Speech Tournament
Etiquette
Impromptu
Grade Level: 8 Optional Extra Event
In the impromptu event, students must be
able to think on their feet, as speeches are not
prepared ahead of time, but rather, the topic
is determined only minutes before the speech
delivery. Students select one topic from a list
of choices revealed only as the round begins.
Students are given three minutes to organize
their ideas and rehearse their presentation.
No note cards or visual aids are allowed.
Content must be appropriate for general
audiences, and clearly organized with smooth
transitions. Speaker should engage audience
with clear voice, facial expressions, good
volume, and ideal pacing. The time limit is
1– 5 minutes. Finalists are chosen from this
one presentation for 1st –3rd place awards.

Holy Rosary School
Speech Tournament
All audience members should remain
seated and quiet throughout the entire
round out of respect for the participants

Once a round has begun, no one should
leave or enter the room out of respect
for the participants

All distracting sounds and motions
Tournament Events
and
Judging Criteria
should be eliminated —turn off cell
phones; refrain from prompting a speaker or photography during round

Absolutely no pre-school aged children

Quiet passing in hallways
Why have a speech tournament?

Continues a fine Catholic tradition of
nurturing excellent public speakers

Develops much-needed work force skills

Meets school-wide learning expectations
for communication and life-long learning

Satisfies Washington State Standards in
the areas of writing and communication

Allows students to receive public
recognition for accomplishments in speech

Builds confidence through practical public
speaking experiences
Holy Rosary School
Grades Kindergarten—8th
Poetry
Prepared Reading
Oratory
Grade Level: K-2
Grade Level: 5
Grade Level: 7
Students should have the title, author, and body of a
published poem memorized. They should maintain
eye contact throughout the recitation, and also
engage the audience with facial expressions, clear
voice, good volume, and ideal pacing during the
entire presentation.
Students select an excerpt of a published novel rich
with drama and interesting character dialogue and will
appear to read their interpretation of the scene from
paper. The participants must have a memorized
introduction, which includes the title, author, and a
brief description of the characters, plot, and setting of
the reading. The narrative words (like “he said glumly” or “she shrieked”) are eliminated, and the text condensed to include only the pertinent parts. Speaker
should maintain characters, and engage the audience
with facial expressions, clear voice, good volume, and
ideal pacing. Selection must be approved by the
school. Time limit is 4-6 minutes. Students will be
asked to stop at the end of six minutes. All students
present in the preliminary round. Finalists are chosen
to go on and compete for 1st –3rd place awards in
front of a larger school audience.
An oratory is a direct and sincere persuasive speech
dealing with a current topic or issue that proposes a
solution. Orations may convince the audience of an
impending danger, strengthen loyalty to a specific
cause, or even eulogize a person. The speaker should
use figures of speech, similes and metaphors
appropriately. Objective sentences, citations and
expressions enhance the presentation . Excellent
delivery will include good eye contact throughout and
engage the audience with facial expressions, clear
voice, good volume, and ideal pacing. This speech
must be memorized, be the speaker’s original work,
and quoted material should not comprise more than
10% of text. Time limit is 4-8 minutes. All students
Guidelines for poem length are as follows:

Kindergarten
8-10 lines

First Grade
12-14 lines

Second Grade
16-20 lines
Each class will compete only against students in the
same grade. All Kindergarten students receive
participation ribbons. Grades 1 and 2 have Top
Club distinctions awarded.
Story Book
Grade Level: 3-4
Students interpret a storybook and present it as if to an
audience of children. Speakers must have a memorized
introduction, which includes the title, author, and a few
lines telling what the story is about. Speaker should
maintain characters, and also engage the audience with
facial expressions, clear voice, good volume, and ideal
pacing. Stories must be approved by the school.
Students may have story memorized but must hold the
book and appear to read it. Students may display some
or all of the book’s pictures. The time limit is 4-6
minutes. Students are asked to stop at the end of six
minutes. There is no penalty for not finishing the story.
Each class will compete only against students in the
same grade. All students present in the preliminary
round. Finalists are chosen to go on and compete for
1st –3rd place awards in front of a larger school
audience.
Expository
present in the preliminary round. Finalists go on to
compete for 1st –3rd place awards in front of a
larger school audience.
Editorial Comment
Grade Level: 8
Grade Level: 6
Students prepare their own original speech that informs
the audience of a current topic, a historical event, or
demonstrates how to use an object, or explains how an
item is made. Speaker has free choice of subject but
must be approved by the school. Information shared
should be accurate and well researched, citing sources
when necessary. All demonstrations or visual aids used
should enhance the information presented. Note cards
may be used but should not interfere with the speaker’s
ability to communicate with the audience successfully.
The time limit is 5-8 minutes. All students present in
the preliminary round. Finalists are chosen to go on
and compete for 1st –3rd place awards in front of a
larger school audience.
This is a short speech on an issue of current public concern. It is an original editorial that expounds on a position. It is persuasive in nature, and the argument posed
should be supported by relevant facts to prove one’s point.
It should be modeled after the editorial commentaries as
seen on the television news or an editorial in a newspaper.
It should be memorized. The absolute time limit is to be a
minimum of 1:45 minutes in length and no more than 2
minutes. Content must be approved by the school. Speak-
er should establish eye contact with the “television
camera”, speak with a clear voice, project good volume, and keep an ideal pace. Speaker’s views should
seem sincere and create in an acceptance of the ideas
expressed. All students present in the preliminary
round. Finalists go on and compete for 1st –3rd place
awards in front of a larger school audience.
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Poetry
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. The Poetry event is to encourage students to explore literature and learn how to present to an audience.
2. The presenter should have the title, author and poem memorized.
3. The presenter should maintain eye contact throughout the recitation of the poem.
4. The presenter should engage the audience with facial expressions, clear voice, good volume and ideal pacing
during the presentation.
5. There is NO time limit.
Poetry Selection
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
1
Title and Author Stated Clearly
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
2
Poem Completely Memorized
5
4
3
2
1
3
Eye Contact Maintained
5
4
3
2
1
4
Effective Use of Voice, Diction, &
5
4
3
2
1
Pacing
5
Facial Expression
5
4
3
2
1
6
Poise /Posture
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 30)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Storybook
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. The Storybook event is to interpret a story and present it as if to an audience of children.
2. The presenter is required to have a memorized introduction, which includes the title and author.
3. The presenter should maintain the interpretive reading of the story.
4. The presenter should show the audience pictures from the book to complete the presentation.
5. The minimum time is 4 minutes. Mark down one rank for being under the time minimum.
6. The TIME LIMIT for this event is 6 minutes.
(There is NO penalty for not finishing the story.)
Storybook Title
1
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
Memorized Introduction with Title
and Author
2
Ability to Maintain Characters
5
4
3
2
1
3
Effective Use of Voice and Diction
5
4
3
2
1
4
Facial Expression
5
4
3
2
1
5
Poise/Posture
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 25)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Prepared Reading
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. Speaker may read one or more selections of published prose, poetry or drama.
 Special Note: If poetry or one-character piece is chosen, please score #3 consistent with your score for
#2 (Re-creation of Scene/Mood).
2. Material should be dramatic in nature.
3. If more than one selection is read, they must be connected in theme.
4. Speaker is required to have an introduction and transitions should connect the selections if more than one is
used. Introduction should be memorized and included in 6 minute time limit.
5. Speaker should maintain the illusion of reading the piece.
6. Body movement is limited to a one-step radius; gestures should be limited.
7. The minimum time is 4 minutes. Mark down one rank if time minimum is not met.
8. The TIME LIMIT for this event is a maximum of 6 minutes with a 30-second grace period.
Mark down one rank after grace period.
Title/Author of Piece
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
1
Introduction and Transitions
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
2
Re-creation of Scene/Mood
5
4
3
2
1
3
Ability to Distinguish Characters
5
4
3
2
1
4
Effective Use of Voice/Diction
5
4
3
2
1
5
Poise/Posture
5
4
3
2
1
6
Appropriate Gestures/Movement
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 30)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please Circle)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Expository Round Judge’s Name Speaker’s Name Judge’s Signature Instructions to Judges 1. The purpose of this speech is to describe, clarify, explain, and/or define an object, idea or process. A demonstration is an acceptable form of expository; a “performance” is not. 2. Speech should be the original work of the speaker. 3. The speech may be delivered with or without notes. 4. Visual aids are required. 5. The minimum time is 5 minutes. Mark down one rank if minimum time is not met. 6. The TIME LIMIT for this event is 8 minutes with a 30‐second grace period. Mark down one rank after grace period. Topic Chosen 1 Superior
Excellent Good Satisfactory Original Approach 5 4 3 2 Needs Improvement 1 2 Use/Quality of Visual Aids 5 4 3 2 1 3 Organization of Presentation 5 4 3 2 1 4 Main Idea Clear and Coherent 5 4 3 2 1 5 Effective Use of Voice/Diction 5 4 3 2 1 6 Poise/Posture 5 4 3 2 1 TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 30) RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one) COMMENTS for SPEAKER: TIME: 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Oratory
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. The speech should be the original work of the speaker and the speaker should have a copy of the speech on
hand. NOTE: Judge does NOT need to have a copy in hand to follow along and should be focusing on the
speaker.
2. There should be no more than 100 words of quoted material.
3. Speech should be memorized. If not memorized, please drop to lowest rank (4th).
4. This is a PERSUASIVE speech that may deal with a problem/solution; alert audience to a threatening danger;
strengthen devotion to a cause; or eulogize someone.
5. The minimum time is 4 minutes. Mark down one rank if time minimum is not met.
6. The TIME LIMIT for this event is 8 minutes with a 30-second grace period.
Mark down one rank after grace period.
Topic Chosen
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
1
Sincerity and Directness
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
2
Diction/Enunciation
5
4
3
2
1
3
Persuasiveness
5
4
3
2
1
4
Memorization
5
4
3
2
1
5
Organization of Speech
5
4
3
2
1
6
Poise/Posture
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 30)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Editorial Commentary
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. Editorial Commentary is a speech taking a position on an issue of current public concern.
2. The speech must be the original work of the speaker, and is delivered as if the speaker were an editorialist for a
television station.
3. The speech is delivered from a seated position as if to a camera.
4. The TIME LIMIT for this event is EXACTLY 1:45 to 2:00 minutes.
(There is NO grace period for this event. Speakers OVER or UNDER the time limit must be dropped one
place in the rankings and may not be awarded 1st in the round.)
Topic Chosen
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
1
Sincerity and Directness
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
2
Ability to create acceptance or
enthusiasm for speaker’s ideas
5
4
3
2
1
3
Clarity of writing/ideas
5
4
3
2
1
4
Enunciation/Diction
5
4
3
2
1
5
Effective Use of Voice
5
4
3
2
1
6
Effectiveness of delivery “on
camera"
5
4
3
2
1
7
Poise/Posture
5
4
3
2
1
8
Timing and Pace
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 40)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
Holy Rosary School Speech Tournament
Impromptu
Round
Speaker’s Name
Judge’s Name
Judge’s Signature
Instructions to Judges
1. Speech is prepared and delivered without the use of notes or materials.
2. Speakers wait outside the classroom until it is their turn to speak and remain IN the classroom after speaking.
3. ALL observers are to remain in the classroom throughout the round.
4. Speaker has two (2) minutes to choose a topic and organize his/her thoughts.
5. The TIME LIMIT for this event is 5 minutes, exclusive of the two-minute prep time.
6. The TIME MINIMUM is 1 minute. Please drop two points if the minimum is NOT met.
7. Please clarify time signals with the entire group before you begin so they know what to expect.
Topic Chosen
Superior
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
1
Originality and Insight
5
4
3
2
Needs
Improvement
1
2
Convincing Speaker
5
4
3
2
1
3
Adherence to Topic
5
4
3
2
1
4
Knowledge of Topic Area
5
4
3
2
1
5
Clear/Coherent Organization
5
4
3
2
1
6
Effective Use of Voice/Diction
5
4
3
2
1
7
Poise/Posture
5
4
3
2
1
8
Effective Use of Gestures/Body
5
4
3
2
1
TOTAL POINTS: (Out of a possible 40)
RANK IN THIS ROUND: (Please circle one)
COMMENTS for SPEAKER:
TIME:
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH