2nd Kansas City Missouri Invitational TOC and NIETOC Qualifier
2023 — NSDA Campus, MO/US
Informative
Event Description:
Informative Speaking
1. Purpose: An informative speech is an original speech designed to explain, define, describe, or illustrate a particular
subject. The general purpose of the speech is for the audience to gain understanding and/or knowledge of a topic.
Any other purpose such as to entertain or to convince shall be secondary. The use of audio/visual aids is optional.
(See # 4 on Aids.)
2. Contest: This contest comprises only memorized speeches composed by the contestants and not used by them
during a previous contest season.
3. Subject: Effective speeches provide new information or perspectives on a topic, including those that are widely
known. The responsibility for choosing a worthwhile topic rests with the contestant. A fabricated topic may not be
used. Any non-factual reference, including a personal reference, must be so identified.
4. Aids: Audio/visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. If used, the audio/visual
aids should enhance or support the message rather than distract from the overall effectiveness of the presentation.
During the presentation, no electronic equipment is permitted. Electronic equipment is defined as any object
requiring an electrical cord, battery, or solar power to operate it (projectors, cell phones, radios, iPads, computers,
etc.). The use of live animals or any additional people as visual aids is not allowed during the speech. Items of dress
put on and/or removed for illustration during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not
be part of the contestant’s presentation. Visual aids may not violate policies as dictated by local and state law
(weapons, drugs, etc.) Contestants may not distribute items to the judges or audience before, during, or after the
round. This includes but is not limited to food, objects, handouts, flyers, and promotional merchandise. The host
school is not responsible for providing any facilities, equipment, including tables, chairs, or easels, or assistance in a
contestant’s use of visual aids. In order to facilitate the video recording of the final round at the National
Tournament, one table will be provided for use by the contestants. This provision is only for the final round.
Expedient set up and take down of aids is expected. If a visual aid displays published pictorial material, the source
must be included in the work-cited page but does not need to be cited orally.
5. Length: The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30-second “grace period.” If there are multiple judges in the round, all
must agree that the student has gone beyond the grace period. Should a student go beyond the grace period, the
student may not be ranked 1st. There is no other prescribed penalty for going over the grace period. The ranking is
up to each individual judge’s discretion. Judges who choose to time are to use accurate (stopwatch function) timing
devices. No minimum time is mandated.
6. Quotation: Not more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation and such quotations must be identified
orally and in a printed copy of the speech supplied prior to registration.
7. Script: Manuscripts must be available at all district tournament contests in the event of a protest. However, it shall
be the choice of each individual District Committee whether or not to require these materials be submitted prior to
the district contest. The script must identify the quoted materials, state the number of quoted words, include a
work-cited page in APA or MLA format, and both the speaker and the coach must attest by signature that the
speech is the original work of the contestant. At the National Tournament, all quarterfinalists in OO are required to
turn in a printed, typed copy of their manuscript, including a works cited page, to the ombudsperson before noon
on the third day of competition.
8. Re-Use: A student may not use an informative speech the student used in district or national competition in any
previous contest year.