Speech Competition
Every year, the Department of Communication hosts the Speech Competition on campus. All Indiana Tech students (Traditional Day, CPS, and online) are encouraged to compete, and industry professionals judge events. This year’s winners will receive flat screen TVs and Amazon Fire tablets. Competitors should dress professionally.
This year’s competition will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in various classrooms in the Snyder Academic Center. Competitors must arrive by 9:30 a.m. at the Snyder Atrium. First round begins at 10 a.m., and the Awards Ceremony should begin at 3 p.m. Free breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
Participants must select one or more event listed below and email Dr. Alicia Wireman, akwireman@indianatech.edu, with their name and event(s) to register. Students can compete in multiple events.
The last day to register is February 21, 2024.
Scoring
Each competitor will participate in three rounds of his/her selected event(s), and the judge ranks the competitors in each round. All of the competitors’ scores are tabulated to determine placements and the winners.
Prizes
1st Place: First-place winners in each event will receive a flatscreen TV and a first-place ribbon.
2nd Place: Second-place winners in each event will receive an Amazon Fire tablet and a second-place ribbon.
3rd-6th Place: The remaining placements in each event will receive a ribbon.
Speech Events
Original Oratory
In this event, competitors deliver an original, 10-12 minute speech on a topic of their choice. The intent is to persuade the audience on a topic of significance. This event allows students to present their voice and passion on a topic.
Participants should craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals, verbally citing sources and materials appropriately. The speech is delivered from memory, but students may use a visual to complement their speech.
Students are judged on poise, posture, articulation, voice, speech content, time, eye contact, and non-verbal communication.
Example of Original Oratory:
Impromptu
Impromptu is an event where participants are given a topic, and they have 3 minutes to brainstorm, outline, and deliver a speech. Participants are not allowed to use technology during the round, and the speech is given without notes. Using an introduction, body, and conclusion, the speech can be light-hearted or serious. Impromptu speeches range from 4-6 minutes.
Impromptu allows a competitor to form a thesis on a prompt and use supporting information for that thesis.
Students are judged on poise, posture, articulation, voice, speech content, time, eye contact, and non-verbal communication.
Example of Impromptu:
Radio
Radio is an event where participants are given a script, and they have 3 minutes to prepare and edit a reading over that script. The reading is given in a sequestered room via radio broadcast equipment while the judge hears the reading from another room. The reading should be upbeat and appealing.
Since the reading will differ in each round, participants must meet the time requirements of each reading. Readings range from 2-5 minutes.
Radio is for those individuals who do not like to present at the front of the room. This event allows students to compete without having to give a formal speech in front of an audience.
Students are judged on articulation, pitch, tone, volume, appeal, and time.