Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

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Extemporaneous Speaking

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category

To develop skills in locating and recalling information that can be brought to bear in the construction of aclear and coherent message in a limited period of time.

Definition of the Category

The extemporaneous speech should provide a direct response to the question drawn. The challenge to thespeaker is to phrase a clear proposition and support it with contentions, which in turn, are supported withevidence and reasoning. Questions will be based on current events.

Rules
1. The speech is to be original with the participant, who may consult published books, magazines,newspapers and journals or articles therein, including printed or copies of information from onlineservices provided: (a) they are originals or copies of the originals; (b) that original articles or copies areintact or uncut; (c) there is no written material on that original or copy other than source attribution anddate; and (d) topical index without annotation may be present. No other material shall be allowed in theprep room, including prepared speeches, handbooks, briefs and outlines. Underlining or highlighting inthe prep room will be allowed. Data storage and retrieval devices are allowed. Please review the specificguidelines for use of electronics in Extemp.
2. One-half hour before speaking, the participant will draw five questions, choose one, and return theremaining four. Identical sets of questions will be used for multiple sections. The student may not speakon the same question more than once in any contest (of more than one round), and must replace any carddrawn that contains a question he/she has already spoken on.
3. Before speaking, the participant must provide the judge with the question card actually drawn.
4. Notes are permitted but limited to both sides of one 4" x 6" card. The tournament shall provide uniform,identifiable 4" x 6" cards. Visual aids are not permitted.
5. Maximum time limit: 7 minutes, with an allowable 15-second grace period. There is no minimum timerequirement. Vocal music, if used, must be incidental and consist of no more than 30 seconds total. Anyentry exceeding the grace period and/or the vocal music time limit may not be ranked first in the round.If all entries in a round exceed either time limit, no first rank shall be given in that round. Contestantsmay use a stopwatch, or have another student give them time signals. Judges are not required to givetime signals.

Criteria for Evaluation
1. The extent to which a direct and well-defined response to the question chosen was provided.
2. The extent to which the ideas were analyzed and organized.
3. The extent to which the main ideas were supported with worthwhile evidence.
4. The extent to which the presentation reflected effective language skills, including such items as use oftransitions and clear, vivid and appropriate word choices. Individual judges may lower the rank due touse of profanity or vulgarity.
5. The extent to which delivery techniques were clear and appropriate, including such items as vocalarticulation, pronunciation, volume, rate, pitch, and voice quality as well as facial expression, eyecontact, gesture, and bodily movement.

WFCA Guidelines for use of Electronic Devices

1.The only power for electronic devices inside the Prep Room is to be frombatteries.

2.No connectivity to the internet or other individuals via electronic device isallowed inside the Extemp Prep Room. This includesinternet, messaging, outside servers, cell phones, etc.

3.Students cannot use electronic devices to prepare speeches. They can be used tosearch and read, but not to write or organize speeches.

4.Students are prohibited from accessing outlines and speeches prepared prior totheir draw time.

5.Any student using an electronic device must be prepared to show prep room ortournament staff what they are accessing at any time. Any student not providingrequested access to tournament officials may be disqualified.

6.Students should be aware that they are subject to extensive monitoring of theiruse of electronic devices.

7.Students cannot access audio, video, or other multi-media files in the preproom.

8.Students cannot use electronic devices from the time they leave the Extemp Prep Room until they have completed their speech.Students may take their electronic devices with them to their assigned speakingroom, or to lunch, but cannot use them outside the Prep Room until after theirspeech is completed. Any student using electronic retrieval devices in thehallways or classrooms prior to their speech may be disqualified.

9.WFCA may put stickers and/or tape on electronic devices to ensure they are notused, or to ensure appropriate owners take their own machines.

10.WFCA does not assume any liability for lost, stolen or damaged electronicdevices. Students, parents and coaches should be aware that the student arebringing and using these devices at their own risk.