Collierville Holiday Classic

2026 — Collierville, TN/US

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Middle School Extemporaneous Speaking

Event Description:

Extemporaneous Speaking

Judging Rules and Guidelines

In this event, the student demonstrates his knowledge of a wide range of topics, mostly dealing with current

events, and the ability to speak without a prepared speech or notes.

A. Contest Requirements

The maximum time limit for speaking is seven (7) minutes. No notes are

allowed during the presentation.

1. The Topics

(a) There will be a pool of at least fifteen (15) current event questions. Each round

will use a different pool of at least fifteen (15) questions.

(b) The topics must be in the form of a question. The topics will be taken from

standard periodicals (including but not limited to Time, Newsweek, US

News and World Report) during the current school year.

(c) After each round all topics used, as well as those rejected, are to be destroyed,

so that no slips will be available for improper use. A new set of topics

is to be used for the next round.

2. The Draw (conducted by tournament officials not the judge)

Thirty minutes before the contest is to begin, the first speaker will draw three (3)

topics, and within one minute choose one topic, and return the other two topics.

The other contestants will draw in like manner, in the order of speaking, at

intervals of eight (8) minutes. The contestant must keep his topic slip and give

it to the judge.

3. Preparation

(a) The contestant will withdraw and prepare a speech without consultation and

without reference to prepared notes.

(b) Students may have published books, magazines, newspapers, journals, internet

news services or articles from these sources (original or photocopied in their

entirety). A topical index without annotation may be present. No other

materials will be allowed in the prep room. Prepared extemp speeches, out

lines, and handbooks are barred from the extemp prep room.

4. The Speech

(a) The maximum time limit for speaking is seven (7) minutes

with a 30 second “grace” period.

For Middle School Only- a single 3x5 notecard can be used during the presentation.

Penalties will be imposed for exceeding the time limit.

During the speech, the speaker will receive hand signals from a

timekeeper.

b. Judging criteria

The contestant will be evaluated on his/her ability to organize

and answer the question. He/she will also be judged on

general knowledge of the topic area and on use of this

knowledge to directly answer the question. Utilization of

speaking time should also be considered. Communication skills

-- a good, clear voice, natural gestures and movement, etc. – are also very important.