RULES FOR ON THE SPOT

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• The goal of the event is to take a topic and develop a meaningful presentation with minimal preparation.

• Judges will have a list of topics for the round.

• The speaker must speak on one of the topics drawn. The speech must be an original work, prepared on the spot.

• No outside sources or material may be brought into the competition room other than blank paper.

• The speaker may write notes during prep time, but written notes cannot be used during the speech.

• During the presentation, the speaker may only hold the chosen topic in hand. No notes may be written on the chosen topic paper.

• The speaker must state the chosen topic early in the speech. A one rank penalty is required for failure to do so.

• The speaker may approach the topic creatively, but the chosen topic must be the central theme of thespeech and not peripheral to it. A one rank penalty is required for failure to adhere to the chosen topic.

• Speakers are permitted to express opinions that are contrary to those of the judge.

• Time limit: 2-minute preparation time; 5-minute maximum speaking time; no minimum time. There is no official penalty for time, and judges may use discretion when weighing a speaker’s time into their ranking. Unused preparation time may not be added to the speaking time.