Senior Speech
Hybrid Competition
The Speech competition is designed to allow students the opportunity to speak on a topic of choice, gain public speaking experience, as well as increase his/her confidence level. Speeches may be two to three minutes in length. There are two divisions: Division I is 9th and 10th grades and Division II is 11th and 12th grades. A club may enter one student in both Division I and Division II.
Time Limit: 2-3 Minutes
Competition Guidelines
- A typed bibliography with student name, student ID and grade must be submitted. If no sources are cited within the content of the speech, a typed bibliography stating “no sources needed” must be submitted.
- The speaker will receive a 5-point deduction for every 15 seconds that the speech is less than 1 minute or exceeds 3 minutes.
- Participants must be dressed in business attire. Props or costumes are not allowed.
- Use of electronic devices will not be permitted during competition.
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- If a club chooses to submit virtually for a hybrid competition, the entry must be submitted electronically. See the Virtual Appendix for directions.
Educational Connections
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Oral Communication
- Persuasive Presentation
- Information and Media Literacy
How to Enter
- Visit www.betaclub.org/events/conventions and follow directions.
- Register students and then select competitions to enter.
National Eligibility
All Plaques Awarded at Convention Extension
Judging Criteria
Speech | 16-20 | 11-15 | 6-10 | 1-5 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Interest Level | Excellent selection of speech topic that is appropriate for audience and maintains audience’s attention. | Good selection of speech topic that is appropriate for audience and maintains audience’s attention. | Average selection of speech topic that is appropriate for audience and maintains audience’s attention. | Minimal selection of speech topic that is appropriate for audience and maintains audience’s attention. |
Organization | Excellent organizational structure with a well developed thesis and use of transitions. | Good organizational structure with a well developed thesis and use of transitions. | Average organizational structure with a well developed thesis and use of transitions. | Minimal organizational structure with a well developed thesis and use of transitions. |
Support | Excellent evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness. | Good evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness. | Average evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness. | Minimal evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness. |
Delivery | Speaker maintains excellent eye contact, displays excellent enthusiasm, and speaks with correct grammar, enunciation and competent diction. | Speaker maintains good eye contact, displays excellent enthusiasm, and speaks with correct grammar, enunciation and competent diction. | Speaker maintains average eye contact, displays excellent enthusiasm, and speaks with correct grammar, enunciation and competent diction. | Speaker maintains minimal eye contact, displays excellent enthusiasm, and speaks with correct grammar, enunciation and competent diction. |
Professionalism | Excellent professionalism is evident. | Good professionalism is evident. | Average professionalism is evident. | Minimal professionalism is evident. |
Deductions | This will be taken one time by the coordinator. | Did not follow competition guidelines -10 |