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President's Tip of the Week

International Speech Contest Criteria
(11/10/09)

Speeches that win the International Speech Contest tend to be inspirational or motivational in nature, though the basic topic can be any of your choice. It might be helpful for you to see the judges’ criteria as you prepare your speech for competition to see why inspirational speeches tend to win. Here is how it breaks down:

Content: 50%

  • Speech Development (structure, organization, support material): 20 points
    This is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body and conclusion.
  • Effectiveness (achievement of purpose, interest, reception): 15 points
    This is measured in part by the audience’s reception of the speech, but a large part is the subjective judgment of how the speech came across.
  • Speech Value (ideas, logic, original thought): 15 points
    This justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the speaker has made a contribution to their thinking. The ideas should be important ones, although this does not preclude a humorous presentation of them.
Delivery: 30%
  • Physical (appearance, body language): 10 points
    Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speaker’s appearance should reinforce the speech and body language should support points through gestures, expressions, and body positioning.
  • Voice (flexibility, volume): 10 points
    Should be flexible and should have a variety of rate and volume.
  • Manner (directness, assurance, enthusiasm): 10 points
    The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.

Language: 20%

  • Appropriateness (to speech purpose and audience): 10 points
    Refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and should promote clear understanding of thoughts.
  • Correctness (grammar, pronunciation, word selection): 10 points
    Ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said.
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