Gilbert Water Tower Speech Tournament

2025 — Gilbert, AZ/US

I/US Extemp Speaking

Abbreviation EXT
Format Speech
Entry Fee $7.00
Entry 1 competitors per entry

Event Description:

Event Timing
Topic given 30 mins before the round

7 mins to DELIVER a Speech
+30 sec grace period
If student goes 7:31, they may not be ranked first in round
Authoritative evidence suggested but NOT REQUIRED
MLA citations REQUIRED (Last name /title, page number) if citing things

---preference given to students WITHOUT notes, but a single-sided 3.5" notecard allowed---
No minimum time
STUDENTS IN ONE AT A TIME - once they speak, they can stay and watch but not until AFTER they go.

Judging/Scoring

Points should be awarded for:

  • Focused on the US or International perspectives and related policies

  • Intro/Conclusion of topic

  • Thesis, with points in order

  • Argument/position is clear and reasons presented make sense are are laid out well

  • Citations in MLA, if present (good speeches will have citations)

  • Prompt answered fully, with reasons AND analysis to support thesis/reasons

First place gets MOST speaker points, second place gets second most, etc. No ties.