Rules and Procedures
A. There shall be two divisions: International and National. National topics will cover U. S. domestic and U.S. foreign policy. International topics will cover the domestic affairs of foreign countries and the foreign affairs of all countries, including the United States.
B. Prior to Round 1 of the tournament extempers are to report to the preparation room to have files checked. Files may contain published books, magazines, newspapers and journals or articles there from, provided:
C. Any extemper found with illegal material after the start of Round 1 is disqualified.
D. 30 minutes prior to speaking the extemper will draw 3 topics in the preparation room. He/she immediately chooses one, puts the other two back, and the draw supervisor records the number of the chosen topic.
E. The speaker shall present his/her topic slip to the judge. Failure to speak on the topic chosen will result in the speaker’s disqualification.
F. Extempers may not confer with others during their preparation. A competitor who confers with others prior to delivering the speech may be disqualified.
G. Speakers are not to leave the prep area until 5 minutes prior to speaking or until released by an official.
H. One note card is allowed. (It may be 3 x 5, 4 x 6, or 5 x 7.)
I. There is no minimum time but the speaker may not exceed 7 minutes. After a 15-second grace period and an audible STOP, the judge will rank the speaker last.
J. No electronic retrieval devices are allowed in the prep room or in the round.
1. They are originals or Xeroxed copies of the originals.
2. The original article or copy is intact and uncut.
3. There is not written material on that original or copy.
4. Topical index without annotation may be present.
5. Highlighting and underlining is permissible providing there is only one color per article.
6. On line printed copies of articles may be used.
7. Prewritten speeches, old note cards, handbooks, briefs and outlines shall be barred from the extemp prep room.
1. Schedules of drawing and speaking times, preparation room assignments, and speaking room assignments are furnished to the students. Speakers are required to follow the assigned schedule and speaking order.
2. Exactly 30 minuets before each student is scheduled to speak in a round, he/she will draw three topics in the preparation room. He/she is to choose one of the three topics on which to speak and is to prepare on that topic. The number of the topic will be recorded by the extemporaneous drew supervisor and will be subject to review; the judge will record the topic number on the ballot and collect the slips. Failure to speak on the selected topic will result in a rank of fourth or last in that round.
3. Only published reference materials will be allowed in the preparation room. Students may use books, magazines, or clippings. Bibliographies may only include topic, title, source and page number. Student will not be allowed to use prepared notes, annotated bibliographies, outlines or speeches.
4. At the time designated on the schedule, the speaker is to be at the assigned speaking room. Before speaking he/she is to give the critic his/her topic slip. The critic will record the topic number on the ballot and collect the slip.
5. Notes used while speaking should be confined to one card (3 X 5, 4 X 6, 5 X 7). Maximum time is seven (7) minutes. The starting and ending time should be marked on each ballot. If the contestant continues beyond the maximum time, the STOP card must be shown and an audible “STOP” provided at the end of the 15-second grace period. If the contestant continues beyond the STOP signal, the contestant will be ranked fourth or last in the round. Total elapsed time must be indicated on the ballot.
6. Critics will rate and rank speakers and give constructive criticisms. The total score automatically provides a rating by use of the rating scale on all evaluation forms.
7. Completed ballots, plus the summary sheet, and all topic slips with ballots should be turned in to the tabulation room promptly. After tabulation, each ballot is given to the participant via his/her coach the end of the tournament.
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