Overview:

Students in this event  have only 7 minutes to choose a topic from an envelope, prepare an outline, and give a speech to engage their audience. Topics can be light-hearted or more serious.  Their speech should be organized, supported with examples or analysis, and interesting.  As a judge you will rank them from first to last. 

*times and rules vary greatly by tournament for this event, please clarify with your host before judging.

• Analysis and Content: Did the speaker analyze the topic adequately? Did the content show that the speaker has adequate knowledge of the subject? Was the content relevant to the topic?

• Introduction: Did the speaker get your attention and introduce the subject in an interesting manner? Did it relate to the rest of the speech?

• Organization: Were the ideas carefully selected and set forth in the speech?

• Supporting Materials: Did the speaker have adequate support for his/her assertions? Was the evidence pertinent and logically set forth?

• Style: Did the speaker exhibit command of informal conversational style, rather than stilted or formal usage? Was the language communicative rather than "memorized?"

• Oral Presentation: Was the speaker's speech devoid of dialectical errors, mannerisms, etc. that call attention to themselves rather than communicate the ideas presented? Did the speaker's bodily action contribute to his/her skill of communication?