John C Stennis Novice Invitational
2024 — Starkville, MS/US
Impromptu Speaking
Event Description:
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING
1. Topics: Topics will include proverbs, abstract words, events, quotations, and famous people. Tournament directors may use pictures or other forms of prompts.
2. Drawing: A judge in each section/room shall be provided a uniform set of topics, with a different subject area(s) used for each round. Each speaker will be presented three topics and choose one.
3. Preparation and Delivery: The speaker has seven minutes in which to prepare a response and present a speech without consultation of prepared notes. Students may consult published books, magazines, newspapers and journals or articles therefrom, provided.
4. Notes: No notes should be used during the presentation.
5. Time: The maximum time limit is 7 minutes with a 30-second “grace period,” which includes both preparation and speaking. If there are multiple judges in the round, all must agree that the student has gone beyond the grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the student may not be ranked 1st. There is no other prescribed penalty for going over the grace period. The ranking is up to each individual judge’s discretion. Judges who choose to time are to use accurate (stopwatch function) timing devices. No minimum time is mandated.