Speech Contests

Contestants present a five- to seven- minute speech on any subject they choose. All districts must conduct this contest.

International Contest Kit (Item 1169)

The International competition has two additional levels compared to all the other contests — the semifinal and the World Championship of Public Speaking^®.

Contestants present a humorous speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and close), not a monologue (series of one-liners).

Humorous Contest Kit (Item 1169H)

Contestants observe a five-to seven-minute test speech and then present a two-to three-minute evaluation of the test speech.

Evaluation ContestKit (Item 1169E)

Contestants present a speech on a topic that is highly-exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.

Tall Tales Contest Kit (Item 1169TT)

An impromptu speech, all contestants are assigned the same topic, told to them when they are introduced by the contest chair.

Table Topics Contest Kit (Item 1169H)

These tutorials offer fundamental principles to help members understand speech contests:

• Overview and Roles

• When You’re the Judge

• Judge’s Guide and Ballot

• Fall Contest Agenda Template (PDF)

• Combined Fall Contest Agenda Template (PDF)

• Conducting Quality Speech Contests

• Speech Contest Rulebook

• Speech Contest Rulebook Changes

• Speech Contest FAQ

• Speech Contest Certificate Set

• Judges Certificate of Eligibility and Code of Ethics

• Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality

• Contest Timer’s Sheet

• Notification of Winner

• Speech Contestant Profile

Forms

• International Judges Ballot
• Humorous Judges Ballot
• Table Topics Judges Ballot
• Evaluation Judges Ballot
• Tall Tales Judges Ballot
• International Tie Breaker Form
• Humorous Tie Breaker Form
• Table Topics Tie Breaker Form
• Evaluation Tie Breaker Form
• Tall Tales Tie Breaker Form

Click here to order certificates