Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp, or EXT) is a limited-preparation speech event based on research and original analysis. Extemporaneous Speaking is a competitive speaking event in the United States in both high school and college forensics competition. In Extempemporaneous Speech, competitors prepare for thirty minutes on a question related to current events and then give a seven-minute speech responding to that question.[1]
Format of the Event
Structure Of A Speech
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.[2]
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.[2]
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.[2]
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.[2]
Delivery
During a speech, the "speakers 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.[3]
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.
Preparation
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.[2]
Types Of Extemp
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.[4]
Competition
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).[5]
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 are also a major round-robins, 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
Rankings for High School Extemporaneous Speaking are mainly maintained by The Extemper's Bible.[6]
National Champions
In American High School Extemporaneous Speaking the Montgomery Bell Round Robin, Tournament of Champions, Extemp Tournament of Champions, National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp, NSDA National Championship in International Extemp, NSDA Points Race in Extemp, and Extempers Bible Points Race, are all considered to be national championships or of equivalent level. The student(s) with the most national championships can also be considered the cumulative national champion.
2020-2021
In the 2020-2021 season Kay Rollins (The Potomac School, Virginia) has won the Montgomery Bell Round Robin, the Tournament of Champions,[7] the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, and is leading in the NSDA Points Race in Extemp[8] and the Extempers Bible Points Race.[9] Mukta Dharmapurikar (Durham Academy, North Carolina) won the Extemp Tournament of Champions.[10] Laurel Holley (Riverside High School, South Carolina) won the NSDA National Championship in United States Extemp.[11] Pranav Pattatathunaduvil (Plano West Sr. High School, Texas) won the NSDA National Championship in International Extemp.[11]
References
- ^ "Competition Events". National Speech & Debate Association. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ a b c d e "NSDA Competition Guide" (PDF).
- ^ "Public Speaking Strategies". saylordotorg.github.io. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ "Tabroom.com". www.tabroom.com. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
- ^ "High School Unified Manual" (PDF).
- ^ "National Points Race". The Extemper's Bible. 2020-08-16. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "Tabroom.com". www.tabroom.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "Rankings". National Speech & Debate Association. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "National Points Race". The Extemper's Bible. 2020-08-16. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "SpeechWire Tournament Services - Forensics Tournament Software - Speech, Debate, Congress". postings.speechwire.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ a b "National Speech And Debate Tournament Results" (PDF).