Extemporaneous Speaking

To develop skills in locating and recalling information which can be brought to bear in the construction of a clear and coherent message in a relatively short period of time.

Definition of the Category:

The Extemporaneous Speech should provide a direct response to the question drawn. The challenge to the speaker is to phrase a clear propostion and support it with contentions which are in turn supported with evidence and reasoning. The participant may use resource material from any publication, but questions - supplied by the WHSFA State Office for every level - will be drawn from January- April issues of Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News and World Report.

1. The speech is to be original to the participant and no prepared speeches, outline, notes, parts of speeches such as introductons, conclusions, or other prepared materials are to be brought into the preparation area.
2. One-half hour before speaking, the participant will draw five questions, choose one, and return the remaining four. Identical sets of questions will be used for multiple sections of Extemporaneous Speaking. At all WHSFA festivals, the student must replace any question which he or she has already spoken on in a previous round. The student may not speak on the same question more than once in any festival.
3. Before speaking, the partcipant must provide the adjudicator with the question actually drawn.
4. Visual aides are not permitted.
5. Maximum time limit: 7 minutes. A 30 second grace period is allowed, after which one point will be deducted from that evaluation item dealing with rate.
6. Notes are permitted, but limited to both sides of one 4x6 notecard. The host school shall provide a uniform, identifiable 4x6 notecard.

1. The extent to which a direct and well-defined response to the question chosen was provided.
2. The extent to which the ideas were analyzed and organized (introduction, body, conclusion).
3. The extent to which the main ideas were supported with worthwhile evidence.
4. The extent to which the presentation reflected effective language skills, including such items as us of transitions and clear, vivid, and appropriate word choices.
5. The extent to which delivery techniques were clear and appropriate, including such items as vocal articulation, pronunciation, volume, rate, pitch, and voice quality as well as facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, and bodily movement.