Preparing for the Speech Competition GAD Fall Workshop 4 September 2015

Preparing for thePreparing for theSpeech CompetitionSpeech Competition

GAD Fall WorkshopGAD Fall Workshop4 September 20154 September 2015

BLACK EAGLESBLACK EAGLESWVAD CLASS OF WVAD CLASS OF ’’90!90!

This is YOUR This is YOUR Competition!Competition!

• This is the portion of the academic decathlon This is the portion of the academic decathlon competition over which YOU have the most competition over which YOU have the most control!control!

• Choosing your prepared speech topic early is Choosing your prepared speech topic early is of benefit to you and your score.of benefit to you and your score.

• Imagine if you have a topic picked out by the Imagine if you have a topic picked out by the end of this month and your speech written by end of this month and your speech written by the end of October…the end of October…

• If you practice it everyday between November If you practice it everyday between November 11stst and February 25 and February 25thth, that’s a possible , that’s a possible 117 117 times times you’ve given your speech!!you’ve given your speech!!

Flow of the Speech Flow of the Speech EventEvent

• Enter the room. Judge and Competitor introductions.Enter the room. Judge and Competitor introductions.

• Head judge will read the prepared speech Head judge will read the prepared speech instructions.instructions.

• Deliver your Prepared Speech = 3.5 to 4 minutesDeliver your Prepared Speech = 3.5 to 4 minutes

• Head judge will read the impromptu speech Head judge will read the impromptu speech instructions and give you the impromptu speech instructions and give you the impromptu speech topics.topics.

• You will have one minute to select the topic and You will have one minute to select the topic and prepare your impromptu speech.prepare your impromptu speech.

• Deliver your Impromptu Speech = 1.5 to 2 minutesDeliver your Impromptu Speech = 1.5 to 2 minutes

• You’re all finished and may exit the room!You’re all finished and may exit the room!

How Your PreparedHow Your PreparedSpeech is JudgedSpeech is Judged

• Speech DevelopmentSpeech Development

• EffectivenessEffectiveness

• CorrectnessCorrectness

• AppropriatenessAppropriateness

• Speech ValueSpeech Value

• VoiceVoice

• Non-VerbalNon-Verbal

Prepared SpeechPrepared SpeechSpeech DevelopmentSpeech Development

The Scantron says:The Scantron says:

• OrganizationOrganization

• BodyBody

• Opening/ClosingOpening/Closing

Judges are looking for:Judges are looking for:

• An opening that gives clues as to where the speech is An opening that gives clues as to where the speech is goinggoing

• A thoroughly-developed speech bodyA thoroughly-developed speech body

• A memorable conclusionA memorable conclusion

Prepared Speech Prepared Speech EffectivenessEffectiveness


• Achievement of PurposeAchievement of Purpose

• InterestInterest

• ReceptionReception


• Purpose. They want to see that your speech is Purpose. They want to see that your speech is clearly set and doesn’t ramble.clearly set and doesn’t ramble.

• They want to be interested in what you have to They want to be interested in what you have to say.say.

Prepared Speech Prepared Speech CorrectnessCorrectness


• GrammarGrammar

• PronunciationPronunciation

• Word SelectionWord Selection


• How you speak.How you speak.

• Are you using slang vs. formal English? Are Are you using slang vs. formal English? Are you using words with their proper definitions?you using words with their proper definitions?

Prepared Speech Prepared Speech AppropriatenessAppropriateness


• Word selection and style appropriate to the Word selection and style appropriate to the audienceaudience


• Do you repeat one word often rather than Do you repeat one word often rather than using meaningful synonyms?using meaningful synonyms?

• Is your language and word choice precise?Is your language and word choice precise?

• Remember: profanity is never appropriateRemember: profanity is never appropriate

Prepared SpeechPrepared SpeechSpeech ValueSpeech Value


• IdeasIdeas

• LogicLogic

• OriginalityOriginality


• Does your speech have lots of original, fresh Does your speech have lots of original, fresh ideas?ideas?

• Does your speech look at the topic in a Does your speech look at the topic in a different or creative way?different or creative way?

Prepared SpeechPrepared SpeechVoiceVoice


• FlexibilityFlexibility

• VolumeVolume

• VarietyVariety


• They don’t have to strain to hear you.They don’t have to strain to hear you.

• They can detect enthusiasm in your voice.They can detect enthusiasm in your voice.

• They know the speech is moving from one section to They know the speech is moving from one section to another based on your voice inflection.another based on your voice inflection.

Prepared SpeechPrepared SpeechNon-VerbalNon-Verbal


• AppearanceAppearance

• MovementMovement

• AssuranceAssurance


• A competitor who is well-groomed and well-dressed.A competitor who is well-groomed and well-dressed.

• A competitor whose gestures are natural and appropriate, A competitor whose gestures are natural and appropriate, not contrived.not contrived.

• A competitor who can speak with good eye contact.A competitor who can speak with good eye contact.

Prepared SpeechPrepared SpeechRulesRules

• The topic is open and YOU select it. (Pssst! Your coach still The topic is open and YOU select it. (Pssst! Your coach still has to approve the topic!)has to approve the topic!)

• Your speech must be an original work and cannot have Your speech must be an original work and cannot have been used in a previous GAD or USAD event.been used in a previous GAD or USAD event.

• NO PROFANITY, DANG IT!NO PROFANITY, DANG IT!

• Your speech has to be given from a standing position Your speech has to be given from a standing position without a lectern.without a lectern.

• It must be 3.5 to 4 minutes in length.It must be 3.5 to 4 minutes in length.

• You can use note cards but you canYou can use note cards but you can’’t read the speech.t read the speech.

• You can gesture but you can’t use props.You can gesture but you can’t use props.

How Your Impromptu How Your Impromptu Speech is JudgedSpeech is Judged

• ContentContent

• DeliveryDelivery

• Overall EffectivenessOverall Effectiveness

Impromptu SpeechImpromptu SpeechContentContent


• OriginalityOriginality

• IdeasIdeas

• OrganizationOrganization


• Definite opening statement, developed speech body, and Definite opening statement, developed speech body, and conclusion statement.conclusion statement.

• The speech cannot ramble and must have relevant, The speech cannot ramble and must have relevant, important points.important points.

Impromptu SpeechImpromptu SpeechDeliveryDelivery


• Movement/GestureMovement/Gesture

• Body LanguageBody Language

• VoiceVoice


• Everything that’s non-verbal is now being considered.Everything that’s non-verbal is now being considered.

• Are you mumbling? Can they understand you?Are you mumbling? Can they understand you?

• Are your gestures nervous or relaxed?Are your gestures nervous or relaxed?

Impromptu SpeechImpromptu SpeechOverall EffectivenessOverall Effectiveness


• Achievement of PurposeAchievement of Purpose

• Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication

• Non-verbal CommunicationNon-verbal Communication


• Their overall impression of your speech and how you Their overall impression of your speech and how you performed.performed.

• Did you actually manage to make a point and make it Did you actually manage to make a point and make it memorable in such a short period of time?memorable in such a short period of time?

Impromptu SpeechImpromptu SpeechRulesRules

• NO PROFANITY, DANG IT!NO PROFANITY, DANG IT!

• Your speech has to be given from a standing Your speech has to be given from a standing position without a lectern.position without a lectern.

• It must be 1.5 to 2 minutes in length.It must be 1.5 to 2 minutes in length.

• You can use note cards but you can’t read the You can use note cards but you can’t read the speech.speech.

• You can gesture but you can’t use props.You can gesture but you can’t use props.

Note: The note cards must be given to the head Note: The note cards must be given to the head judge before you leave the room.judge before you leave the room.

Speech PenaltiesSpeech Penalties

Timing ViolationTiming Violation

• Both Speeches: minus 10 pointsBoth Speeches: minus 10 points

• Prepared Speech Only: minus 7 pointsPrepared Speech Only: minus 7 points

• Impromptu Speech Only: minus 3 pointsImpromptu Speech Only: minus 3 points

DevelopingDevelopingSpeech DeliverySpeech Delivery

How can you develop your speech How can you develop your speech skills?skills?

• Toastmasters International.Toastmasters International.

• Talk to people around you who give speeches Talk to people around you who give speeches on a regular basis.on a regular basis.

• Watch speeches online.Watch speeches online.

PracticingPracticingSpeech DeliverySpeech Delivery

How can you practice your speech How can you practice your speech skills?skills?

• Give your speech to yourself in a mirror.Give your speech to yourself in a mirror.

• Deliver your speech to EVERYONE.Deliver your speech to EVERYONE.

• Record your speech.Record your speech.

• Don’t forget impromptu!Don’t forget impromptu!

GOOD LUCK!GOOD LUCK!

Good luck in preparing and Good luck in preparing and practicing your speeches and all practicing your speeches and all other aspects of the decathlon other aspects of the decathlon competition!competition!

See you in February!See you in February!

Documents

Preparing for the Speech Competition GAD Fall Workshop 4 September 2015