Carolina Kickoff
2020 — NSDA Campus, SC/US
Extemp
Event Description:
Extemporaneous Speaking, Varsity and Novice
NFL Description: A contestant will be given three questions on a current events topic, will select one, then has 30 minutes to prepare an answer to the question. The contestant uses a set of files that he or she has built as a resource for answering the question. Only published materials may be used as resources (books, magazines, newspaper, and online resources). Because our tournament is being held so early in the competition season, we will allow both varsity and novice students the option to use a notecard with no more than fifty words during the extemp speech. Judges should not penalize students for using the card.
From the National Ballot: The extemp speech should not be regarded as a memory test of the material contained in any one magazine article, but rather as an original synthesis by the speaker of the current fact and opinion on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources.
The contestant therefore should be held accountable for strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic drawn and discounted severely for shifting to some other phase of the topic on which he or she might prefer to speak. The information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic.
The material should be organized according to some logical plan to produce a complete speech within the time allowed. Delivery should be free from marked defects in the mechanics of speech - poise, quality and use of voice, enunciation, fluency, bodily expressiveness - and should be effective in enlisting and holding the interest of the audience.
The best extemporaneous speech combines clear thinking, good speaking, and interesting presentation to establish a definite thought with respect to the subject chosen.
Judges should not require contestants speaking on a controversial subject to take a personal stand on that issue. They may do so, or they may elect to present both sides of the controversy as currently set forth in the public press.
Extemp contestants may use hard copy files and/or laptops for extemp prep.
Students will prepare in a designated online prep room. They must have cameras on during prep time and may not communicate with anyone other than the prep room moderator.
Time Limit: 7 minutes, with a 30 second grace period. (Presentations that exceed the grace period may not receive first place in the round. Any other penalty is at the judge’s discretion.)