ELITE Primary Academic Competition
Rules and Guidelines for the Panyarat High School Speech Competition
1. Speeches must be original and written by the student. However, consultation with teachers,
counselors, or other resources is permitted.
2. The content of the speech is restricted to students presenting on the given themes. There are 5 to
choose from.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How water is so important
The most valuable new technology
The importance of friendship
Our changing world
The importance of a balanced diet
3. Speeches should be prepared in advance by the student. Speeches may not be read from a
manuscript, notes are allowed but only five 4x6 note cards will be allowed.
4. Judges are looking for originality in regards to the topic chosen, language and vocabulary used and
supporting details.
5. Speeches must be approximately two (2) minutes in duration. A 30-second grace period will be
allowed. However, speeches shorter than 1 minute or longer than 3 minutes will be deducted 5
points from their total score.
6. During the competition judges will flash warnings at 1.30 (one clap), 2 minutes (two claps), and 2
minutes 20 seconds—(three claps).
7. Costumes and props of any kind are not permitted.
8. Students must be present to receive an award.
9. Information is not allowed to be plagiarized. Please give credit and cite any sources that are used.
10. Only one entry per team, per school. The English element of the event has three (3) sections;
speech, writing and spelling. A team must field one person in each event.
Evaluation Criteria for the Speech Competition
The following is the grading criteria established for the persuasive speech. These include:
1. Introduction: (1) Unique or different opening; (2) States the topic clearly; (3) Relates the topic to the
audience; (4) Provides a clear preview/thesis for the audience to follow.
2.Body: (1) Topics are logically organised; (2) Statement of belief in the topic is given; (3) Topic and
main ideas are clearly presented; (4) Support for main idea is presented; (5) Counterargument is
addressed.
3. Research: (1) Sources cited in the body of the speech; (2) Sources used are appropriate for the
topic; (3) Sources are recent and topical; (4) Sources are diverse demonstrating research;
4. Style of Delivery: (1) Poised, confident, enthusiastic; (2) Voice appropriate to topic and audience;
(3) Referred to notes infrequently; (4) Appeared to know and understand information; (5) Gestures
and movements were appropriate to topic.
5. Conclusion: (1) Summarizes main points; (2) Does not fade out, finishes strongly; (3) Ties back to
introduction; (4) Completion is well indicated
Speech Competition Assessment Criteria
5 = Agree 1 = Disagree
Name of speaker _______________________
# _________
Agree
Introduction
Disagree
Score
Interesting Opening
5 4 3 2 1
Topic of speech is clear
5 4 3 2 1
Audience engaged by speaker
5 4 3 2 1
Stated a clear thesis
5 4 3 2 1
Body
Score
Topics are well organized
5 4 3 2 1
Main ideas are clearly presented
5 4 3 2 1
Support is given for statements
5 4 3 2 1
More than one perspective is given
5 4 3 2 1
Research
Score
Research on the topic is evident
5 4 3 2 1
Sources are cited in the speech
5 4 3 2 1
Sources are varied and topical
5 4 3 2 1
Sources are appropriate
5 4 3 2 1
Style
School/Team _______________ ____
Score
Poised and confident
5 4 3 2 1
Voice is appropriate to the topic
5 4 3 2 1
Reference to notes is infrequent
5 4 3 2 1
Comments
Section Total _____ /20
Comments
Section Total _____ /20
Comments
Section Total _____ /20
Comments
Knowledgeable on the subject
5 4 3 2 1
Section Total _____ /25
Gestures and movement enhanced the speech
Conclusion
5 4 3 2 1
Score
Summarizes main points
5 4 3 2 1
Finishes with a strong voice
5 4 3 2 1
Links back to introduction
5 4 3 2 1
Comments
Section Total _____ /15
Total = _______/100