Senior Speech

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/printed bibliography with student name, student ID #, and grade level must be submitted prior to speaking. If no sources are cited within the content of the speech, a typed/printed bibliography stating “no sources needed” or “no sources cited” must be submitted. Students will receive a ten point deduction if no typed/printed bibliography is submitted.
National Beta will not be responsible for printing bibliographies.
The speaker will receive a one time 5-point deduction if the speech is less than 2 minutes or exceeds 3 minutes.
Participants must be dressed in business attire.
Props or costumes are not allowed.
Random draw will determine the order of speech presentations.
Spectators will be permitted based on room size.
Use of electronic devices will not be permitted during competition.

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 State Convention

Judging Criteria

Speech	16-20	11-15	6-10	1-5
Interest Level	Excellent selection of speech topic that is appropriate.	Good selection of speech topic that is appropriate.	Average selection of speech topic that is appropriate.	Minimal selection of speech topic that is appropriate.
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 using examples, facts and details.	Good evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness using examples, facts and details.	Average evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness using examples, facts and details.	Minimal evidence of support that is well presented, creates unity and completeness using examples, facts and details.
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.
Engagement	Used an excellent creative-attention getting strategy to engage the audience.	Used a good creative-attention getting strategy to engage the audience.	Used an average attention getting strategy to engage the audience.	Used a minimal attention getting strategy to engage the audience.
Deductions	This will be taken one time by the coordinator.	Did not follow competition guidelines -10	Did not follow time guidelines -5*