Gilbert Water Tower Speech Tournament
2025 — Gilbert, AZ/US
MS: Impromptu
Event Description:
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PLEASE PICK UP TOPICS AT JUDGE INFO TABLE
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Event Timing
7 minutes to Write AND DELIVER Speech
+30 sec grace period
If student goes 7:31, they may not be ranked first in round
No minimum time, and they may use their time HOWEVER they like.
---Preference should be given to students presenting WITHOUT a notecard, but a single-sided 3.5" notecard may be used --
Judging/Scoring
Process
- Student given 3 prompts; they pick 1
- Time starts after they are given/record their prompt
- They may use a notecard to plan
As Judge: when they’re planning, give VERBAL time signals every 30 secs (30 secs used, 1 min used, etc). When they start talking, give HAND SIGNALS from 5 down (5 mins left to talk, 4 mins left, etc. Do this countdown in relation to the 7 min mark.)
Points should be awarded for:
- Should have a thesis with points in order
- *Connections to the prompt* - on topic, interesting, thought out and explained well
- Connections should be explained thoroughly so that you don’t have to know anything about it to understand its connection
- Some type of intro/conclusion to bring the point/topic home
- Good dynamics, tone, speed, etc.
First place gets MOST speaker points, second place gets second most, etc.