Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

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Special Occasion Speaking

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category
To develop skills related to adapting oral presentations to specific situational demands.

Definition of the Category
The challenge to the speaker is to make an appropriate presentation that responds to the constraints of theoccasion, including the probable audience. In considering the "appropriateness" of the speaker's workattention will be paid to the purpose the speaker chooses, the position taken, the content, organization andgeneral stylistic tone, and the manner of delivery. It is possible that a speech may pursue more than one ofthe standard general purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining.

Rules

1. The participant must choose one of the annually presented topics to develop and present an appropriateoriginal speech. Situations for 2010-11 are:
   
   1. After Dinner Speech at a Civic Organization
   2. Announcement of a Prototype or Invention
   3. Presentation of a Proposal to a Service Organization
   4. Motivational Speech to Elementary School Students
2. Prior to the presentation, the participant is to briefly announce which of the above situations has beenchosen. This announcement is not considered part of the presentation on which the student will beevaluated.
3. Visual supporting materials may be used, but not worn. Such materials must support, not dominate, thepresentation. This category calls for a speech, not a visual media show.
4. The use of notes or a manuscript is optional, and a speaker stand is permissible. The student will not bepenalized for the use of a manuscript.
5. Maximum time limit: 6 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.

Criteria for Evaluation
1. The extent to which the apparent specific purpose was appropriate to the occasion.
2. The extent to which the content and organization of the speech fulfilled the speaker’s purpose.
3. 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.
4. The extent to which the vocal presentation was clear and appropriate to the chosen occasion, includingsuch items as articulation, pronunciation, volume, rate, pitch and voice quality.
5. The extent to which the physical presence contributed to the clarity and effectiveness of the presentation,including such items as the use of notes or manuscripts, any visual materials, facial expression, eyecontact, gestures and bodily movement.