Participating School Guidelines
2017 State Speech Tournament
Class AA ......................... Friday .................. April 21, 2017
Class A ........................... Saturday .............. April 22, 2017
Speech contest guidelines have been prepared to provide general information with reference to
participation in the State Speech Contest. The State Speech Contest will be held at Apple Valley
High School.
It is the speech coach’s responsibility to review and understand all instructions in the Participating
Schools Guidelines and the Rules and Policies Manual on the website.
Student Inability to Compete
If a QUALIFIED CONTESTANT is unable to participate in the State Contest, the COACH of the
contestant shall IMMEDIATELY contact Chris Franson, State Speech Tournament Director, at
the Minnesota State High School League at 763-560-2262.
Participating Schools Lodging Information
Best Western Premier – Nicollet Inn
14201 Nicollet Avenue South
Burnsville, MN 55337
Room Rate: $109.99
Jeff Wade
[email protected]
952-435-2100 – Direct
952-435-2483 – Fax
Deadline: April 17, 2017
Scripts In All Scripted Events
COACHES PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT
1. At the State Speech Tournament students, must submit current scripts at school registration
before the first round in all events except Draw Events and Discussion. Please be sure student
name and school are on the script and that all required documentation is included.
2. In Great Speeches, the student must include the title(s) of speech(es), author, and source(s).
3. Students who do not submit updated scripts (with introductions and citations) will be
disqualified.
4. Student scripts will be available at the end of the day.
Ranking & Speaking Order
1. There will be three (3) preliminary rounds of competition to qualify for the final round. Contestants
will speak in sections of six (6) people in the prelims, and eight (8) in the final round.
The Judge shall rank the participants she/he hears in each section. The contestants in each
section shall be ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th (no two alike).
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2. The schedule in each event will be arranged so there will be a balanced number of 1 st, 2nd and 3rd
place qualifiers.
3. A different competitive section pairing rotation will be used for each event in the contest.
Contestants from the same competitive section will not be in the same speaking section. The
speaking order shall be rotated for all three preliminary rounds.
4. The Order of Speaking in the final round will be determined by random draw.
Critiques and Posting
1. Judges will provide written critiques for the three (3) preliminary rounds, but not for the final round
of competition.
2. Final Round Qualifiers information will be posted in various locations around the campus.
Lunch
There will be a full cafeteria available for coaches and participants to purchase lunch.
NOTE: The cafeteria does not take credit cards. Cash or check only.
Awards Ceremony
Announcement of results and presentation of medals will follow final rounds. Medalists (Final Round
participants) must report to the stage for awards 15 minutes before the presentation.
Time Limits
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE TIME LIMIT WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC RANK ADJUSTMENT
TO THE LOWEST RANK IN THE SECTION. THE CONTESTANT SHALL COMPLETE ONLY THE
SENTENCE ALREADY BEGUN EXCEPT IN STORYTELLING AND EXTEMPORANEOUS
SPEAKING (see specific rules). BEING STOPPED SHALL IN NO WAY AFFECT THE RATING
OF THE CONTESTANT.
Should You Win a State Championship
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If your team or one of your individuals is fortunate to win a state championship, congratulations!
Please assist League staff by supplying a photograph of your team or individual that will be used
in producing our annual Yearbook and Record Book. That publication is prepared and printed
following the end of the school year. Assist the League in recognizing your team or individual by
supplying the photograph immediately following the conclusion of the state tournament or meet.
Actual color prints or high resolution electronic files are required. For teams, the photograph
should be roughly 5-by-7 inches in size. For individuals, the photograph should be roughly 1-1/2by-2 inches in size. All electronic files must be 300 dpi or higher and in JPEG or TIFF format.
Please email Yvonne at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you!
SPGuide.doc
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