The Extemporaneous Speech should be an original synthesis of
current fact and opinion on a topic drawn by the contestant. The goal of this
activity is the encouragement of extensive reading, understanding of many
subjects, and the development of reasoned, supportable positions on issues.
Rules – Selection:
The
MSHSL will recommend, each fall, subject areas chosen from these
publications.
The
MSHSL will provide questions in both U.S. and International areas for each
level of MSHSL competition.
Speakers
may choose from either U.S. or International topics.
The
subjects for this event shall be taken from the following magazines and
newspapers, with an attempt to balance social, economic, and political
issues:
Time
Newsweek
U.S.
News & World Report
St.
Paul Pioneer Press
Minneapolis
Star Tribune
The
order of speaking shall be determined by lot.
Thirty
(30) minutes before the contest begins, the first speaker shall draw three
questions.
The
speaker shall immediately choose one of them and return the other two,
which shall then be put with the other questions remaining to be drawn.
The
questions chosen shall be recorded by the Event Manager.
Each
of the succeeding speakers shall, at intervals of seven (7) minutes, in
turn, follow the same procedure.
In the
event that the student draws a previously performed question, s/he may
draw a substitute question.
In
finals at ALL levels of competition, a student may not repeat a question
previously chosen at that level of competition.
During
the thirty (30) minutes of preparation of the speech, the contestant shall
have access to magazines and other materials.
However,
students are not permitted the use of computers.
After
the contestant has drawn a question, the student shall not confer, or have
any communication, in any way with a coach or others until the speech has
been delivered.
A
maximum of 50 words of notes shall be allowed each speaker.
Any
symbol should be considered a word. (Examples of symbols are: \ =
therefore; > = greater than; < = less than; ^ = increase; = =
equals; v = decrease.)
Each
speaker shall present the question drawn to the Room Manager or Judge(s)
of the round.
Upon
completion of the speech, each speaker shall immediately present any notes
used to the Room Manager or Judge(s), who will present the same to the
Contest Manager.
The
Judge(s) shall not be permitted to ask questions of the speakers.
Unless
otherwise determined by the Region Committee, the questions are to be
furnished by the League Office for:
Subsection
Contests The questions, U.S. and International, (one set per round per
contest section) will be furnished to the Contest Manager prior to said
contest.
Section
Contests The questions, U.S. and International, (one set per round per
contest section) will be furnished to the Contest Manager to said contest.
Rules – Performance:
Questions
shall require persuasive rather than informative speeches.
Students
are judged on
The
quality of information presented, together with their use of that
information to support the thesis.
Strict
adherence to the question drawn.
Well-chosen
information relative to the question drawn.
Organization
of the material.
Effective
delivery.
THE
SPEECH SHALL BE EXTEMPORANEOUS AND SHALL NOT EXCEED SEVEN (7) MINUTES IN
LENGTH. SPEAKERS WARNED THAT TIME HAS EXPIRED MAY CONCLUDE WITH ONE FINAL
SENTENCE.