Duquesne University Invitational
2026 — Pittsburgh, PA/US
Extemporaneous Speaking
Event Description:
The maximum time limit is seven minutes, with a grace period of 30 seconds. If a student is more than 30 seconds overtime, the student must not be ranked first in the round. Excessive time violations may be penalized more harshly. There is no minimum time requirement.
Up to 50 words of notes may be used, but excessive reference to notes should be part of a judge’s consideration when ranking students. A judge reserves the right to check a contestant’s note card and determine if more than 50 words were used.
Students may not move throughout the audience as part of their presentations.
The student must bring the topic slip drawn for that round, to the judge, or a copy of the topic written by the prep room judge. Substituting a different topic for the topic drawn is not permitted.
Plagiarism or fabrication of evidence is prohibited.