Speech Information

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• Students will pick a category from the list below. They will stick with that speech for ALL 4 of the meets. They don’t change it.
• The student researches and writes their own speech OR finds a speech already written. Depending on the category they choose. Some categories require you to write your own, (I.E. Informative, Original Oratory, Great Speeches... ) some require you to find an already-written piece, (I.E. Drama, Poetry, Duets...)and some require you to prepare for up to 12 speeches, and one of those will be randomly drawn before your speech, and you will have thirty minutes to prepare. (I.E. Extemp Categories, Storytelling).
• The best course is to think about what it is you want to say or do, and then figure out what category it fits into. If you want to do a dramatic reading, or if you want to give a speech on global warming, or if you love the challenge of being ready to do a speech with a quick turnaround and being well versed in a lot of different information....but think first about what you want to do.
• They need to try and have picked a category before the first class. If they need help Mr. Webster will help them through it in the first meeting, but they have to come back to the next meeting prepared with their chosen category and the material ready. Please make the effort to have your category and speech material before the first meeting.
• The speeches need to be printed out or handwritten and affixed to a black piece of construction paper that they hold.
• They read from the printouts at the meets, yes, but the more familiar they are with the piece the higher the points – eye contact is essential! Off book is the best! But being really familiar with the piece and making eye contact is important!
• At the meets, they will perform their piece twice for two different judges. They are given a score. If their score is good they will ribbon! Ribbons scores are superior/excellent and good. Only Superior gets ribbons.
• The students see all the judges' sheets and comments for them to work on.
• They are scored on -
  • Introduction – (They need to write an introduction which is judged and graded separately from the piece)
  • Audience contact
  • Voice – control/clarity/diction/projection/expression
  • Blocked movement –(If applicable)
  • Characterization – (if applicable)
  • Eye contact
  • Posture/gestures
  • Total effectiveness
• In January they go to the meets. That schedule is posted on the "Speech" main page.
• They will get out of school, usually around 1:30/2:00, on the days of meets. They get on a bus, go compete, and back to Centennial around 8:00.
• Speeches need to be printed or written out and mounted on black construction paper.
• Speeches are 4-7 Minutes in length.
• Dress to impress!