Speech

Forms

• Rules
• Prepared Speech Judges Form
• Extemporaneous Speech Judges Form

Coordinator

Jeff Williams

48 South Park St. #304
Reno, NV 89502
775-336-8608
jeffcwilliams@gmail.com

Purpose

To provide opportunities for young people to develop their verbal communication talents by observing and sharing their public speaking skills.

Process

Each participant will:

• Register each participant by proper grade.
• Provide one judge for every four students in this event.
• Have each speaker at the proper room before the event begins.
• Provide 3 judging forms completed prior to the event.

The Event Coordinator will:

• Oversee Judges and room coordination.
• Review Judge's forms.
• Each room coordinator will compile judging sheets and assign an award category Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participant.
• Have completed Judge's Forms delivered to Tally Room.

Prepared Speech Guidelines

• Participants will develop an original speech of three (3) to six (6) minutes that is related to the LTC theme. Participants in grades three (3) through nine (9) may choose to speak about a Bible character as the topic of their speech. A single note card no larger than 3” x 5” index card is permitted. If more than one card is used there will be a penalty assessed. Another speaker may not use the same speech.
• For each thirty (30) seconds that a speaker is over or under the prescribed time limits, a penalty will be assessed.
• Spectators may not enter or leave the room while participants are speaking.
• No participant may be taped without his/her advance approval and appropriate notification to the judges. Any video or audio equipment must be set up prior to the contest and must be stationary.
• Speakers may not use props or visual aids during speeches. Thus, the use of props OR extra note cards will result in a penalty. The Bible, however, is not considered a prop. Speakers using props will be assessed a penalty.
• Speeches must be memorized and NOT read! A participant who reads his/her speech will be disqualified. Only one "3 x 5" note card is allowed.
• This event is not a dramatic interpretation. The judges will decide if the speech is overly dramatic with excessive use of dramatic techniques.
• All scripture readings can be no longer than 30 seconds combined for the entire speech. Quotations longer than the maximum will result in a penalty.
• The following grade categories are available:
  Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Extemporaneous Speech Guidelines

• Participants will be given 20 minutes to develop a speech of three to six minutes. Deductions of points will occur for speeches over or under the prescribed time limit is as follows:
  • Less than one minute: - 3-5th grades - Disqualified
  • Less than two minutes: - 6-12th grades - Disqualified
  • Penalties for every 30 seconds over or under the time limit
  • More than seven minutes: All grades - Disqualified
• Speech will cover current event topics from January 2010 to March 12, 2010. Topic is to be discussed in the context of scriptural themes from the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. Some topics will include specific scriptural passages from this book to be included in the discussion. Speeches that do not discuss the biblical perspectives will be disqualified. Scriptural themes must be discussed; however, the amount of time spent reading actual passages must be limited to no more than 30 seconds. Discussion of biblical themes does not have to be limited to the book of 2 Samuel.
• Each participant must provide his own pencil, paper, and resource materials, printed or electronic.
• Participants will be allowed to discard the first topic chosen if they desire, but they must take the second topic.
• Speakers should dress appropriately. No shorts.
• Props will not be allowed during speeches. Any article, either carried or worn, that is referenced in the speech will be considered a prop. The Bible will not be considered a prop. There will be a penalty for using props.
• The following grade categories are available:
  Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Awards

• There will be three Judges. Comment sheets will be provided for each participant in the Take Home Packet. An award rating will be assigned based upon the three Judges scores on a 5 point scale:
  5 = Excellent, 4 = Good, 3 = Average, 2 = Below Average, 1 = Needs work
• Participants will be assigned a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation Rating based upon the judges scores and will receive an appropriate-colored engraved plate for the individual's award plaque.