Expository
An Expository is a prepared speech written by the competitor which explains and illustrates a topic through both words and visuals (e.g. illustrated boards, physical props, digital and electronic presentations, or any combination). (Stoa website).
Maximum speech length is 10 minutes with no minimum.
This is a traditional style of speech with visual aids. This is a good speech for beginning speakers! The visual aids do not need to be elaborate. PowerPoint presentations on a laptop with the laptop placed on a chair in front of the judging panel can be effective if you have a remote type presentation clicker.
Visual aids can also be foam boards on an easel. Some people stick things to the boards while they present using magnets or Velcro (shouldn't be too sticky). When using Velcro, there is a fine line between using large enough pieces that you can easily hit the mark with while speaking, and too large a piece that makes it difficult to remove easily with one hand. For these reasons, magnets may work better than Velcro.
Examples of Stoa Expository Speeches are given at the bottom of this page.
Click below to see the official Stoa rules and ballot for 2022-2023:
Expository Student Ballot 2023-2024
Expository Script Submission Form 2023-2024
Helpful Tips about How to Structure Your Expository Speech by Steve Barth:
The above video contains general information on how to structure a speech. The gentleman giving the speech is a coach for a different league but gives very good information. Below are a few things to add:
The conclusion can also contain a recap of the road map and at the very end ties back into the introduction.
The examples of the written speeches used is an event that Stoa does not offer but is 100% applicable.
Below is another video about Expository speeches although the title of the video is Informative Speeches.
The above video is about the Informative Speech event in another league. This event is very similar to Stoa' Expository event. Below are some of the corrections to the video in light of the Stoa rules:
The grace period is only 15 seconds; not 30 seconds. Really you should be through speaking at 10 minutes. 15 seconds is the grace period for the judge to turn off the timer.
If you do use notes (common at the Oct/Nov tournaments), you can still compete, but you will have a two rank penalty.
The Expository Speech in Stoa doesn't have to be super serious.
The visual aids/props do not have to be illustrated boards but can also include physical props and electronic like PowerPoint presentations on the computer,
How to Cite Your Sources
Here is the Stoa Guidelines on How to Cite Your Sources. Also here is a video about how to verbally cite sources in your speech.
In Summary:
Expository Presentation Rule #1: All direct quotations and primary sources must be cited verbally within the body of the speech. Use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting them is plagiarism and strictly forbidden. Citations are necessary to show the source of your material. Use citations when you directly quote, paraphrase or summarize information from any source.
How to Cite: If you directly quote, paraphrase or summarize information from any source you must:
1. Cite your source verbally for your audience. Here is a video that gives creative ideas on how to cite your sources verbally!
2. Cite your source in-text (parenthetically) to easily connect it to your Citation Page.
Speech Helps
Lasting Impact! Membership is $35 a year and gives you access to over 300 articles about speech, more videos about how to do different events, ask a coach feature where you can ask specific questions, and a discount on online classes like Extemp Round Table, which happens on Fridays beginning November 18th.
How to Pick a Speech Topic (3:32)
Five Core Components for an Effective Speech (7:11)
Top 5 Tips for Speeches (2:28)
How to Make a Compelling Argument (4:01)
EXAMPLES OF EXPOSITORY SPEECHES IN STOA