2025 Blacksnake NIETOC
2025 — Pocatello, ID/US
Informative Speaking
Event Description:
Informative Speaking - 10 minutes with a 30-second “grace
period.” No time signals provided.
1. Purpose: An informative speech is an original speech
designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular
subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience
to gain understanding and/or knowledge of a topic. Any
other purpose such as to entertain or to convince shall be
secondary. The use of audio/visual aids is optional.
2. Contest: This contest comprises only memorized speeches
composed by the contestants and not used by them during a
previous contest season.
3. Length: The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30-second “grace
period.” 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.
4. Aids: Audio/visual aids may or may not be used to
supplement and reinforce the message. If used, the
audio/visual aids should enhance or support the message
rather than distract from the overall effectiveness of the
presentation. During the presentation, no electronic
equipment is permitted. Electronic equipment is defined as
any object requiring an electrical cord, battery, or solar power
to operate it (projectors, cell phones, radios, iPads,
computers, etc.). The use of live animals or any additional
people as visual aids is not allowed during the speech. Items
of dress put on and/or removed for illustration during the
course of the presentation are considered costumes and may
not be part of the contestant’s presentation. Visual aids may
not violate policies as dictated by local and state law
(weapons, drugs, etc.) Contestants may not distribute items
to the judges or audience before, during, or after the round.
This includes but is not limited to food, objects, handouts,
flyers, and promotional merchandise. The host school is not
responsible for providing any facilities, equipment, including
tables, chairs, or easels, or assistance in a contestant’s use of
visual aids. In order to facilitate the video recording of the
final round at the State Tournament, one table will be
provided for use by the contestants. This provision is only
for the final round. Expedient set up and take down of aids
is expected. If a visual aid displays published pictorial
material, the source must be included in the work-cited page
but does not need to be cited orally