Speech Timing

SPEECH COMPETITION

Speech Timer Responsibilities

1. Make sure you have

   • time cards and understand how to use and explain them

   • a stopwatch or timer

   • copies of the different impromptu topics

General order of events and logistics

1. Students are assigned to a room.  

2. Using the provided script, the timer will explain timing for the prepared speech

3. Each student will deliver their prepared speech.

4. Upon completion of the prepared speech, the judges will fill out their Google form ballot while the timer explains the process for the impromptu speech.

5. Each student will deliver their impromptu speech.

6. Upon completion of the impromptu speech when the student leaves the room, the timer will inform the judges about timing violations.

Prepared speech

1. The speech has a target of four minutes. The timer will display cards in this manner:

   1. ONE MINUTE (green): Three minutes elapsed, one minute remaining

   2. 30 SECONDS (yellow): Three and a half minutes elapsed, 30 seconds remaining

   3. STOP (red): Four minutes elapsed.  Ask the student to stop.

   4. Timing cards must be clearly visible to the student speaker and must remain visible until the next card is displayed.

2. A timing deduction is applied if the student stops speaking before the 30 SECONDS yellow card is shown (three minutes thirty seconds) or if the student speaks beyond the STOP red card (beyond four minutes).  

3. Timing violations are applied to the prepared and impromptu separately. Students can potentially have a violation for one or the other, neither, or both.

4. Please note, it is not the Olympics.  Exercise some tolerance for a second or two.

Impromptu speech

1. The timer will share one of the four impromptu sheets (alternate) and remind them that they have one minute to prepare.

2. The timer will ask the student to choose one question to answer and prepare an impromptu speech answering the question.  They may use note cards or other means to compose their thoughts.  

3. At the conclusion of the one minute of preparation, the student delivers their impromptu speech.

4. The speech has a target of two minutes.  The timer will display cards in this manner:

5. 1. ONE MINUTE (green) card: One minute elapsed, one minute remaining

   2. 30 SECONDS (yellow) card: One and a half minutes elapsed, 30 seconds remaining

   3. STOP (red) card: Two minutes elapsed.  Ask the student to stop

   4. Timing cards must be clearly visible to the student speaker and must remain visible until the next card is displayed.

6. Penalty scoring is applied if the student stops speaking before the 30 SECONDS yellow card is shown (one minute 30 seconds) or if the student speaks beyond the STOP red card (beyond two minutes).

Timer Scripts

Timer Script - Prepared speech

Welcome. We will start with your prepared speech, which is up to four minutes long. When three minutes have gone by and one minute is remaining, I will hold up the GREEN card. When three minutes and thirty seconds have gone by and thirty seconds are remaining, I will hold up the YELLOW card. At four minutes, I will hold up the RED card and ask you to finish your current sentence and stop speaking. To avoid a timing point deduction, you need to reach the yellow card, but not go past the red card. Timing will begin with your first spoken word.

Timer Script - Impromptu speech

Part one: We will now move on to the impromptu portion of the speech event. When prompted, you will turn over the piece of paper on this desk (pointing) and see three impromptu questions. You will have sixty seconds to choose a question and prepare a speech that is up to two minutes in length. You may use provided note cards and pencil if desired

Part two: Your one minute is complete.  Please indicate which question you will be speaking on.  <pause> As a reminder, your impromptu speech is up to two minutes long. When one minute has gone by and one minute is remaining, I will hold up the GREEN card. When ninety seconds have gone by and thirty seconds are remaining, I will hold up the YELLOW card. At two minutes, I will hold up the RED card and ask you to finish your current sentence and stop speaking. To avoid a timing point deduction, you need to reach the yellow card, but not go past the red card. Timing will begin with your first spoken word.