the subject.
• Structure: The introduction should gain attention, lead to the question, provide an answer to the question and/or justify the importance of the topic, and give some direction as to how the speech will unfold or develop. The body should be organized to best answer the question. Transitional words/devices should help to move the speech from point to point. The conclusion should restate the question and answer, succinctly summarize the speech’s main points highlighting how they led to the question’s answer, and end interestingly.
• Content: This presentation should be an original speech developing the issue(s) raised by the selected topic. It should be a synthesis of current facts and opinions on the subject, not a mere listing of current data. The information presented in the speech should be accurate and timely. Sources consulted by the speaker during the preparation time should be cited effectively in the speech. These sources should be varied and credible. The speaker should make clear and reasonable use of the research and provide
• Language: The word choice should be clear and precise, interesting and easy to understand. If employed, creative devices, analogies, metaphors, alliteration, word plays, and the like should be effectively used and advance the purpose of the speech.
• Vocal Delivery: The speaker should be audible, articulate, and fluent. The speaker should make use of contrast, making use of the elements of vocal variety: pitch, volume, rate, pausing, phrasing, stress, and tone. The speaker should stress words to enhance meaning. The speaker should be conversational and concerned, passionate and pleasing. The speaker should be in control of the words and the emotions. The speaker should sound confident throughout the presentation.
• Physical Delivery: The speaker should vary facial expression to accentuate the natural flow of thoughts and feelings. The speaker should make eye contact with the audience. The speaker’s stance should be erect and controlled, without distracting movements. Movement, if used, should be motivated by transitions in thought or mood. Gestures should be visible, effectively used for emphasis, and varied.
• Information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic.
• Material should be organized according to some logical plan to produce a complete speech within the time allowed.