A. Two (2) timers are appointed by the chief judge. One is provided with a stopwatch, and the other with a signaling device that displays green, yellow, and red colors.
B. The signaling device must be in full view of each contestant.
C. The timer with the stopwatch maintains and delivers to the chief judge the written record of elapsed time of each speech on the Speech Contest Time Record Sheet and Instructions for Timers (Item 1175). This constitutes the official time.
D. The timer managing the timing device ensures that contestants are able to view an accurate green, yellow, or red signal at appropriate times during the speech.
E. All speeches delivered by contestants must conform to the timing guidelines for the contest.
1. International and Humorous contest speeches must be from five (5) to seven (7) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than four (4) minutes 30 seconds or more than seven (7) minutes 30 seconds. Timers must not consider fractions of a second. A contestant is not qualified until their time reaches four (4) minutes and 30 seconds and is not disqualified until their time reaches seven (7) minutes and 31 seconds.
Green = 5 Minutes, Yellow = 6 minutes, Red = 7 minutes
2. Table Topics Contest speeches must be from one (1) minute to two (2) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than one (1) minute or more than two (2) minutes 30 seconds. Timers must not consider fractions of a second. A contestant is not qualified until their time reaches one (1) minute and is not disqualified until their time reaches two (2) minutes and 31 seconds.
3. Evaluation Contest speeches must be from two (2) to three (3) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than one (1) minute 30 seconds or more than three (3) minutes 30 seconds. Timers must not consider fractions of a second. A contestant is not qualified until their time reaches one (1) minute and 30 seconds and is not disqualified until their time reaches three (3) minutes and 31 seconds.
4. Tall Tales Contest speeches must be from three (3) to five (5) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than two (2) minutes 30 seconds or more than five (5) minutes 30 seconds. Timers must not consider fractions of a second. A contestant is not qualified until their time reaches two (2) minutes and 30 seconds and is not disqualified until their time reaches five (5) minutes and 31 seconds.
F. Upon being introduced, the contestant must proceed immediately to the speaking position.
1. Timing will begin with the contestant’s first definite verbal or nonverbal communication with the audience. This usually will be the first word uttered by the contestant, but would include any other communication such as sound effects, a staged act by another person, etc.
2. The speaker should begin speaking within a short time after arriving at the speaking area, and is not permitted to delay the contest unnecessarily.
G. Timers must provide warning signals to the contestants, which must be clearly visible to the speakers but not obvious to the audience.
1. For International and Humorous contests:
a) The green signal will be displayed at five (5) minutes and remain displayed for one (1) minute.
b) The yellow signal will be displayed at six (6) minutes and remain displayed for one (1) minute.
c) The red signal will be displayed at seven (7) minutes and will remain on until the conclusion of the speech.
2. For Evaluation contests:
a) The green signal will be displayed at two (2) minutes and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
b) The yellow signal will be displayed at two (2) minutes and 30 seconds and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
c) The red signal will be displayed at three (3) minutes and remain displayed until the evaluation is concluded.
3. For Table Topics contests:
a) The green signal will be displayed at one (1) minute and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
b) The yellow signal will be displayed at one (1) minute 30 seconds and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
c) The red signal will be displayed at two (2) minutes and remain displayed until the speech is concluded.
Green = 1 Minute, Orange = 1 minute 30 seconds, Red = 2 minutes.
4. For Tall Tales contests:
a) The green signal will be displayed at three (3) minutes and remain displayed for one (1) minute.
b) The yellow signal will be displayed at four (4) minutes and remain displayed for one (1) minute.
c) The red signal will be displayed at five (5) minutes and remain displayed until the speech is concluded.
5. In all speech contests, no signal can be given for the overtime period.
6. Any visually impaired contestant is permitted to request and must be granted a form of warning signal of their own choosing.
a) Acceptable warning signals would include, but not be limited to: a buzzer, a bell, or a person announcing the times at five (5), six (6), and seven (7) minutes.
b) If any special device and/or specific instructions for such a signal is/are required, the contestant must provide same.
7. In the event of technical failure of the signal or timing equipment, a speaker is allowed 30 seconds extra overtime before being disqualified.
Prior to announcing results, the contest chair must announce the number of time disqualifications, but not name the contestant(s) involved.
Webiste Contents
Main Agenda Contest Procedure 中文演講比賽說明書 1171 Speech Contest Rule Book
Eligibility Timing Rules Judging Criteria Message for Contestant Contest Preparation
Contestant List List of TM Champions List Files & Links Contest Officials List
Message for Club Message for Contest Chair Message for Judge Message for SAA, Timer, Counter
20240204國台語演講比賽暨即席問答比賽 Hosting Event Doreen's Data Faye's Planning
Toastmasters International Toastmasters District 67 ToastmastersD67重要演講影音資料