Greenhorn NOVICE Invitational

2024 — San Bernardino, CA/US

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Novice Impromptu

Event Description:

Pattern A

Impromptu (IMP) Rules: If a rule is violated, check the violation box on the ballot, but rank the contestant as you would without the violation. Any penalty will be assessed by tournament officials.

PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL TOPICS TO ANY CONTESTANT UNTIL IT IS THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.

A. No notes are allowed during the presentation of the speech.

B. The contestant should remain in the room until all speakers in the panel have spoken (unless double entered).

C. The performance must begin and end from the center stage area. Contestants must remain in the staging area throughout the performance.

D. No more than two minutes shall be allowed to the speaker prior to the speech. Timing begins the moment the selection of the topic has been made. (Please allow the contestant a few moments to compose themselves before beginning the speech.)

E. The speech shall be no longer than 5 minutes. There is no minimum time. Exceeding the time limit by more than 30 seconds (grace period) is a violation.

Guidelines for Judging: These are guidelines only, not rules; they should be used only when appropriate to the speech. Keep in mind that there is no requirement that a contestant must use a particular style of delivery. Please use the following to help you evaluate each contestant and rank the round.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this event is to demonstrate the contestant's ability with limited preparation time to compose and deliver coherent and focused oral essays. Some contestants will pre-write "canned" speeches which may contain copious information and be delivered with few flaws, but have weak connections to the selected topic. This violates the spirit of the event, but not the rules, and should be considered in evaluating the speakers.

Composition: Did the contestant present an organized speech? Did the contestant clearly and effectively discuss, analyze and evaluate the selected topic? Was the speech logically relevant to the topic?

Delivery: Was the speaker poised, sincere and comfortable in delivery? Did the speaker use effective oral presentation skills (volume, diction, speed of delivery)? Did the speaker use effective body language (gestures, facial expression, eye contact)? Did the speech exemplify the highest standards of language usage and vocabulary? Did the speaker avoid slang, poor grammar, and mispronunciations?

TIME SIGNALS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. THE CONTESTANTS MAY TIME THEMSELVES USING STOPWATCHES OR THEIR PHONES. PLEASE CLARIFY WITH THE SPEAKERS THAT PHONES MUST BE IN AIRPLANE MODE AND THAT CHSSA ENCOURAGES THEM TO SET THEIR TIMER ON A TABLE/DESK RATHER THAN IT BEING IN HIS/HER HAND.

You, as the judge, however are still the official timer for the round. You must keep time and note it on the ballot.

IF THE contestant GOES OVER 5 MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS, MARK A VIOLATION AND ENTER THE ACTUAL TIME IN MINUTES AND SECONDS.