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 bibliography with student name, student ID #, grade, and state must be submitted prior to speaking. If no sources are cited within the content of the speech, a typed bibliography stating “no sources needed” or “no sources cited” must be submitted.
The speaker will receive a 5-point deduction for every 15 seconds that the speech is less than 2 minute 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.

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