Information for Speech Contests

Fuller details of Speech Contests can be read in the ‘Speech Contest Rulebook 2007’.

Humorous Contest

These rules apply to all Humorous Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified and no exceptions may be made.

Purpose
i. To provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking skills and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.
ii. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.
iii. To recognise the value of humor in speaking.

Eligibility
i. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing of the club in which they are competing are eligible to compete. The club must also be in good standing. Dues must be current. A member must maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest. If at any level it is discovered that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified even if the ineligibility is not discovered until a later level and has been corrected.
ii. Each contestant must complete the Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality and submit it to the Chief Judge prior to the contest.
iii. Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio and video tape and teleconference is not permitted.

Speech Preparation
i. The subject for the humorous speech shall be selected by the contestant. The speaker should avoid potentially objectionable language, anecdotes and material
ii. Contestants must prepare their own 5 – 7 minute speech, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing to the Chief Judge prior to the presentation of the speech. Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation.
iii. The speech must be thematic in nature ie opening, body and close and not be a monologue or series of one liners.

General Procedure
i. A lectern will be available, use is optional.
ii. All equipment available to practice prior to the contest.
iii. Contestants may remain throughout the duration of the contest in the same room.
iv. Announcement of winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly.

Timing
i. Speeches shall be from 5 -7 minutes. Contestants who speak less than 4 min 30 seconds or more than 7 min 30 seconds will be disqualified.
ii. Time begins with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience.
iii. Any sightless contestant may use an audible warning device eg buzzer or bell announcing times at 5, 6 and 7 minutes. The contestant must provide the special device and specific instructions.

Protests
i. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge/ contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternative. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement, before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
ii. Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the judges. A majority of judges must concur in the decision to disqualify.
iii. All decisions of the judges are final.

Winners
In contests with 5 or more participants, a 3rd place winner, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced. In contests with 4 or fewer participants, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced.

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The purpose of this Contest is for Contestants to entertain the audience. It is a challenge to the Contestant to write and present a humorous speech. It should not be a series of one- liners, or jokes, or in bad taste.

Humour may be achieved by:
• Exaggeration
• Understatement
• Satire
• Irony
• Parody
• Puns
• Burlesque
• Unexpected twist
• Peculiar traits of people
• Poking fun at authority or dignity
• Challenging tales or stories

Judging Items:
1. content
a. speech development ie structure, organisation, support material
b. effectiveness ie achievement of purpose, interest, reception
c. speech value ie ideas, logic, original thought
d. audience response ie attentiveness, laughter, interest, reception
2. delivery
a. physical ie appearance, body language
b. voice ie flexibility, volume
c. manner ie directness, assurance, enthusiasm
3.  language
a. appropriateness ie to speech purpose and audience
b. correctness ie grammar, pronunciation, word selection

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Evaluation Contest

These rules apply to all Evaluation Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified and no exceptions may be made.

Purpose
i. To encourage development of evaluation skills and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.
ii. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient evaluators who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.

Eligibility
i. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing of the club in which they are competing are eligible to compete. The club must also be in good standing. Dues must be current. A member must maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest. If at any level it is discovered that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified even if the ineligibility is not discovered until a later level and has been corrected.
ii. Each contestant must complete the Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality and submit it to the Chief Judge prior to the contest.
iii. Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio and video tape and teleconference is not permitted.

General Procedure
i. A lectern will be available, use is optional.
ii. All equipment available to practice prior to the contest.
iii. At the beginning of this contest a 5- 7 minute test speech will be presented. The test speech should either be a contest- type speech or taken from the Communication and Leadership program manual. Contestants may make preparatory notes during the test speech using materials of their choice.
iv. At the conclusion of the test speech, all contestants shall leave the room. They then have 5 minutes to prepare their evaluation using materials of their choice. This shall be under the supervision of the SAA.
v. After 5 minutes have elapsed no further preparation shall be allowed and with the exception of the 1st contestant, who shall be called back as 1st evaluator, all others shall hand all written material to the contest SAA. Preparation material will be handed back to contestants as they are called back to present their evaluation.
vi. Announcement of winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly.

Timing
i. Evaluations shall be from 2 -3 minutes. Contestants who speak less than 1 min 30 seconds or more than 3 min 30 seconds will be disqualified.
ii. Time begins with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience.
iii. Any sightless contestant may use an audible warning device eg buzzer or bell announcing times at 2, 2 minutes 30 seconds and 3 minutes. The contestant must provide the special device and specific instructions.

Protests
i. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge/ contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternative. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement, before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
ii. The contest chairman can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.
iii. All decisions of the judges are final.

Winners
In contests with 5 or more participants, a 3rd place winner, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced. In contests with 4 or fewer participants, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced.

Judging Items:
1. analytical quality ie clear, focused
2. recommendations ie positive, specific, helpful
3. technique ie sympathetic, sensitive, motivational
4. summation ie concise, encouraging

Table Topics Contest

These rules apply to all Table Topics Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified and no exceptions may be made.

Purpose
i. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmaster training.
ii. To encourage development of impromptu and/ or extemporaneous speaking skills and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.

Eligibility
i. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing of the club in which they are competing are eligible to compete. The club must also be in good standing. Dues must be current. A member must maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest. If at any level it is discovered that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified even if the ineligibility is not discovered until a later level and has been corrected.
ii. Each contestant must complete the Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality and submit it to the Chief Judge prior to the contest.
iii. Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio and video tape and teleconference is not permitted.

Topics
i. All contestants shall receive the same topic, which shall be of general nature, and shall speak for 2 minutes.
ii. The topic shall be of reasonable length, shall not require a d et ailed knowledge and should lead to an opinion or conclusion.

General Procedure
i. A lectern will be available, use is optional.
ii. All equipment available to practice prior to the contest.
iii. When the contest begins, all contestants except the first shall leave the room.
iv. Announcement of winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly.

Timing
i. Speeches shall be 2 minutes. Contestants who speak less than 1 min or more than 2 min 30 seconds will be disqualified.
ii. Time begins with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience.
iii. Any sightless contestant may use an audible warning device eg buzzer or bell announcing times at 1, 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes. The contestant must provide the special device and specific instructions.

Protests
i. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge/ contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternative. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement, before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
ii. The contest chairman can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.
iii. All decisions of the judges are final.

Winners
In contests with 5 or more participants, a 3rd place winner, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced. In contests with 4 or fewer participants, 2nd and 1st place winner will be announced.

Judging Items:
1. speech development ie opening, body, close, organisation, smoothness
2. effectiveness ie logic, directness, enthusiasm, achievement of purpose, audience, response
3. physical ie appearance, body language
4. voice ie flexibility, volume
5. language ie appropriate to speech, purpose and audience, good grammar, pronunciation and word selection

International Speech Contest

These rules apply to all International Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified and no exceptions may be made.

Purpose
i. To provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.
ii. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.

Eligibility
i. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing of the club in which they are competing are eligible to compete. The club must also be in good standing. Dues must be current. A member must maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest. If at any level it is discovered that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified even if the ineligibility is not discovered until a later level and has been corrected.
ii. Have completed at least 6 manual speeches in the Communication and Leadership Program manual prior to the club contest.
iii. Each contestant must complete the Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality and submit it to the Chief Judge prior to the contest.
iv. Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio and video tape and teleconference is not permitted.

Speech Preparation
i. The subject for the International speech shall be selected by the contestant.
ii. Contestants must prepare their own 5 – 7 minute speech, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing to the Chief Judge prior to the presentation of the speech. Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation.

General Procedure
i. A lectern will be available, use is optional.
ii. All equipment available to practice prior to the contest.
iii. Contestants may remain throughout the duration of the contest in the same room.
iv. Announcement of winners is final unless the list of winners is announced. Incorrectly.

Timing
i. Speeches shall be from 5 -7 minutes. Contestants who speak less than 4 min 30 seconds or more than 7 min 30 seconds will be disqualified.
ii. Time begins with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience.
iii. Any sightless contestant may use an audible warning device eg buzzer or bell announcing times at 5, 6 and 7 minutes. The contestant must provide the special device and specific instructions.

Protests
i. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge/ contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternative. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement, before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
ii. Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the judges. A majority of judges must concur in the decision to disqualify.
iii. All decisions of the judges are final.

Judging Items:
i. content
a. speech development ie structure, organisation, support material
b. effectiveness ie achievement of purpose, interest, reception
c. speech value ie ideas, logic, original thought

ii. delivery
a. physical ie appearance, body language
b. voice ie flexibility, volume
c. manner ie directness, assurance, enthusiasm

iii. language
a. appropriateness ie to speech purpose and audience
b. correctness ie grammar, pronunciation, word selection

Novice Speech Contest

These rules apply to all Novice Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified and no exceptions may be made.

Purpose
iii. To provide an opportunity for novice speakers to improve their speaking abilities and to recognise the best as encouragement to all.
iv. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.

Eligibility
v. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing of the club in which they are competing are eligible to compete. The club must also be in good standing. Dues must be current. A member must maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest. If at any level it is discovered that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified even if the ineligibility is not discovered until a later level and has been corrected.
vi. Have completed less than 6 manual speeches in the Communication and Leadership Program manual prior to the club contest.
vii. Each contestant must complete the Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality and submit it to the Chief Judge prior to the contest.
viii. Each contestant must be present to compete. Participation by audio and video tape and teleconference is not permitted.

Speech Preparation
iii. The subject for the Novice speech shall be selected by the contestant.
iv. Contestants must prepare their own 5 – 7 minute speech, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing to the Chief Judge prior to the presentation of the speech. Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation.

General Procedure
v. A lectern will be available, use is optional.
vi. All equipment available to practice prior to the contest.
vii. Contestants may remain throughout the duration of the contest in the same room.
viii. Announcement of winners is final unless the list of winners is announced. Incorrectly.

Timing
iv. Speeches shall be from 5 -7 minutes. Contestants who speak less than 4 min 30 seconds or more than 7 min 30 seconds will be disqualified.
v. Time begins with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience.
vi. Any sightless contestant may use an audible warning device eg buzzer or bell announcing times at 5, 6 and 7 minutes. The contestant must provide the special device and specific instructions.

Protests
iv. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge/ contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternative. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement, before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
v. Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the judges. A majority of judges must concur in the decision to disqualify.
vi. All decisions of the judges are final.