World Universities
Public Speaking
Championships
Rules
(As passed at Worlds Council on 1st Jan 2001)
Adapted from: World Debating Website
http:www:flynn.debating.net
World Universities
Public Speaking Championships Rules
(As passed at Worlds Council on 1st Jan 2001)
Part 1— Introduction
1.1 Format:
1.1.1 The competition shall consist of preferably four rounds:
(a) The semi-finals shall be contested by the top twelve competitors.
(b) The final shall be contested by the top six competitors.
1.2 Speech Length
1.2.1 Speakers should deliver their speeches within the time limits set down below:
(a) Speeches in Rounds 1 and 2 should be between 3 and 4 minutes in length.
(b) Speeches in semi-finals should be between 4 and 5 minutes in length
(c) Speeches in the final should be between 5 and 6 minutes in length
1.3 Preparation
1.3.1 Speeches in one of the opening two rounds shall be on an impromptu topic, and on
a pre-prepared topic in the other
1.3.2 In the impromptu rounds speakers will be given their topic immediately before the
preceding competitor's speech, i.e. 3-5 minutes beforehand.
1.3.3 The topic for the pre-prepared round will be publicized at the beginning of the
week, including at registration and at the main debaters' and adjudicators' briefings.
1.3.4 Topics for the semi-finals and final may be impromptu or announced in advance, at
the discretion of the competition organizers.
1.4 Timing
1.4.1 The timing of speeches is primarily the responsibility of the individual
speaker. Speakers will be given a time signal (a single knock of the gavel) at the
beginning of the optimum speaking time and then again (a double knock) at the end of
the optimum speaking time.
1.4.2 Speakers should note that speeches concluding substantially below the first gavel
knock (more than 20 seconds early) or substantially after the second knock (more than 20
seconds late) will be penalised for poor time management.
Part 2— Topics
2.1 Choice of topics
2.1.1 Topics used in rounds of the Public Speaking Competition shall reflect the dignity
and integrity of the competition and shall encourage and demand those qualities in both
speakers and their speeches.
2.1.2 Topics may be selected by the hosts for their particular local or national
significance, but should in all cases be chosen with the international nature of the
competition in mind.
2.2 Types of topic
2.2.1 Topics may be worded in the same manner as motions for debate.
2.2.2 Topics may be formed of quotations, famous sayings, phrases or proverbs.
2.2.3 Topics may be formed of lines of poetry, prose, song lyric or dramatic literature.
2.2.4 Topics may consist of objects, artifacts or other physical material.
2.2.5 Topics may consist of visual materials such as projected slides, photographs,
artwork or other pictures.
2.2.6 Whatever form they take topics must offer speakers a clear and definite thematic
line along which the speech may be developed.
Part 3— Elements
3.2 Matter
3.1.1 Matter refers to the substance, content or material developed during a speech. It
includes the issue or issues that provide the thematic base of a speech, together with the
ideas, arguments, evidence and support developed during the speech.
3.1.2 Elements of matter include arguments, ideas, observations, propositions, statements
of opinion, facts, evidence, quotations, and examples of any kind.
3.1.3 Matter should be relevant to the topic, in so far as it is clearly linked to it and
developed in a clear and logical fashion.
3.1.4 Matter will be assessed in terms of its effectiveness, both in communicating the
speakers ideas, and supporting the speakers arguments.
3.1.5 Adjudicators should not allow bias to influence their assessment and should
disregard and specialist knowledge they may have on the subject.
3.2 Manner
3.2.1 Manner refers to the style and delivery of a speaker, together with the overall
structure of a speech.
3.2.2 Style may be characterized by a speaker’s persuasive skills, sincerity, confidence,
rapport with the audience and ability, where appropriate to generate an emotional or
intellectual response from them.
3.2.3 Elements of style include eye contact, voice modulation, hand gestures, language,
the use of notes, rhetorical style and confidence, humour, and any other elements which
enhances or detracts from the effectiveness of the speaker.
3.2.4 Use of humour should be rewarded by adjudicators where it is appropriate and
complements the content, presentation and flow of the speech.
3.2.5 Structure may be characterized as the prioritization of ideas and arguments, the
provision where appropriate or clear linkage between material, and effective allocation of
time.
3.2.6 Speeches should be structured in such a way as to optimize their effectiveness. This
should include an introduction, development of argument or ideas and summary.
3.2.7 Manner will be assessed in terms of its effectiveness in aiding the speaker's
communication, persuasiveness, and general presentation.
3.2.8 Adjudicators should be aware that at a World Championships there will be many
styles of public speaking that are appropriate and should not allow bias to influence their
assessment.
Part 4— Adjudication
4.1 Grading and marking of speakers.
4.1.1 Speakers should be assessed by adjudicators with the provisional award of a grade
or mark at the end of each speech.
4.1.2 Once all the speakers have left, adjudicators will confer and agree on the ranking or
the speakers from first to last. They should also agree on a grade for each speaker,
according to the following guidelines.
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A 90 - 100: Excellent to flawless
o Definitely finals material. The speaker makes an excellent
speech in almost every respect.
B 80-89: Above average to very good
o The speaker might be expected to break to the semifinals. A very good speech, possibly with some minor
weaknesses, hesitation or lack of confidence.
C 70 - 79 Average
o Unlikely to break to semi-finals. The speaker has the major
components of a speech in place, but also has major
weaknesses.
D 60 - 69 Below average
o The speech has serious flaws, may be poorly developed and
delivered, and only minor strengths.
E 50-59 Very Poor
o The speaker has fundamental weaknesses, and the speech is
badly delivered, irrelevant, hesitant, and makes little or no
connection with the audience.