You get a topic (often you get to choose one from three topics you draw), have 1 or 2 minutes to think about it, and 4 or 5 minutes (depending on the specific tournament) to give a speech on it. The topics can be crazy (quotes, cartoons, words you don't know...) and the idea is to show your ability to speak under pressure. You are judged for continuity of speech and material you are able to recall at the spur of the moment, as well as mechanics of speech (poise, voice, body action, and ability to hold the audience's attention). Throughout the day you perform four different times for four different judges.
Original Oratory
Present a 5-10 minute (8+ minute speeches are generally ranked higher) memorized speech that you wrote yourself. You can write about anything, but it is best to do a type of social commentary on an issue that you feel needs attention (and that interests you). The official judging booklet says that it should be "appropriate to the speaker and the audience" and that the speaker should "present it in an interesting and informed manner." It adds that "the student should have taken pains to use rhetoic and diction effectively. The use of repetition, similes, metaphors, and parallel structure add to the power of the speech. In addition, judge the speaker's voice, poise, and expressiveness as well as his sincerity...the most compelling, important, and persuasive oratory should win the round." No more than 150 words can be directly quoted from another source.Throughout the day you perform four different times for four different judges.
Storytelling
Perform a retelling of a published story. The focus here is on voice dramatization and inflection. Characters may be portrayed by voice and posture changes. The narrator's voice should be lively and interesting. No longer than five minutes. According to the official judging packet, "Judge...purely on dramatic telling and the interest of the story itself. Often the readers will present different character voices, or sing, which adds to their demonstrated range of storytelling skills." A script is generally allowed, but it depends on the tournament. Throughout the day you perform four different times for four different judges.
Prose Poetry
Put together excerpts from poems and stories (which could include short stories, journals, essays, or articles) and recite them. At least two selections must be used, and a common theme should be established through introductions and transitions. You can have your script with you but it is best if you don�t use it. At some tournaments you do a medley of prose and poetry, and at some you do prose two rounds and poetry two rounds. Time limit is 5-10 minutes. Throughout the day you perform four different times for four different judges.
Extemporaneous
This event is designed to see how much the student knows about current events. 30 minutes before a round, you draw three subjects and choose one to speak on (they deal with current events; things you would read about in "the big three": Time, Newsweek, and US News & World Report). You can use resources (in print, nothing online), including the magazines listed above (We have a growing library for Speech and Debate) to help you write the speech. According to the official judging book, "Contestants should be held accountable for :
1. Adherence to the question drawn.
2. Well chosen information relative to the subject as presented in current periodicals.
3. Source use. Watch out for made up sources.
4. Analysis of the material that shows a real understanding of the topic.
5. Delivery, including all the mechanics of good speech, poise, quality and use of voice, gestures, directness, and the ability to enlist and hold the interest of the audience. "
*Note: This is a very abbreviated version of the judging packet's Extemp description. For a full copy, see Angela.
This is a notoriously tough one, but if you're a news junkie it's perfect for you. Throughout the day you perform four different times for four different judges.