Contestant Preparation

The following text is from 1171 Speech Contest Rule Book p.9

Speech Subject and Preparation

A. The subject of all International, Humorous, and Tall Tales contest speeches must be selected by the contestant.

B. The subject of Table Topics Contest speeches must be determined by the contest chair, as outlined in the Table Topics Contest section of this rulebook.

C. The subject of Evaluation Contest speeches must be limited to oral evaluations of the test speaker’s speech, as outlined in the Evaluation Contest section of this rulebook.

D. Contestants must create their own speeches, and each must be substantially original.

1. Twenty-five percent or less of the speech may be devoted to quoting, paraphrasing, or referencing another person’s content. Any quoted, paraphrased, or referenced content must be so identified during the speech presentation.

2. Before all contests, every contestant must certify in writing to the chief judge that the content of their speech is or will be substantially original by using the Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality (Item 1183).

E. Contestants must not reference another contestant, or a speech presented by another contestant, during their speech at the same contest in which they are competing.

F. All contestants will speak from the same platform or area designated by the contest chair.

1. All contestants, the chief judge, voting judges, and the tiebreaking judge will be advised of the speaking area before the contest begins.

2. A lectern/podium will be available. However, use of the lectern/podium is optional.

3. If amplification is necessary, a lectern/podium fixed-mounted microphone and a portable microphone must be made available.

4. All equipment must be available for contestants to practice with prior to the contest. Contestants are responsible for arranging their preferred setup of the lectern/podium microphone and other equipment in a quiet manner before being introduced.

The following text is from 1171 Speech Contest Rule Book p.16

Protests and Disqualifications

A. Protests are limited to eligibility, originality, and reference to another contestant’s speech and must only be lodged by voting judges and/or contestants. Any protest must be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chair prior to the contest being adjourned.

B. The chief judge, contest chair, voting judges, and contestants must not consider protests from audience members.

C. Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, or for referencing another contestant’s speech, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the voting judges. A majority of the voting judges must concur in the decision to disqualify.

D. The contest chair can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.

E. All decisions of the voting judges, and qualifying judges are final.

Use of Props and Electronic Devices

A. Contestants who plan to use props (including any sort of electronic devices) must notify the contest chair prior to the contest.

B. Contestants must abide by any venue restrictions on the use of props.

C. All props must be set up during the minute of silence prior to the contestant’s speech and removed from the stage in the minute of silence following the speech.

1. Contestants may enlist someone to help them with props, but it is not the responsibility of the contest chair or any other contest official to do so.

2. Contestants must demonstrate to the contest chair prior to the contest that the props can be set up and removed in the allotted times.

a) If a contestant is unable to demonstrate this, the props cannot be used during the contest.

Contestant Preparation

The following text is from 1171 Speech Contest Rule Book p.9Speech Subject and Preparation

The following text is from 1171 Speech Contest Rule Book p.9

Speech Subject and Preparation