wisdom behind the memoirs of my journey: speeches

A.D.S., After-Dinner Speaking

Subject. The student chooses his/her own subject and develops an original speech. "Original" mean "not copied, reproduced, or translated; novel, fresh; not borrowed from some other source."
General Purpose. To entertain.
Nature.

The speech should have an under tone of seriousness.
The speech should not be:

A series of unrelated jokes.
A skit or vaudeville performance.
Dependent upon impersonation, although character suggestions and use of dialect in telling jokes or stories is permissible.
A speech that is "acted out."

Humor must always be in good taste. Offensive humor and materials shall not be permitted.

Length The speech shall be no more than six (6) minutes in length with 30 seconds of grace allowed. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption. Time signals shall be given at the speaker's request.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
After-dinner Speaking Finals shall not be timed.
Preparation and Notes. The speech is prepared in advance. No notes are permitted and no promptings are allowed during the delivery of the speech.
Changing Speeches. The speech used at the District Tournament must also be used at the State Tournament.
Manuscripts. A copy of the speech must be given to the District Director at the time of the District Tournament. Manuscripts of the qualifying District winners (and alternates) must then be presented to the State Tournament Director at the time of registration for the State Tournament.

Dual Interpretation

Length Contestants shall speak no more than ten (10) minutes including the introduction and reading. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. If laughter delays the speakers, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
No contestant may be penalized if a stopwatch was not used for timing.
Introduction. Contestants shall appropriately introduction their readings. The introduction should be shared and memorized.
Presentation. Dual Interpretation is a presentation by two speakers both of whom should face the audience. The material shall be memorized.
Changing Readings. Materials presented at the District Tournament must also be presented at the State Tournament.
Materials. The materials shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, play or narrative poetry. Adaptation may be made for the purpose of continuity only.
Materials may be humorous and/or serious. Only one division shall exist in Dual Interpretation.
Re-use. No speaker may use a cutting from the same source that the speaker used in any contest previous to the current school year.
Overlap. Students may not use the same material, or cuttings from the same source, in Dual Interpretation and any other interpretation event.
Instructions to the Judges. The Responsibility of the speaker is to entertain the audience with the material used. The speakers should suggest the characters, moods, and changes of situation largely through their voices. Characterizations should be confined to facial expressions, postures, and character placement. Body movement should be limited. This is a contest for the interpretation of a play, a cutting from a play, narrative poetry or prose. This is not a contest in acting.

Expository Speaking

Subject. The speaker is responsible for choosing an appropriate subject and may not use more than 100 quoted words including all short words such as "a," "an," "the," etc.
General Purpose. The basic purpose of the speech is to inform.
Nature. Argumentative, persuasive, or entertaining material may be used but only to illustrate, enliven, or clarify the information. If the emphasis is on any or all of these and information serves to develop them, the speech shall be considered to fall outside of the expository purpose. Materials should be represented in a logical manner in order to maintain a high level of interest by the listener.
Delivery. There should be an absence of marked defects in the mechanics of speech - poise, use and quality of voice, enunciation, fluency, bodily expressiveness. These factors should contribute to the holding of the listeners' interest.
Length. Eight (8) minutes maximum with 30 seconds of grace is allowed. Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Preparation and Notes. The speech is to be prepared in advance. No notes or manuscripts shall be allowed.
Visual Aids. These may not be in the central focus of the speech but must be used only to supplement the exposition. Animated visual aids, which are to be interpreted as any projected images, are prohibited.
Changing Speeches. The speech used at the District Tournament must also be used at the State Tournament.
Manuscripts. A copy of the speech, including the bibliography, must be available if requested by the tournament director at the District or State Tournament. Failure to provide a manuscript if requested may be used as a basis for disqualification from the tournament.

Extemporaneous Speaking

Topic. Each years topic is stated on page one of the Coaches handbook.
Drawing of Subtopics. One hour before speaking time, each contestant shall draw three topics, one of which shall be chosen by the speaker.
Preparation. Contestants may use books, magazines, or notes during the preparation period, but may not confer with any other person about the topic. An extemp preparation room shall be available at State Tournaments.
Length. A maximum of seven (7) minutes shall be allowed for each speech with 30 seconds of grace. A speaker may be disqualified if he speaks more then 7-½ minutes. A timekeeper will use cards or hand signals showing the time left in the speech: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ½, 0.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Notes. No notes may be used during the delivery, and no prompting are allowed.
District Topics. District Directors shall ask coaches to submit a certain number of topics to be used at the District Tournament.

Impromptu Speaking

Topic Area. Each years topic area is stated on page one of the Coaches handbook.
Procedures of the Contest.

Each contestant shall draw a topic slip.
Contestants may read aloud the topic chosen or may incorporate the topic statement into the speech.
Contestants shall begin to speak immediately without time for preparation.
Notes, materials, or previously prepared speech outlines shall not be allowed as the contestant speaks.
Contestants are not allowed to hear the other speakers before them. After a contestant has spoken, however, he/she may remain in the room to hear the speakers who follow.

Length. Five (5) minutes with a 30 second period of grace. A timekeeper shall use cards or hand signals showing the time left in the speech: 4, 3, 2, 1, ½, 0.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
District Topics. District Directors shall ask coaches to submit a certain number of topics to be used at the District Tournament.

Memorized Humorous

Length. Contestants shall speak no more than ten (10) minutes with no grace period. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Introduction. Each speaker shall appropriately introduce the material. The title and author of the selection must be given.
Presentation. The materials are to be memorized. Physical objects, props or costumes are not allowed.
Changing Material. Materials given at the District Tournament must be given at the State Tournament.
Materials. They shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of continuity only. Selections may be chosen from any good literature without regard to publication date. Recordings are not allowed.
Re-use. No student may use a cutting from the same source which he used in any contest previous to the current school year.
Overlap. Students may not use the same material, or cuttings from the same source, in Humorous Reading and Memorized Humorous.
Suggestions to the Judges. The responsibility of the speaker is to entertain the audience with the material used. Character portrayal should be confined to facial expression, gestures, postures, and character placement. Limited movement is allowed. This is not a solo acting contest.

Memorized Serious

Length. Contestants shall speak no more than ten (10) minutes with no grace period. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Introduction. Each speaker shall appropriately introduce the material. The title and author of the selection must be given.
Presentation. The materials are to be memorized. Physical objects, props or costumes are not allowed.
Changing Material. Materials given at the District Tournament must be given at the State Tournament.
Material. They shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of continuity only. Selections may be chosen from any good literature without regard to publication date. Recordings are not allowed.
Re-use. No speaker may use a cutting from the same source which he used in any contest previous to the current school year.
Overlap. Students may not use the same material, or cuttings from the same source, in traditional Serious Reading and Memorized Serious.

Suggestions to the Judges. The responsibility of the speaker is to entertain the audience with the material used. Character portrayal should be confined to facial expression, gestures, postures, and character placement. Limited movement is

Oratory

Subject. No limitation is placed on subject matter, other than that it be significant and worthy. The composition is to be the student's original work. No more than one hundred and fifty quoted words including all short words such as "a," "an," "the," etc., may be used.
Length. Each speech is limited to ten (10) minutes presentation time with no grace period.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Manuscript. A copy of the speech, including the bibliography, must be available if requested by the tournament director at the District of State Tournament. Failure to provide a manuscript if requested may be used as a basis for disqualification from the tournament.
Memorization. Verbatim memorization is optional. However, departures from the manuscript may not add to the length of the speech.
Changing Speeches. The oration used in the District Tournament must be used in the State Tournament.
Notes. No notes are permitted and no prompting are allowed.
Instructions to the Judges. In this contest, the students have chosen their own subjects, written their speeches and committee them to memory. They are, however, permitted to deviate from the original script in order to make a better adjustment to the speaking situation. Students are expected to choose a significant subject. They may discuss a problem of social, economical, moral, or political importance, or they may praise (eulogize) a person or idea, or inveigh against an immoral practice, law, group, or person. Ordinarily, the student combines argument with emotional appeal. Speakers employ materials and language that are graphic, striking, sometimes dramatic - but always with the desire to put the speaker's idea across, not to call attention to the speaker's techniques. The oration is a speech, not a dramatic reading.

Poetry Reading

Theme. Contestants are to choose poems which are related to and organized around a central theme.
Example of Theme. A central or unifying theme may be a poet, statesman, philanthropist, an idea, a philosophy, nature, an element of nature, a community, trees, death, etc. For example, using the theme of love, cutting may be taken from Robert Burns' "Mary Morrison," William Wordsworth's "She Was a Phantom of Delight," and Lord Byron's "When We Two Parted," or using the theme of nature's changing seasons; cuttings might be taken from Robert Bridges' "London Snow," Swinburne's "Autumn in Cornwall." and Robert Frost's "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." Humorous poetry may be used.
Poems. No fewer than three poems or cuttings from three poems are to be used, and at least three poems are to be not less than eight lines. Judges should check the manuscripts to enforce this rule.
Introductions. Each poem should be appropriately introduced in order to give setting (if necessary), to relate it to the central theme, and to establish the proper mood for the audience. Introductions should be memorized or delivered extemporaneously.
Length. Contestants are allowed a speaking time of no more than eight (8) minutes with 30 seconds of grace. This includes the introduction, poetry reading, and necessary transitions.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Presentation. Students must read from a manuscript or from the printed page. Continued practice during the time of preparation may result in memorization of some passages. The aim of the reader, however, should not be complete memorization. Rather frequent references must be made to the manuscript during presentation of the materials. While standing primarily in one place, contestants may use limited gestures and facial, verbal and vocal expression.
Materials - Sources. Contestants are urged to select material within their grasp, their ability to understand and to interpret, but materials which are good literature. Anthologies of modern poetry, British or American, as well as high school literature books should prove helpful. Original work of the student is encouraged.
Changing Reading. Poetry prepared for and used at the District Tournament must also be used at the State Tournament.

Prose Reading

Length. Contestants shall speak no more than eight (8) minutes with a 30 second period of grace including the introduction and reading. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption.
Time signals will be given at the speakers' request.
Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if stopwatch was not used for timing.
Introduction. Each reader shall appropriately introduce the reading. Introductions should be memorized or delivered extemporaneously.
Presentation. The materials are to be read from a manuscript or printed page. Continued practice during the time of preparation may result in memorization of some passages. The aim of the reader, however, should not be complete memorization. Rather frequent references must be made to the manuscript during the presentation of the materials. Contestants may use limited gestures while standing in one place and freely using facial, verbal and vocal expression. Contestants may use transition steps during introductions and transitions, which should be presented in an extemporaneous manner making use of appropriate gestures and physical movements.
Changing Readings. Materials read at the District Tournament must also be read at the State Tournament.
Materials.

The materials shall be cuttings from published, printed short stories, novels or essays. No material may be presented from any work that is identified as a play/drama or poem.
Adaptation may be made for the purpose of continuity only. Selections may be chosen from any good literature without regard to publication date.
Both narration and dialogue are encouraged, but MORE THAN 50% OF THE WORDS IN THE SELECTION MUST BE NARRATION.

Re-Use. No speaker may use a cutting from the same source that the speaker used in any contest previous to the current school year.
Overlap. Students may not use the same material, or cuttings from the same source, in Prose Reading and any other interpretation event.
Instructions to the Judges. This is a contest for the interpretation of a cutting from a published, printed short story, novel or essay. No speaker shall be penalized for a lack of dialogue in his or her presentation. The speaker should suggest the characters, moods, and changes of situation largely though his voice. Characterizations should be confined to facial expressions, postures, and character placement, but there should be no movement of the entire body.
Special Note. Judges should expect that some readers, from constant practice of their selection, may be able to present potions from memory. Speakers are not to be penalized for this, as long as they refer rather frequently to their manuscripts or to the printed page in front of them.

Radio Commentary

Subject. The speech shall be an original news commentary dealing with current events of the current school year.
Scripts. The script is to be an analysis of news, not simply a running synopsis of news. It is to be original and written by the contestant. A copy of the manuscript, including the bibliography, must be available if requested by the tournament director at the District or State Tournament. Failure to provide a manuscript if requested may be used as a basis for disqualification from the tournament.
Quoted Material. The speaker may use no more than seventy-five quoted words including all short words such as "a," "an," "the," etc.
Length. The script should be timed to end between 4:45 and 5:15 minutes. Any speaker ending before 4:45 or after 5:15 minutes shall be disqualified.
Time signals shall be given to the speaker indicating the amount of time the speaker has used, not time left. The cards will read : 1, 2, 3, 4, 4:45, 5, 5:15.
No contestant may be disqualified if a stopwatch was not used for timing.
Procedure. Contestants shall be out of sight of the judges.
The script is to be read from a manuscript or printed page, and not committed to memory. It is not to be acted nor highly dramatized.
Changing Speeches. The radio speech used at the District Tournament must also be used at the State Tournament.
Bibliography. The script must include a bibliography of no fewer than two sources.