NEK League Forensics

2021 — Online, KS/US

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Extemporaneous Speaking

Event Description:

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH

Section 1. The extemporaneous speech is a spontaneous, original oral expression of ideas on a given subject about which the speaker has had previous knowledge, preparation and planning. The speech is never memorized.

Topics:

The general subject for extemporaneous speech shall be "Current Affairs." Topics shall cover both domestic and foreign affairs. Specifically, U.S. domestic and U.S. foreign policy (domestic affairs), and domestic affairs of foreign countries and the foreign affairs of all countries, including the United States (foreign affairs). The topics shall be worded in question form and be selected from Time, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek. Topics shall be selected from issues published between December 1 and April 1 of the current school year.

a. The topics shall be used in regional and state speech and drama festivals and shall be supplied by the KSHSAA.

b. The topics shall be used in state speech championships and shall be supplied by the KSHSAA.

c. At state speech championships and regional and state speech and drama festivals, there shall be two topic divisions: Domestic and Foreign. Students may draw from either division.

Sec. 2. Drawing: Each participant shall draw three topics, choose one and return the other two. The other participants shall draw in like manner, in the order of speaking, at intervals of ten minutes. A participant drawing a topic on which she/he has spoken previously in the

tournament shall return it and draw again.

Sec. 3. Preparation: As soon as a topic is chosen, the participant shall withdraw and prepare a speech without consultation and without references to prepared notes. Students may consult originals or photocopies of published books, magazines, newspapers, journals, articles or unannotated indices.

No other material shall be allowed in the extemporaneous prep room. Extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs and outlines shall be barred from the extemporaneous prep room. Underlining or highlighting will be allowed if done in only one color on each article or copy. No electrical retrieval device may be used. There shall be a full 30 minutes of preparation time for each student. Students are not allowed

to consult other individuals and shall remain in the extemporaneous preparation room the full 30 minutes.

Sec. 4. Notes: During the speech, brief notes may be used but they must on a single card no larger than a 4x6 note card. The judge is expected to enforce this rule. The ethics committee shall decide on the penalty of disqualification for the use of more copious notes.

Sec. 5. Time: The extemporaneous speech shall be no longer than seven (7) minutes.

TIME PENALTIES

1. Performances in all individual events shall be within set time limits for each event.

2. If an official timekeeper is present, the following shall occur:

a. Time shall be visible to the performer(s). (Time cards or similar procedures may be used.)

b. After the “STOP card goes up, there shall be a 15-second grace period. Upon completion of the additional 15 seconds, the time keeper shall stand and keep timing until the performer(s) is finished.

c. Any performance in excess of the 15-second grace period shall not receive the First Division rating or the “T" ranking in the round.

3. If no official timekeeper is present, no penalty shall be enforced. THE JUDGE SHALL NOT SERVE AS OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER