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Alaska
Academic Decathlon Coaches'
Handbook
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IMPORTANT
NOTICE: We will be using new ScanTron forms for Speech and Interview at
State this year. All penalties will be recorded on the ScanTron Form by
the judges. (Copies
of the new ScanTron forms are located in the appendix)
SPEECH
- Total Points Possible - 1000 (Combined Score of Prepared and Impromptu
Speeches)
The
speech event involves students in the delivery of both an individually
prepared speech and an impromptu speech.
Objective:
To assess the Decathlete’s ability to present a speech prepared in
advance in accordance with specific written criteria and to assess the
Decathlete’s ability to present an impromptu speech.
Rules
and Procedures of the Contest
At
a pre-scheduled time during the competition, all students will report to a
room in which they will remain for approximately 8 minutes. Upon arrival
in the room, the student should tell the judges their name and ID
number and give them adequate time to check this information on the
evaluation forms. A timekeeper will signal the students when they should
begin their speech. The student will present their 3½-4 minute prepared
speech first before a panel of up to three judges.
The chairperson of the judges will give a brief explanation of the
rules to be followed. They are the following for the prepared speech:
Prepared Speech - Total
Points Possible - 700
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Note
cards may be used in topic outline or bulleted form only.
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Speech
may NOT be read.
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Speech
must be delivered from standing position with no lectern.
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Speech
must be the original work of the student from the current Decathlon
season.
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No
props may be used.
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The
contestant must NOT reveal
anything that might be interpreted as identifying information
regarding school, state, region, or location in ANY
manner, either in informal conversation, speech content, apparel or
insignia of ANY kind.
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Speech
must be neither less than 3½ minutes nor more than 4 minutes.
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To
assist the student in compliance with the time limitation rule the
following timing procedure will be followed:
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The
timer will say “Begin”
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After
three minutes, the timer will show a card with a “1”. That will be
the amount of time remaining.
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When
the student has spoken for another 30 seconds, the timekeeper will
hold up a card indicating “½”. At this point the student has
reached the minimum time limit of their speech. If the student
stops speaking before this minimum time a penalty will be assessed.
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When
the student has spoken for four minutes the timekeeper will hold up a
0 card, but will not say, “Stop”. If a
student continues to speak after the “0” card a penalty will be
assessed.
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Impromptu
Speech - Total Points Possible - 300
The
judging chairperson will hand the student a card containing three topics.
Upon receipt of topics, each student will be given one-minute preparation
time before proceeding with the selected topic. Presentation of a 1½ to 2-minute impromptu speech on one of these topics will be given following
these rules:
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Student
may NOT leave the room during preparation time.
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Blank
note cards provided by the judges may be used. Notes prepared prior to
event are NOT allowed.
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Speech
must be neither less than 1½ minutes nor more than 2 minutes.
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The
contestant must NOT reveal
anything that might be interpreted as identifying information
regarding school, state, region, or location in ANY
manner, either in informal conversation, speech content, apparel or
insignia of ANY kind.
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Speech
must be delivered standing before the judges.
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The
timing procedure for the Impromptu Speech
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When
the student receives the topic card the timer will say, “Begin”.
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When
one minute has passed, the timekeeper will signal to stop then
immediately signal the student to begin speaking by saying, “Begin”.
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After
one minute, the timer will hold up the “1” card.
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After
1 ½ minutes the timer will hold up the “½” card, and at the end
of 2 minutes the timer will hold up the “0” card.
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The
timer will not say stop at the end of 2 minutes. If the student
continues to speak after “0” a penalty will apply.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Impromptu
Speech topics change each year and new topics are also issued periodically
throughout the contest.
After
completing both speeches, the student will be instructed to wait outside
the door for the judge’s comments. Comments will include one point the
student did very well and one point where the student could improve.
Judges are instructed to keep comments constructive. Any timing or
location violations will be noted on the judge’s comments.
Sample
Judge’s Comment Form for Speech and Interview
JUDGE’S COMMENTS FOR STUDENTS
Thank
you for presenting your speech/giving your interview before us today.
Areas
of exceptional performance:
Areas
where you could improve:
Penalty:
Speech
Penalty Points
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If
a student reveal anything that might be interpreted as identifying
information regarding school, state, region location in ANY
manner, either in informal conversation, speech content, apparel or
insignia of ANY kind during the
prepared speech or the impromptu speech a -10 will be assessed against
their score.
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If
a student exceeds the time limit or does not meet the minimum time
limit on the prepared speech a penalty of -7 will be assessed against
the score. If a student exceeds the time limit or does not meet
the minimum time limit on the impromptu speech a penalty of -3 will be
assessed against the score.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Judges will be instructed not to ask for the name
of the student's school or city or any information that would indicate the
school or school district.
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