Rogue Valley Invitational at Crater High School
2024 — Central Point, OR/US
Extemporaneous
Event Description:
13.8. Extemporaneous Speaking
13.8.1. Communication among judges during the round. Judges must make independent decisions. Judges shall
not discuss decisions with other judges prior to turning in ballots. Timekeepers may share the length of a
given speech only. If questions arise regarding the rules or conduct of an event, judges shall ask at Speech
State Championships headquarters.
13.8.2. Topic. Current events of the current school year.
13.8.3. Drawing of Subtopics. One-half hour before speaking time, each contestant shall draw three topics, one
of which shall be chosen by the speaker.
13.8.4. Preparation. Contestants may use books, magazines or electronic retrieval devices during the preparation
period, but may not confer with any other person about the topic. An Extemp preparation room shall be
available at Speech State Championships. See below for rules and guidelines concerning use of electronic
retrieval devices.
(a) Contestants may make use of electronic retrieval devices to store and retrieve subject files. Students
can retrieve extemporaneous files to read but cannot write speeches or organize their thoughts on the
computers. This rule in no way prevents students from utilizing traditional paper copy files. The OSAA
takes no position on which form of file storage is preferable.
(b) Electronic retrieval devices are defined as laptop computers, netbooks, iPads or other portable
electronic retrieval equipment. Secondary devices such as flash drives or external hard drives are
allowed as well.
(c) Source Materials. Students may consult published books, periodical articles, newspaper articles, think
tank articles, government reports, journal articles or other websites accessed on their electronic
retrieval device or present in hard copy form provided:
(1) There are no notations made within or on the saved article other than citation information.
(2) Any highlighting or underlining of the articles is done in only one color within each article.
Bolding, italicizing, or any other manipulation of the original text of sources (other than
highlighting or underlining as previously stipulated) is prohibited.
(d) No other source materials will be allowed in the Extemporaneous prep room other than stated above.
Pre-written Extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs or outlines are prohibited from the prep
room, whether stored electronically or present in hard copy form.
(e) Power Source. Power plugs or outlets may not be used in the prep room at any time. All computers
used in the prep room must be battery operated at all times.
(f) Competitors are responsible for making certain their electronic retrieval devices are fully charged at
the start of each competition day and for proper power management ensuring that their device
remains functional throughout the competition day. Contestants may not use external power sources
in the prep room, such as wall outlets and/or extension cords.
(g) Internet. Extemporaneous Speaking contestants may access the Internet while in the prep room. All
computers must comply with the following provisions:
(1) Computers or other electronic devices may not be used to receive information from any
source (coaches or assistant coaches included) inside or outside of the room in which the
competition occurs.
(2) Penalty: Contestants found to have violated provision 1 will be disqualified for the tournament
and will forfeit all rounds. The tournament director shall make the final decision concerning
disqualification.
(3) Liability: Extemporaneous Speaking competitors accept full responsibility for the safety and
security of their electronic retrieval devices throughout the entire course of the tournament.
The OSAA and the host site do not assume any liability for the computers. The OSAA and the
host site are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged computers.
(4) File Monitoring: The OSAA and the tournament director retain the right to view and search
any electronic retrieval devices to ensure compliance with any and all rules at any tournament.
(5) Devices shall be muted in the prep room. Contestants shall not play games or engage in other
distracting activities on their electronic retrieval devices in the prep room. Tournament
officials may ask a student to power off the device if it becomes distracting.
(6) Students from the same school may share computers during preparation. However,
communication among contestants during preparation time is strictly prohibited.
13.8.5. Length. There is no minimum time limit; a maximum of seven minutes shall be allowed for each speech
with 30 seconds of grace. A speaker may be disqualified if they speak more than 7 ½ minutes.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the
beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
No contestant may be penalized if a stopwatch was not used for timing.
13.8.6. Notes. No notes may be used during the delivery, and no promptings are allowed.