This article needs additional citations for verification .(September 2012) |
Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp, or EXT) is a speech delivery style/speaking style, and a term that identifies a specific forensic competition. The competition is a speech event based on research and original analysis, done with a limited-preparation; in the United States those competitions are held for high school and college students. In a Extemporaneous Speech competition, enrolled participants prepare for thirty minutes on a question related to current events and then give a seven-minute speech responding to that question. [1] The extemporaneous speaking delivery style, referred to as "off-the-cuff", [2] is a type of delivery method for a public presentation, that was carefully prepared and practiced but not memorized. [3]
Extemporaneous speech is considered to have elements of two other types of speeches, the manuscript (written text that can be read or memorized) and the impromptu (making remarks with little to no preparation). [4] When searching for "extemporaneous", the person will find that "impromptu" is a synonym for "extemporaneous". However, for speech delivery styles, this is not the case. An extemporaneous speech is planned and practiced, but when delivered, is not read. Presenters will normally rely on small notes or outlines with key points. This type of delivery style is recommended because audiences perceive it as more conversational, natural, and spontaneous, and it will be delivered in a slightly different manner each time, because it’s not memorized. [5]
This section is written like a manual or guide.(November 2024) |
Speakers may find it challenging to deliver a speech using extemporaneous speech style in order to make the delivery organized, conversational, and responsive to the audience and context. An extemporaneous delivery will require that the speaker use a limited number of notes, and avoid a read or memorized presentation; instead, the speaker should practice and rehearse as many times as needed to become familiar with the subject and deliver the content using their own words and a conversational style. A conversational style is engaging for the audience, while the organization allows for greater understanding of the topic. The first couple of times the speech is rehearsed, speakers may stumble and forget words or what order to follow. Because of this, it is recommended that speakers practice multiple times well in advance of the speech event. Practice should be realistic, replicating the speaking event as closely as possible (using presentation aids and technology, including an audience, the size of the room, mic, etc.). As such, it is imperative that speakers practice with their speaker notes, allowing for familiarity and adjustments to be made so they are useful at a glance. Therefore, practicing the speech out loud is better than silently because it will help master the content being presented. [6]
Knowing how to create an outline for an extemporaneous speech helps speakers remember the order that should be followed, a word that the speaker might find it difficult to pronounce or main topics of the speech. An outline used for an extemporaneous speech can be called a "working outline" and it consists of three main sections, the introduction, body, and conclusion. Transitions should also be used and are a good way to go from the introduction to the body and from one main point to the other; it helps the speaker keep on track and listeners to follow along. [7]
Extemporaneous speakers are recommended to follow an organization pattern. In the introduction, the speaker should gain the audience attention, establish credibility, state the relevancy of the topic to the audience, and clearly state the thesis and main points. In the body, the speaker should have the main points of the presentation (that were already stated in the introduction) and the supporting material (or evidence for persuasive speeches) for each main point, such as facts, statistics, examples, etc. Writing down authors’ names, qualifications, where the article was found, and date might be very useful in order to share the correct information with the audience. The same techniques should be used to outline the conclusion; end on a strong note, cause impact between the audience, and make it clear what the listeners should take away from the presentation. In order to achieve all of the strategies listed above, speakers can opt to have a simpler outline, just with topics and subtopics or a more detailed outline with complete sentences and notes that they find it difficult to remember; speakers will learn what work best for them, but is important to remember, the outline should never be read and instead it should only be used for reference. [7]
There are verbal and nonverbal actions that can be used when delivering a speech, in any style, that will make an audience perceive the speech more favorably. Keeping eye contact will make the audience give credence to what the speaker is sharing, and it will show confidence and knowledge on the topic being presented. The speaker’s pronunciation, diction and articulation of words will make the audience believe on what is being said, especially words in the field of the presentation, it will show that the speaker knows what they are talking about. In addition, speakers should also stand up, move, and use gestures because it will convey vitality, energy and naturality. [8]
In order to be successful, speakers should try to pace themselves; when talking too fast, the audience might not understand everything being shared, but talking too slow might make the audience lose interest. The tone should also vary, loudness and pitch. A monotone presentation is going to be perceived as boring. Asking for feedback from friends and family before the real presentation might be useful to get an outsider’s opinion on how the speaker is doing and things to improve; some speakers might find value in recording their practice speeches for self-critique. [8]
A successful Extemporaneous Speech begins with an introduction that catches the listener's attention, introduces the theme, and answers the question through two to three areas of analysis. This is followed by a conclusion, which summarizes the speech and may have an impact upon the audience. [9]
The introduction is usually structured as a 1-minute, 30-second section, grabbing the attention of the audience, utilizing background information (including sources) to build credibility, and finishing with a statement of significance (stating why the topic is important). After that, competitors conclude their introduction by going into a basic overview of the structure of the speech, including the question, an umbrella answer (sometimes called a thesis), and a preview of the areas of analysis. [9]
An individual point in Extemporaneous Speaking is typically structured like a basic paragraph, with a claim, warrant, and impact that collectively take up 1 minutes and 30 seconds. Each point usually incorporates two to three sources to build credibility and provide information for analysis, and a mix of both broad argumentation and specific examples. Finally, the end of a point usually links back to the speaker's answer to the question, which functions as an impact. Some schools of thought argue that the impact of a point should link to a scenario outside of the scope of the question, but most competitive circuits in high school and collegiate competition value a link back to the answer to the question instead. [9]
The conclusion, which lasts for between 30 seconds and 1 minute follows the basic format of the introduction, but backwards, starting with the speaker restating the question, answer, and review of the three points. Finally, the speech finishes with a "clincher"—a rhetorical tool that leaves an audience with something to think about. [9]
During a speech, the Speaker’s triangle" is fairly common. In it, a competitor stands in the middle of the stage for the introduction, walks to the left for their first point, moves back to the middle for their second point, walks to the right for their third point, and walks to the middle (and sometimes forward) for their conclusion. [10]
In addition using body language such as posture and hand movements is an important part of the event and many judges consider nonverbal communication as well as the structure of the speech.
Extemporaneous Speaking sometimes allows for the use of index cards, but many competitors forgo their usage as they hinder effective delivery, and most leagues do not allow them outside of novice competitions.
In preparing an Extemporaneous Speech, competitors consult with a variety of sources and attempt to make an outline for their speech. Before personal computers, teams would bring packets of sources with them around the country but now most competitors elect to store their sources on a laptop computer. However, even after the invention of the internet, its use was prohibited until fairly recently when many competitions started to allow it over the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]
Some tournaments both offer Domestic (The United States) and International Extemp, focusing on issues in the United States and around the world respectively. However, some tournaments, such as the Tournaments of Champions, will choose one, since nationally competitive students are prepared for both. [11]
During the speech, competitors are evaluated by way of comparison to the other speakers in a "round" of competition. Generally, there are five to seven competitors in a given round. Judges rank all students in a room in order, with the first rank being the best and the worst speaker ranked last (sixth, for example in a round of six competitors). [12]
In High School competition, the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), and the National Catholic Forensic League (CFL) govern most of the Extemp tournaments. However most tournaments are held by independent schools. Both leagues have a national tournament at the end of every year, with the NSDA tournament drawing a larger number of competitors. There is also the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions, held each May at Northwestern University, the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, and the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky. In addition, there are highly prestigious national "circuit" tournaments. These include the Glenbrooks Tournament in Chicago, the Yale Invitational at Yale University, the Barkley Forum at Emory University, the Berkeley Tournament in University of California, Berkeley, and the Harvard Invitational at Harvard University. There is also a major round-robin, which has the prestige of a championship tournament, held at Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA).
In collegiate competition, a myriad of organizations provide national competition in Extemporaneous Speaking. The American Forensic Association (AFA) and the National Forensic Association(NFA) are organizations responsible for Extemporaneous speaking at the four year level, with Phi Rho Pi serving the two year, community college level. Other organizations that offer Extemporaneous Speaking competition include Pi Kappa Delta, Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha, and the International Forensic Association. Collegiate competition is almost identical to High School competition, with most tournaments hosted by universities. The AFA hosts a National Individual Events Tournament (NIET), usually in April. The NFA hosts a separate tournament with easier qualification requirements known as NFA Nationals. Additionally, collegiate competition consists of dozens of tournaments across the country, like the Norton Invitational, hosted by Bradley University, and the Hell Froze Over swing tournament.
Most competition is held in the United States however countries around the world have Extemp tournaments.
Rankings for High School Extemporaneous Speaking are officially maintained by National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), [13] and two community-run organizations: Extemp Central [14] and The Extemper's Bible [15]
In American High School Extemporaneous Speaking, the Montgomery Bell Academy Round Robin, Tournament of Champions, Extemp Tournament of Champions, National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Grand National Championship, NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp, and NSDA National Championship in International Extemp are all considered to be national championships or of equivalent level.
Different organizations track and rank competitors based on the aforementioned national championships and circuit tournaments throughout the season. These different "races," the NSDA Points Race in Extemp, Extemper's Bible National Points Race, and Extemp Central Points Race, rank and track competitors throughout the season, before crowning a champion at the end of the season.
2023-2024
In the 2023-2024 season, April Zhang (Neuqua Valley High School, Illinois) won the Montgomery Bell Academy Round Robin. Charlotte Reitman (NSU University School, Florida) won the Tournament of Champions. Sasha Morel (Plano West High School, Texas) won the Extemp TOC at Northwestern University. Robert Zhang (Elkins High School, Texas) won the NIETOC, and Amy Cao (Ridge High School, New Jersey) won the NCFL Grand Nationals. Tea Shouldice (Half Hollow Hills High School East, New York) won the NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp, also winning the final round. Anthony Babu (Concord-Carlisle High School, Massachusetts) won the NSDA National Championship in International Extemp, also championing the final round. The Extemp Central points race crowned Brandon Cheng (Flintridge Preparatory School, California) as its champion. Sruti Peddi (BASIS Scottsdale High School, Arizona) placed second in the points race and Anthony Babu placed third. [16]
2022–2023
In the 2022–2023 season, McKinley Paltzik (Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona) won the Montgomery Bell Round Robin, the NSDA National Championship in International Extemp, the Extemp Central Points Race, the Extempers Bible Points Race and the Extemp Tournament of Champions. [17] Theodore Gercken (The College Preparatory School, California) won the NSDA Points Race in Extemp. [18] Agrim Joshi (Shakopee High School, Minnesota) won the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. [19] Kyle Letterer (Plano West Sr. High School, Texas) won the NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp.
2021–2022
In the 2021-2022 season, Daniel Kind (Lake Highland Preparatory School, Florida) won the NCFL Grand National Championship, [20] Extemp Central Points Race, [21] Extemper's Bible National Points Race, [22] and the NSDA Points Race in Extemp. [23] McKinley Paltzik (Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona) won the Montgomery Bell Round Robin, [2] the Tournament of Champions, [24] and the NSDA National Championship in International Extemp. [25] Peter Alisky (Smoky Hill, Colorado) won the NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp. [26] Gabriel Bo (Plano West Sr. High School, Texas) won the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. [27] Cameron Roberts (Jack C Hays High School, Texas) won the Extemp Tournament of Champions. [28]
In the 2020–2021 season Kay Rollins (The Potomac School, Virginia) won the Montgomery Bell Round Robin, the Tournament of Champions, [29] the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, and the NSDA Points Race in Extemp. [30] Mukta Dharmapurikar (Durham Academy, North Carolina) won the Extemp Tournament of Champions and [31] the Extemper's Bible National Points Race. [32] Ananth Veluvali (Edina High School, Minnesota) won the NCFL Grand National Championship. [33] Pranav Pattatathunaduvil (Plano West Sr. High School, Texas) won the NSDA National Championship in International Extemp. [34] Laurel Holley (Riverside High School, South Carolina) won the NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Extemp Central National Points Race was not held that season. Extemp Central did not release standings for the 2020–2021 season. [35]
The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. It was formed as the National Forensic League in 1925 by Bruno Ernst Jacob.
Lincoln–Douglas debate is a type of one-on-one competitive debate practiced mainly in the United States at the high school level. It is sometimes also called values debate because the format traditionally places a heavy emphasis on logic, ethical values, and philosophy. The Lincoln–Douglas debate format is named for the 1858 Lincoln–Douglas debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, because their debates focused on slavery and the morals, values, and logic behind it. LD debates are used by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) competitions, and also widely used in related debate leagues such as the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association, the National Catholic Forensic League, the National Educational Debate Association, the Texas University Interscholastic League, Texas Forensic Association, Stoa USA and their affiliated regional organizations.
The Ohio High School Speech League (OHSSL) is the body that organizes high school forensic competition in the state of Ohio. The OHSSL provides all of the National Forensic League events, but also provides several other events including Declamation. In the 2001-2002 season, Impromptu Speaking was added as an experimental event. The following year Impromptu was made an official OHSSL event. Following the 2013-2014 season, Impromptu was removed as an OHSSL event. OHSSL also offers many other common events such as debate and IE events such as International and United States Extemporaneous Speaking, Duo Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, and Original Oratory. Each of the state districts takes part in a district tournament, called "Littles", where a set number of people can move on to compete in the State Championship.
Policy debate is an American form of debate competition in which teams of two usually advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government. It is also referred to as cross-examination debate because of the 3-minute questioning period following each constructive speech. Evidence presentation is a crucial part of policy debate. The main argument being debated during a round is to change or not change the status quo. When a team explains why their solvency is greater than the opposition's, they compare advantages. One team’s job is to argue that the resolution— the statement that we should make some specific change to a national or international problem —is a good idea. Affirmative teams generally present a plan as a proposal for implementation of the resolution. On the other hand, the Negative teams present arguments against the implementation of the resolution. In a single round of debate competition, each person gives two speeches. The first speech each person gives is called a “constructive” speech, because it is the speech when the first person of the team speaks positively, presenting the team's main idea without rebuttals that have not occurred, presents the basic arguments they will make throughout the debate. The second speech is called a “rebuttal”, because this is the speech where each person tries to rebut the arguments made by the other team, while using their own arguments to try to persuade the judge to vote for their team. The Affirmative has to persuade the judge to vote for the resolution, while the Negative has to persuade the judge the Negative's position is a better idea.
Dramatic Interpretation is an event in National Speech and Debate Association high school forensics competitions. In the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Catholic Forensic League, the event is combined with Humorous Interpretation to create the Dramatic Performance event. It consists of a piece from any published work, edited to fit within a 10-minute span with a 30-second grace period.
The National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) is a speech and debate league that was formed in 1951. It is organized into regions that correspond to Roman Catholic dioceses. Member schools include both public and parochial high schools. The NCFL recruits member schools in both the United States and Canada. As of January, 2011, there were 65 active dioceses with NCFL leagues. The IRS recognizes the NCFL as an organization eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable donations.
Congressional Debate is a competitive interscholastic high school debate event in the United States. The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) and many state associations and national invitational tournaments offer Congressional Debate as an event. Each organization and tournament offers its own rules, although the National Speech and Debate Association has championed standardization since 2007, when it began to ask its districts to use one of a number of procedures for qualification to its National Tournament.
Individual events in speech include public speaking, limited preparation, acting and interpretation are a part of forensics competitions. These events do not include the several different forms of debate offered by many tournaments. These events are called individual events because they tend to be done by one person unlike debate which often includes teams. This distinction however is not entirely accurate any more given the addition of duo interpretation events and forms of single person debate. Competitive speech competitions and debates comprise the area of forensics. Forensics leagues have a number of speech events, generally determined by geographical region or league preference. While there are several key events that have been around a long time, there are several experimental events around the country every year that can be limited to individual tournaments. Forensics leagues in the United States includes the National Speech and Debate Association, the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association, the American Forensics Association, the National Forensics Association, the Interstate Oratorical Association and Stoa USA. Organized competitions are held at the high-school and collegiate level. Outside of the rules for each event provided by the individual leagues, there are several cultural norms within each region that are not written into law but are almost always followed. Rules for time limits vary by event and by individual tournaments, but there are penalties in every event for exceeding the time limits though the severity of the penalty widely varies.
Original Oratory is a competitive event in the National Speech and Debate Association, Stoa USA, National Catholic Forensic League, and other high school forensic competitions in which competitors deliver an original, factual speech on a subject of their choosing. Though the rules for the category change from organization to organization, a speech must generally be written and memorized by the performer and should be no more than ten minutes in length, and at most only 150 words can be quoted. The finished speech must be approved by the National Speech and Debate Association. This speech is frequently highly persuasive and is normally about a slightly controversial topic. An orator is given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of development and presentation.
Public forum debate is a form of competitive debate where debaters use their evidence and impacts to outweigh the benefits and harms of the opposing side. The topics for public forum have to do with current-day events relating to public policy. Debaters work in pairs of two, and speakers alternate for every speech. It is primarily competed by middle and high school students, but college teams exist as well. Invented in the US, public forum is one of the most prominent American debate events, alongside Policy debate and Lincoln-Douglas debate; it is also practiced in China and India, and has been recently introduced to Romania. Individuals give short speeches that are interspersed with 3 minute "Crossfire" sections, questions and answers between opposed debaters. The winner is determined by a judge who also serves as a referee. The debate centers on advocating or rejecting a position, "resolve", or "resolution", which is usually a proposal of a potential solution to a current events issue. Public Forum is designed to be accessible to the average citizen.
Parliamentary style debate, colloquially oftentimes just Parliamentary debate, is a formal framework for debate used in debating societies, academic debate events and competitive debate. It has its roots in parliamentary procedure and develops differently in different countries as a result.
Impromptu speaking is a speech that a person delivers without predetermination or preparation. The speaker is most commonly provided with their topic in the form of a quotation, but the topic may also be presented as an object, proverb, one-word abstract, or one of the many alternative possibilities. While specific rules and norms vary with the organization and level of competition, the speeches tend to follow basic speech format and cover topics that are both humorous and profound.
The Texas Forensic Association (TFA) is an organization that provides and regulates competition in speech and debate (forensics) for Texas high school students. The association authorizes forensics competitions nearly every weekend in Texas for the duration of the forensics season, which lasts from early August until the end of February, with the State competition typically in the first or second week of March.
Grand National Speech and Debate Tournament is the premier public speaking event of the National Catholic Forensic League. It is held annually in the United States over Memorial Day weekend. One can qualify for the tournament by performing sufficiently well in a local qualifying tournament.
Westminster High School is a public high school located in Westminster, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Carroll County Public Schools system.
Savannah High School is a public secondary school in Savannah, Missouri, United States serving grades 9 to 12.
The Tournament of Champions (TOC) is a national high school speech and debate tournament held at the University of Kentucky every year in a weekend in April. Tournament of Champions is considered to be the national championship of the “National Circuit", and is one of the most prestigious and competitive American high school speech and debate tournaments. Tournament of Champions currently holds competition in Policy debate, Lincoln–Douglas debate, Public Forum debate, Congressional Debate, World Schools Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Oral Interpretation, and Program Oral Interpretation.
Extemporaneous commentary is a branch of normal extemporaneous speaking, an area of competition in high school forensics. Students participating in extemporaneous commentary are given 20 minutes to prepare a five-minute speech on a topic relevant to modern politics. Students in commentary deliver their speeches sitting down, usually on the opposite side of a table from the judge(s). Students are score based on oration skills, speech organization, and use of sources and are ranked by the judges in comparison to the other competitors who give speeches in the same room.
Stoa USA, also referred to as Stoa, is a Christian homeschool forensics organization in the United States. It is one of the four major national high school forensics organizations: the others are the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL), and the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA).
The American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament (AFA-NST) is an intercollegiate, individual events based forensics tournament held in conjunction with the first Saturday in April, beginning on the prior Friday and continuing through the subsequent Monday. In comparison to National Forensic Association Nationals, another prominent college-level individual events national tournament, the AFA-NST has significantly more stringent qualification procedures and a smaller, but more exclusive field of competition. The AFA-NST represents the culmination of the forensics season for many collegiate speech teams.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)