Shamrock Invitational with Wyatt Debate

2025 — Louisville, KY/US

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Extemporaneous Speaking

Event Description:

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING—Junior and Senior Divisions

Judge Instructions

Rules Summary

1. In this event, students used limited preparation time to prepare a speech which analyzes and answers a question addressing a current issue. The speaker may use one 3 X 5 note card (front and back). Students using more than the front and back of one 3 X 5 note card must be ranked last in the round. Additionally, no visual aids or props may be used.

1. The maximum time for Extemporaneous Speaking is five minutes (Junior Division) and seven minutes (Senior Division). There is a thirty second grace period, after which the student must be dropped in rank/rating. No violation of the grace period in Regional/State Quarterfinal, Semifinal, or Final rounds may result in disqualification. No performance violating the grace period may receive ‘1’ in the round.

1. Time signals are mandatory in this event. The count-down method must be used. See the KHSSL Time Signals page for details. The Time Signals rule is incorporated herein by reference.

1. Each competitor will have 30 minutes to prepare the speech before arriving at the competition room assigned.

1. During Final Rounds of the State tournaments, cross-examination will take place in the Senior Division. . Invitational tournaments will also have the right to utilize this form of cross-examination if they wish in their final rounds.

Judge Guidelines

1. Be sure to take the student's topic before he/she speaks.

2. Clarify with the student before he/she begins how time signals will be communicated and give hand signals while the student is speaking.

3. Make an outline as the student speaks. Organization is a principal part of a successful speech, along with presentation and sources.

4. The student should answer the question. The questions are purposefully broad, and the student is expected to make his/her own limitations rather than try to cover all aspects of the topic. Try to judge on the basis of how well the speaker does what he/she sets out to do. This is not necessarily a persuasive speech.

Criteria for Judging

1. Choice of Material Used in Speech

Did the speaker effectively answer the question as presented? Did the speaker use analysis, support, and/or refutation to answer the question? Did the speaker use appropriate source materials (in both quantity and quality) to support the thesis?

1. Organization of Speech

Did the speaker use an effective introduction? Did the speaker identify and support main points? Did the speaker have an effective summary or conclusion?

1. Presentation of Speech

Did the speaker demonstrate attributes of effective speech habits? Did the speaker exhibit poise, control of body, and clarity of voice to effectively communicate with the audience?

********Judge Notice********

In an effort to ensure fairness in judging practices, KHSSL has standardized the point values given to student performances. Please use the following rubric in order to assign point values to each student's performance. Students may not receive the same point value. Students may not receive more points than an individual more highly ranked. Judges are strongly encouraged to justify the reason for the rating on the ballot.