Othello
2025 — Othello, WA/US
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking
Event Description:
The extemporaneous speech should not be regarded as a memory test of the material contained in any one source article, but rather as an original synthesis by the speaker of the current fact and opinion on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources. The contestant, therefore, should be held accountable for strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic drawn, and discounted severely for shifting to some other phase of the topic on which he/she might prefer to speak. The information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic. The material should be organized according to some logical plan that allows the speaker to produce a complete speech within the time allowed. Delivery should be free from marked defects in the mechanics of speech - poise, quality and use of voice, enunciation, bodily expressiveness, and fluency - and should be effective in enlisting and holding the interest of the audience.
The best extemporaneous speech combines clear thinking, good speaking, and interesting presentation to establish a definite thought with respect to the subject chosen for the occasion.
Drawing: 15 minutes before the contest is to begin, the first speaker will draw. The other contestants draw in the order of speaking at intervals of seven minutes.
Preparation: The contestant will be given a choice of selections. As soon as the topic is chosen, the contestant shall withdraw and prepare the speech without consultation and without reference to prepared notes.
Computers and other electronic storage and retrieval devices may be used in Extemporaneous Speaking preparation per current guidelines for Use of Internet Enabled Devices. The computer must be available for inspection by the prep room proctor at all times.
Time: The time limit in both Extemporaneous Speaking events is seven 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. Judges MUST give time signals.
CURRENT GUIDELINES for Use of Internet-Enabled Devices in Extemporaneous Speaking
1. Preparation: As soon as a question is chosen, the contestant will prepare a speech without consultation and without references to prepared notes. Students may consult published books, magazines, newspapers and journals or articles, including internet enabled devices either used in the draw or those materials published from internet sources, provided:
1.1. They are originals or copies of whole pages.
1.2. Provided those originals or copies are uncut.
1.3. There is no written material on that original or copy other than citation information.
1.4. Topical index without annotation may be present.
1.5. Files stored either on a computer or electronic device hard drive or cloud storage system. All files in this format must meet the same guidelines as printed sources.
1.6. Active research from the internet during the round that meets the established criteria found in the “Guidelines for Use of Internet Enabled Devices.”
2. No other material will be allowed in the Extemp prep room other than stated above. Extemp speeches, handbooks, briefs and outlines, including those stored on cloud storage systems or published on websites created for that purpose, are prohibited from the Extemp prep room. Students may not use the internet to gain help from coaches, other students, or any person, such that it would prevent the speech from being the original work of the competitor. Students are prohibited from accessing outlines and speeches that have been written prior to their draw time. Underlining or highlighting in Extemp will be allowed if done in only one color on each article or copy. Electronic device use must comply with the “Guidelines for Use of Internet-Enabled Devices in Debate Events.” Printed copies of information from online computer services may be used. Electronically retrieved evidence used in Extemp competition must conform to the same citation standards as evidence used in debate events as described in the Unified Manual.
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Extemporaneous Speaking competitors accept full responsibility for the safety and security of their electronic retrieval devices throughout the entire course of the tournament. Tournament does not assume any liability for the computers. Students, parents, and coaches should be aware that the students are bringing and using the computers at their own risk. The tournament is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken computers. Devices should be muted in the prep room. Contestants should not play games or engage in other distracting activities on their electronic devices in the prep room. Tournament officials may ask a student to power-off the device if it becomes distracting.
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Students from the same school may share computers during preparation. However, communication among contestants during preparation time is strictly prohibited. Contestants with laptops are responsible for providing sufficient battery power.
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Contestants may not use the internet to gain help from coaches, other students, or any person, such that it would prevent the speech from being the original work of the competitor. Students are prohibited from accessing outlines and speeches that have been written prior to their draw time. Underlining or highlighting in Extemp will be allowed if done in only one color on each article or copy.