University of Lynchburg Snowball Speech and Debate Tournament
2024 — Lynchburg, VA/US
Extemporaneous Speaking
Event Description:
Extemporaneous Speaking
Purpose: promotion of clear thinking and speaking on contemporary topics.
Regulations: Topics come from current events areas chosen by VHSL. Contestant chooses topic at random and has 30 minutes to prepare.
Time: 7 min maximum (plus 30 second grace) The timekeeper will indicate time elapsed at the beginning of the fourth minute of the speech, show the progression of minutes at five, six, 6:30 and at the end of the seventh minute indicate that time has expired.
Notes: Speakers can use one 4x6 index card and use both sides for notes.
Prior to speech: contestant is to read the exact words or phrasing of question as it appears on paper he/she selected.
Movement: NOT limited-- but it should have purpose and not distract from speech.
Judging Criteria: Relevance of theme to topic, content, logic, freshness, depth, clarity of organization, sincerity of speaker, voice and diction, control and use of body language.