Speech Contest

2023 FNSBSD Speech Contest
Location: Denali Elementary School
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Check-in:  9:00 a.m.
Event Start Time:  9:15 a.m.  

Finalist Information Form Due:  April 14  (send to Becky Zaverl via Google Form)

The District Speech Contest is open to students in grades 4-8. The four categories for the speech contest are:  extemporaneous, original oration, serious interpretation, and humorous interpretation. 

Speech Categories 

• Extemporaneous: In this category the student is given three topics the day before he/she is to speak. The topics will be current events that revolve around local, state, and international subjects. The topics will be sent to the sponsor teacher in each school in time to be given to participants(s) twenty-four hours prior to delivery. The length of this speech must be 1-3 minutes. 
• Original Oration: In this category the student is to present a speech with original text created by the speaker. It may be serious or humorous in nature. The speech can be an original short story, poetry or about a topic that is of interest to the student. The length of this speech must be 3-5 minutes. 
• Serious (Dramatic) Interpretation: In this category the student is to present a speech, poetry, a short story or prose that has been written and published by someone other than the student. The subject must be of a serious nature, although some humor may be included. It should be delivered verbally as it was written, without changes. The interpretation comes in the use of vocal inflection, posturing, gestures and other aspects of public speaking noted under the category "delivery' on the evaluation form.  The presentation must include credit given to the author and must be between 3-5 minutes. 
• Humorous Interpretation: In this category the student is to present a speech, poetry, a short story or prose that has been written and published by someone other than the student. It must be of a humorous nature. It should be delivered verbally as it was written, without changes. The interpretation comes in the use of vocal inflection, posturing, gestures and other aspects of public speaking noted under the category "delivery" on the evaluation form.  The presentation must include credit given to the author and must be between 3-5 minutes.

Below, you will find some useful information that may be helpful in guiding your future activity planning:

• School participation form (to be filled out by the school)
• School Finalists - Email the names of students to Becky Zaverl.  Your school may send one student to participate in each of the four categories and a fifth from overall. A total of five students may represent your school at the district contest.