1. Preparing for the Speech Competition GAD Fall Workshop 4 September 2015

2. BLACK EAGLES WVAD CLASS OF ’90!

3. This is YOUR Competition! This is the portion of the academic decathlon competition over which YOU have the most control!This is the portion of the academic decathlon competition over which YOU have the most control! Choosing your prepared speech topic early is of benefit to you and your score.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…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 everyday between November 1 st and February 25 th, that’s a possible 117 times you’ve given your speech!!If you practice it everyday between November 1 st and February 25 th, that’s a possible 117 times you’ve given your speech!!

4. Flow of the Speech Event Enter the room. Judge and Competitor introductions.Enter the room. Judge and Competitor introductions. Head judge will read the prepared speech instructions.Head judge will read the prepared speech 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 instructions and give you the impromptu speech topics.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.You will have one minute to select the topic and 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!

5. How Your Prepared Speech is Judged Speech DevelopmentSpeech Development EffectivenessEffectiveness CorrectnessCorrectness AppropriatenessAppropriateness Speech ValueSpeech Value VoiceVoice Non-VerbalNon-Verbal

6. Prepared Speech Speech Development The Scantron says: OrganizationOrganization BodyBody Opening/ClosingOpening/Closing Judges are looking for: An opening that gives clues as to where the speech is goingAn opening that gives clues as to where the speech is going A thoroughly-developed speech bodyA thoroughly-developed speech body A memorable conclusionA memorable conclusion

7. Prepared Speech Effectiveness The Scantron says: Achievement of PurposeAchievement of Purpose InterestInterest ReceptionReception Judges are looking for: Purpose. They want to see that your speech is clearly set and doesn’t ramble.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.They want to be interested in what you have to say.

8. Prepared Speech Correctness The Scantron says: GrammarGrammar PronunciationPronunciation Word SelectionWord Selection Judges are looking for: How you speak.How you speak. Are you using slang vs. formal English? Are you using words with their proper definitions?Are you using slang vs. formal English? Are you using words with their proper definitions?

9. Prepared Speech Appropriateness The Scantron says: Word selection and style appropriate to the audienceWord selection and style appropriate to the audience Judges are looking for: Do you repeat one word often rather than using meaningful synonyms?Do you repeat one word often rather than 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

10. Prepared Speech Speech Value The Scantron says: IdeasIdeas LogicLogic OriginalityOriginality Judges are looking for: Does your speech have lots of original, fresh ideas?Does your speech have lots of original, fresh ideas? Does your speech look at the topic in a different or creative way?Does your speech look at the topic in a different or creative way?

11. Prepared Speech Voice The Scantron says: FlexibilityFlexibility VolumeVolume VarietyVariety Judges are looking for: 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 another based on your voice inflection.They know the speech is moving from one section to another based on your voice inflection.

12. Prepared Speech Non-Verbal The Scantron says: AppearanceAppearance MovementMovement AssuranceAssurance Judges are looking for: 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, not contrived.A competitor whose gestures are natural and appropriate, not contrived. A competitor who can speak with good eye contact.A competitor who can speak with good eye contact.

13. Prepared Speech Rules The topic is open and YOU select it. (Pssst! Your coach still has to approve the topic!)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.Your speech must be an original work and cannot have 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 without a lectern.Your speech has to be given from a standing position 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 can’t read the speech.You can use note cards but you can’t read the speech. You can gesture but you can’t use props.You can gesture but you can’t use props.

14. How Your Impromptu Speech is Judged ContentContent DeliveryDelivery Overall EffectivenessOverall Effectiveness

15. Impromptu Speech Content The Scantron says: OriginalityOriginality IdeasIdeas OrganizationOrganization Judges are looking for: Definite opening statement, developed speech body, and conclusion statement.Definite opening statement, developed speech body, and conclusion statement. The speech cannot ramble and must have relevant, important points.The speech cannot ramble and must have relevant, important points.

16. Impromptu Speech Delivery The Scantron says: Movement/GestureMovement/Gesture Body LanguageBody Language VoiceVoice Judges are looking for: 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?

17. Impromptu Speech Overall Effectiveness The Scantron says: Achievement of PurposeAchievement of Purpose Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication Non-verbal CommunicationNon-verbal Communication Judges are looking for: Their overall impression of your speech and how you performed.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?Did you actually manage to make a point and make it memorable in such a short period of time?

18. Impromptu Speech Rules NO PROFANITY, DANG IT!NO PROFANITY, DANG IT! Your speech has to be given from a standing position without a lectern.Your speech has to be given from a standing 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 speech.You can use note cards but you can’t read the 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 judge before you leave the room.

19. Speech Penalties Timing 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

20. Developing Speech Delivery How can you develop your speech skills? Toastmasters International.Toastmasters International. Talk to people around you who give speeches on a regular basis.Talk to people around you who give speeches on a regular basis. Watch speeches online.Watch speeches online.

21. Practicing Speech Delivery How can you practice your speech 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!

22. GOOD LUCK! Good luck in preparing and practicing your speeches and all other aspects of the decathlon competition! See you in February!