Mount St Mary Academy Forensics Festival
2025 — Little Rock, AR/US
HS Impromptu
Event Description:
CRITERIA: (If a rule is broken, judge should lower the speaker one ranking.)
Impromptu Speaking (ISP) is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. The speech is given from memory and utilizes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
*Judge calls contestant to choose a number associated with a group of 3 topics. Contestant chooses topic. That group of topics is now eliminated from being chosen by other contestants. Time begins. Contestant has 7 minutes (30 second grace) to prepare and deliver speech. When contestant is ready to speak, they go to front of room and begin their speech. TIME NEVER STOPS UNTIL CONTESTANT FINISHES SPEAKING!
*Speaker is given a TOTAL of 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period to PREPARE and DELIVER their speech.
*Prep time begins once a student tells judge what topic they choose.
*Minute by minute time signals must be given to contestant. Verbally until the speech begins, then visual.
*The speech is to be delivered from memory. Scripts may not be used; use of scripts is against NSDA-event rules adopted by ACTAA per the Qualifying Document.
* Note: It is the expectation that performances are the artistic creation of the performer(s). It is plagiarism to copy a performance in detail from a video online. If there is suspicion of plagiarism, please be prepared to cite the source that was copied and consult with the tournament director. The tournament director will then consult with the coach of theperformer(s) concerning consequences, which may result in their disqualification from the tournament.
COMMENTS:
Introduction: Did it capture your attention?Did it establish background information?
Organization: Were the points clear and concise?Did it follow a logical order? Was the language clear and concise?
Topic Selection: Was it timely and worthwhile?Did the speaker understand the issues the topic deals with? Did the speaker address the topic?
Conclusion: Did the speaker conclude the speech effectively? Were all points revisited and summed up?
Overall Impression: Did you feel that the speech persuadedyou to think or do something differently? Did the speech inform you over the chosen topic?