EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING (Click here for rubrics.)
Separate contests will be held in Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking in all classifications.
This is a speaking contest in which contestants are provided with a selection of topics dealing with current national and international issues that have been discussed in periodicals since September 1, of the current year that have been compiled by the GHSA Office. In late January, the GHSA will distribute three (3) general areas that topics will be chosen from in both Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking The most successful responses will directly attack the question provided in an organized, well-structured speech that includes ample evidence, mentions sources, and demonstrates engaging delivery; a reference to counterargument is suggested, but not required.
Contestants will be allowed to use one notecard (either 3x5 or 4x6) during the speech. NOTE: Contestants who use more than one notecard or something other than a notecard will be scored, but will not be ranked.
Thirty (30) minutes before the contest is scheduled to begin, the student who is to speak first shall draw three (3) topics and select one (1) on which to speak. The remaining two (2) topics are returned.
Contestants will draw for topics at seven-minute intervals in the order of presentation.
The presiding official of the contest shall record the contestant’s name, contestant’s school, position for presentation, and topic drawn.
A student may compete in only one of the two Extemporaneous Speaking events
The procedure for the contest shall be as follows:
After each student has drawn a topic, that student will be escorted to a room where they will have 30 minutes to prepare a speech in brief, outline form.
Students should not compose and read an entire speech from their notecard.
Students cannot leave the prep room during their 30-minute prep time.
Contestants may not receive assistance from another person, but may use any paper copy materials that have been brought to the site as well as self-contained computers or laptops. (Cell phone and/or smart phone use and Internet access ARE NOT allowed and will result in disqualification. Cell phones must be left outside the prep room or with the monitor). Contestants may make use of a computer or laptop to store and to retrieve subject matter only. NOTE: If the Internet is needed to retrieve stored material, this retrieval will not be allowed.
At the end of the preparation time, the contestant will be escorted to the presentation area and the contestant shall give a copy of the selected topic to a judge.
Each contestant shall be allotted seven (7) minutes in which to deliver the speech. The adult timekeeper will show time cards upon request, record times and provide them to the event coordinator or tabulator at the end of the competition. Contestants that exceed the time limit (7 minutes) will be scored, but will not be ranked. A five second buffer will be allowed for before the infraction is enacted.
The first place winner from each Region competition shall advance to the State competition.
There shall be two (2) judges for Extemporaneous Speaking at the Region and State competitions.
The judges shall take into consideration the following components:
Thesis & Content (20%)
Development & Support (20%)
Organization & Structure (20%)
Language & Delivery (40%)
The judges shall use GHSA score sheets and shall follow scoring directions given to them by the GHSA Office.
If the order of performance is not assigned by the GHSA, contestants shall draw for order of presentation upon reporting to the site of the competition.
Contestants shall report to the drawing area at the designated time set for the contest.
Contestants who are not present at the time of the drawing, will have their position drawn for them.
Contestants who have conflicts with other Literary events should consult with the GHSA prior to the contest, and may have early or late presentation positions designated for them.