General Resources
Judging Assignments: Unlike in debate, you most likely will not be judging the event your student is participating in, so be sure to familiarize yourself with other speech events and how to judge them.
Speech Events:
Judging Guidelines and Example Videos
Info/Expos
Informative Speaking is a 10-minute presentation written and performed by the student. Informative requires students to balance that content with delivery and style. Students in Informative must be articulate, engaging, and smooth with their delivery at both a vocal and physical level. The purpose of the event is to inform and educate the audience on a topic of significance. Visual aids may be used and should support the speech.
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Original Oratory (OO)
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and are generally persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory
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Interp (General)
Program Oral Interp (POI)
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Declamation/Oratorical Interpretation (Dec/OI)
The speaker selects a speech that was previously given to a public audience. The student is to deliver the speech as it might have been given to fulfill the purpose of the speech. OI speeches typically use facets of delivery from Interpretation during the performance. No notes are allowed and the speech must be memorized.
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Dramatic Interpretation (DI)
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, this event focuses on the student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance, and state the title and the author.
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Humorous Interpretation (HI)
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author.
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Duo Interpretation (DUO)
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. Performers are not allowed to touch each other or make eye contact. Performances can also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and the author. Performances can be dramatic, humorous, or a mix of both.
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Extemp (IX/NX/DX)
International Extemp (IX)
Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to international current events and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from country-specific issues to regional concerns to foreign policy. The speech is delivered from memory.
National/Domestic Extemp (NX/DX)
Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to current events in the United States and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from political matters to economic concerns to U.S. foreign policy. The speech is delivered from memory.
Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to international current events and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from country-specific issues to regional concerns to foreign policy. The speech is delivered from memory.
National/Domestic Extemp (NX/DX)
Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to current events in the United States and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from political matters to economic concerns to U.S. foreign policy. The speech is delivered from memory.
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Impromptu (IMP)
Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have two minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline and deliver a five minute speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be light-hearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.
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