Rogue Valley Invitational at Crater High School
2024 — Central Point, OR/US
After Dinner Speaking
Event Description:
13.5. After-Dinner Speaking.
13.5.1. 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.
13.5.2. Subject. The student chooses their own subject and develops an original speech. "Original" means "not
copied, reproduced or translated; novel, fresh; not borrowed from some other source."
13.5.3. General Purpose. To entertain.
13.5.4. Nature.
(a) The speech should have an undertone of seriousness.
(b) The speech should not be:
(1) A series of unrelated jokes.
(2) A skit or vaudeville performance.
(3) Dependent upon impersonation, although character suggestions and use of dialect in telling jokes
or stories is permissible.
(4) A speech that is "acted out."
Oregon School Activities Association 2023-2024 Speech Handbook
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(c) Humor must always be in good taste. Offensive humor and materials shall not be permitted.
13.5.5. Length. There is no minimum time limit; the speech shall be no more than six minutes in length with 30
seconds of grace allowed. 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. Time signals may be given at
the speaker’s request; however, presentation within the time length is ultimately the responsibility of the
speaker.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if a
stopwatch was not used for timing.
After-dinner Speaking Finals shall not be timed.
13.5.6. Preparation and Notes. The speech is prepared in advance. No notes are permitted, and no promptings
are allowed during the delivery of the speech.
13.5.7. Changing Speeches. The speech used at the District Tournament must also be used at the Speech State
Championships.
13.5.8. Manuscripts. A copy of the speech, including the bibliography, must be available if requested by the
Speech State Championships Director at the District or Speech State Championships. Failure to provide a
manuscript if requested may be used as a basis for disqualification from the tournament.