STATE EXPOSITORY SPEAKING  BALLOT

 

Round _____                Section _____                      Student Code ______________________________

 

Judge’s Name ______________________    School _____________________________

 

Topic ____________________________________        Length of Speech _______________

 

 

Please comment on the following areas. The questions may be used as guides.

See reverse for OSAA rules.

 

Introduction

Did the introduction clearly state the topic and increase your interest? Is the thesis statement evident?

 

Content

Was the speech clearly organized? Were there effective transitions? Was the topic choice interesting? When used, were sources appropriately cited? Was the word choice discriminating?

 

Visual Aids

If used, were visual aids neat and professional? Did they enhance the speech? Were 

they referred to at appropriate times?

 

Delivery

Was the speaker direct and communicative? Were unmotivated gestures, random movement, and artificial vocal variety avoided? Did the speaker connect effectively with the audience?

 

Total Effectiveness

What was the total impression of the speech and speaker upon you, the critic, as compared to other speakers in the round?

 

 

 

 

 

CIRCLE THE NUMBER BELOW THAT INDICATES THE RATING OF THIS SPEAKER. TIES ARE PERMITTED.

 

50-49-48-47-46-45   (Excellent)

 

44-43-42-41-40-39-38-37  (Good)

 

36-35-34-33-32-31 (Fair)

 

RANK THE SPEAKER. NO TIES.

 

1ST           2ND                3RD                4TH                5TH                6TH

 

OSAA EXPOSITORY SPEAKING RULES

Subject. The speaker is responsible for choosing an appropriate subject and may not use more than 100 quoted words including all short words such as "a", "an", "the", etc.

General Purpose. The basic purpose of the speech is to inform.

Nature. Argumentative, persuasive, or entertaining material may be used but only to illustrate, enliven, or clarify the information. If the emphasis is on any or all of these and information serves to develop them, the speech shall be considered to fall outside of the expository purpose. Materials should be represented in a logical manner in order to maintain a high level of interest by the listener.

Delivery. There should be an absence of marked defects in the mechanics of speech - poise, use and quality of voice, enunciation, fluency, bodily expressiveness. These factors should contribute to the holding of the listeners' interest.

Length. Eight minutes maximum with 30 seconds of grace is allowed. Time signals may be given at the speaker’s request; however, presentation within the time length is ultimately the responsibility of the speaker. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if a stopwatch was not used for timing.

Preparation and Notes. The speech is to be prepared in advance. No notes or manuscripts shall be allowed.

Visual Aids. These may not be in the central focus of the speech but must be used only to supplement the exposition. Animated visual aids, which are to be interpreted as any projected images, are prohibited.

Communication among judges during the round. Judges must make independent decisions. Judges shall not discuss decisions with other judges prior to turning in ballots. Timekeepers may share the length of a given speech only. If questions arise regarding the rules or conduct of an event, judges shall ask at Speech State Championships headquarters.