PREPARING FOR THE SPEECH COMPETITION GAD Fall Workshop

PREPARING FOR THE SPEECH COMPETITION GAD Fall Workshop 2 September 2016

WVA D CLA SS OF ’ 90! Yeah, that’s me. Front row, second from the left. You’re jealous of my hair, aren’t you?

THIS IS YOUR ➤ This is the portion of the COMPETITION! academic decathlon competition over which YOU have the most control! ➤ Choosing your prepared speech topic early is of benefit to you and your score. ➤ Imagine if you have a topic picked out by the end of this month and your speech written by the end of October… ➤ If you practice it once each day between November 1 st and February 24 th, that’s a possible 116 times you’ve given your speech!!

“ As Decathletes, you’ll learn an exciting new theme each year, themes like Russia, World War I, and New Alternatives in Energy: Ingenuity and Innovation. You’ll explore seven subjects connected to that theme, from art and science to math and economics. You’ll learn to move an audience not just with facts and rhetoric, but with confidence. And you’ll never do any of this alone. You’ll be working with a team—a team composed of students with a wide range of grades but a single shared goal. -Dr. Les Martisko, USAD President

BEFORE THE COMPETITION BEGINS ➤ Your name tag has your name and number The first number is 01 to 25 and is your team number. The second number is 01 to 09 and is your number within the team. ➤ You will first be seated in the holding area in the Berkmar common room. ➤ Then, you will be taken to the speech holding area as a group. ➤ You will then be seated outside your judging room. ➤ Then, you will give your speech. ➤ After your speech, return to the common room.

FLOW OF THE SPEECH EVENT ➤ Enter the room. Judge and Competitor introductions. ➤ Head judge will read the prepared speech instructions. ➤ Deliver your Prepared Speech = 3. 5 to 4 minutes ➤ Head judge will read the impromptu speech instructions and give you the impromptu speech topics. ➤ You will have one minute to select the topic and prepare your impromptu speech. ➤ Deliver your Impromptu Speech = 1. 5 to 2 minutes ➤ You’re all finished and may exit the room!

HOW YOUR PREPARED SPEECH IS JUDGED ➤ Speech Development ➤ Effectiveness ➤ Correctness ➤ Appropriateness ➤ Speech Value ➤ Voice ➤ Non-Verbal

PREPARED SPEECH DEVELOPMENT The Scantron says: ➤ Organization ➤ Body ➤ Opening/Closing Judges are looking for: ➤ An opening that gives clues as to where the speech is going ➤ A thoroughly-developed speech body ➤ A memorable conclusion

PREPARED SPEECH EFFECTIVENESS The Scantron says: ➤ Achievement of Purpose ➤ Interest ➤ Reception Judges are looking for: ➤ Purpose. They want to see that your speech is clearly set and doesn’t ramble. ➤ They want to be interested in what you have to say.

PREPARED SPEECH CORRECTNESS The Scantron says: ➤ Grammar ➤ Pronunciation ➤ Word Selection Judges are looking for: ➤ How you speak. ➤ Are you using slang vs. formal English? Are you using words with their proper definitions?

PREPARED SPEECH APPROPRIATENESS The Scantron says: ➤ Word selection and style appropriate to the audience Judges are looking for: ➤ Do you repeat one word often rather than using meaningful synonyms? ➤ Is your language and word choice precise? ➤ Remember: profanity is never appropriate

PREPARED SPEECH VALUE The Scantron says: ➤ Ideas ➤ Logic ➤ Originality Judges are looking for: ➤ Does your speech have lots of original, fresh ideas? ➤ Does your speech look at the topic in a different or creative way?

PREPARED SPEECH VOICE The Scantron says: ➤ Flexibility ➤ Volume ➤ Variety Judges are looking for: ➤ They don’t have to strain to hear you. ➤ They can detect enthusiasm in your voice. ➤ They know the speech is moving from one section to another based on your voice inflection.

PREPARED SPEECH NON-VERBAL The Scantron says: ➤ Appearance ➤ Movement ➤ Assurance Judges are looking for: ➤ A competitor who is well-groomed and well-dressed. ➤ A competitor whose gestures are natural and appropriate, not contrived. ➤ A competitor who can speak with good eye contact.

PREPARED SPEECH RULES ➤ The topic is open and YOU select it. (Pssst! Your coach still has to approve the topic!) ➤ Your speech must be an original work and cannot have been used in a previous GAD or USAD event. ➤ NO PROFANITY, DANG IT! ➤ Your speech has to be given from a standing position without a lectern. ➤ It must be 3. 5 to 4 minutes in length. ➤ You can use note cards but you can’t read the speech. ➤ You can gesture but you can’t use props.

HOW YOUR IMPROMPTU SPEECH IS JUDGED ➤ Content ➤ Delivery ➤ Overall Effectiveness

IMPROMPTU SPEECH CONTENT The Scantron says: ➤ Originality ➤ Ideas ➤ Organization Judges are looking for: ➤ Definite opening statement, developed speech body, and conclusion statement. ➤ The speech cannot ramble and must have relevant, important points.

IMPROMPTU SPEECH DELIVERY The Scantron says: ➤ Movement/Gesture ➤ Body Language ➤ Voice Judges are looking for: ➤ Everything that’s non-verbal is now being considered. ➤ Are you mumbling? Can they understand you? ➤ Are your gestures nervous or relaxed?

IMPROMPTU SPEECH OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS The Scantron says: ➤ Achievement of Purpose ➤ Verbal Communication ➤ Non-verbal Communication Judges are looking for: ➤ Their overall impression of your speech and how you performed. ➤ Did you actually manage to make a point and make it memorable in such a short period of time?

IMPROMPTU SPEECH RULES ➤ NO PROFANITY, DANG IT! ➤ Your speech has to be given from a standing position without a lectern. ➤ It must be 1. 5 to 2 minutes in length. ➤ You can use note cards but you can’t read the speech. ➤ You can gesture but you can’t use props. Remember: The note cards must be given to the head judge before you leave the room.

SPEECH PENALTIES Timing Violation ➤ Both Speeches: minus 10 points ➤ Prepared Speech Only: minus 7 points ➤ Impromptu Speech Only: minus 3 points

PING SPEECH DELIVER Y How can you develop your speech skills? ➤ Toastmasters International. ➤ Talk to people around you who give speeches on a regular basis. ➤ Watch speeches online.

CING SPEECH DELIVE RY How can you practice your speech skills? ➤ ➤ Give your speech to yourself in a mirror. Deliver your speech to EVERYONE. Record your speech. Don’t forget impromptu!

GOOD LUCK! Have fun preparing and practicing your speeches and all other aspects of the decathlon competition! Can’t wait to see you all in February!