Public Speaking

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.1       INTRODUCTION

1.1         Through public speaking competitions, it is hoped that awareness is created among pupils or students on the importance of the English language.

1.2         Public speaking is an essential part of most jobs and at some point, all of us will have to give a speech in public to inform, to persuade or to inspire others.

2.0       AIM

2.1       To encourage the development of oral communication skills among pupils or students

            2.2       To promote the use of the English language

            2.3       To promote better understanding amongst young people

3.0       ELIGIBILITY

3.1         This competition is open to all students from Form 1 to Form 5 only.

4.0       PRIZES      

    

4.1       Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winners. 

4.2      Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants.

5.0       COMPETITION RULES

5.1       The competition is divided into two sections, as follows:

Section 1      :           Prepared Speech                 -           any topic

Section 2      :           Impromptu Speech

5.2       For Section 1 (Prepared Speech), contestants are to observe the following rules:

5.2.1   Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a topic of their choice for 6 minutes.

5.2.2   A warning bell will be sounded at the 5^th minute and a final bell at the 6^th minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

5.3       For Section 2 (Impromptu Speech), contestants are to observe the following rules:

5.3.1   Contestants are given a topic four minutes before they are due to present the speech.

5.3.2   All contestants speak on the same topic.

5.3.3   The time allocated for the impromptu speech is three minutes.

5.3.4   A warning bell will be sounded at the 2^nd minute and a final bell at the 3^rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

5.4       The topic for the Impromptu Speech will be prepared and provided by the organiser

6.0       ADJUDICATION

6.1       A panel of at least 3 or 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. The competition at the national level will be judged by a panel of 5 judges, appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

6.2       Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet.

6.3       Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote.

6.4       The decision of the judges is final.

            6.5       Individual marks will not be disclosed.

6.6       The judging criteria for both the Prepared Speech and the Impromptu Speech are on two aspects as follows:

6.6.1   Subject Matter

6.6.1.1            Is the subject matter of the speech suitable and substantial?

6.6.1.2            Is the speech original and intelligent in its exploration of the subject?

6.6.1.3            Does the speaker develop the argument and the line of thought logically and effectively?

6.6.1.4            Is there a satisfactory conclusion which lends a sense of finality to the speech?

6.6.1.5            Does the speech carry a worthwhile and convincing message?

6.6.2   Use of Language

6.6.2.1            Is the message or point of view conveyed in clear, correct, comprehensible and appropriate language?

6.6.2.2            Are tone, pace, pauses and projection effective?

6.6.2.3            Does the speaker avoid distractions?

6.6.2.4            Is the speaker’s style confident, fluent and natural?

6.6.2.5            Does the speaker:

.. use ineffectual repetitions e.g. “Ladies and Gentlemen”?

.. use pompous and condescending language?

.. overdramatize?

.. make awkward pauses?

.. over depend on notes, reading, shuffling palm cards?

.. use inappropriate quotations?

           

.. make jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?

6.6.3   Additional judging criteria for the Impromptu Speech include the following:

6.6.3.1      Does the speaker demonstrate the ability to think clearly and creatively?

6.6.3.2      Does the speaker express his views with conviction and / or humour?

6.6.3.3      Are the speaker’s remarks accurate, relevant, interesting and lucid?

6.6.3.4      Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and fluent speech?

6.6.3.5      Does the speaker’s impromptu speech vary greatly from the prepared speech?