Extemporaneous Speaking - Template-for-proper-Judging-Extemp-Guide - Judge Instructions

Q: What are the preparation and speech-time rules for each Extemp round?

In Round One, students prepare for five minutes a five-minute impromptu speech. In Round Two and Round Three, students prepare for 20 minutes a seven-minute speech and cannot access the internet.

Q: What should the judge do when the student arrives in the competition room?

The student greets the judge and passes over the comment sheet already filled with their name, code, and question. The judge may provide a time signal, then starts the timer when the student is ready.

Q: How are speeches evaluated and when is a speaker unrankable?

Judges rate speakers on a one-to-six scale, with first place reserved for the best performance. A 30-second grace period applies; if the speech ends more than 30 seconds past the limit, the student cannot be ranked in first place.

Q: What principles should guide a judge’s notes, behavior, and feedback?

Judges should listen for a direct answer, avoid personal bias, and base decisions on evidence and logical reasoning. Feedback should be descriptive, specific about strengths and improvement areas, and recorded on the comment sheet when needed.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Gloria

Guide for judging extemporaneous speaking rounds, explaining how students select prompts, preparation time, and the required speech structure. Provides detailed judge procedures for room reporting, timing, comment sheet handling, and performance management across rounds, including rules for semi-final and final tournaments. Covers evaluation approach, ranking scale, grace period, and speaker pacing, plus clear judging DOs and DON’Ts and how to deliver constructive, descriptive feedback aligned to evidence and logical reasoning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatDOCX

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

How to Judge Extemporaneous Speaking

Round Process and Preparation Timing

Debate Structure, Timing, and Summary

Judging Procedure and Ranking

Judging DOs and DON’Ts

Giving Feedback on the Comments Sheet

How to Judge Extemporaneous Speaking Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp) is an original synthesis of current fact and opinion on a designated topic. Extemp showcases a student’s understanding and analysis of important political, economic, and cultural issues. The best speech combines clear thinking, good speaking, and interesting presentation to establish a definite point of view about the chosen prompt. All speeches must be longer than three minutes or round does not count. In the first round of Extemp, students will select a word or phrase. They have five minutes to prepare a five-minute impromptu speech on the topic. Their commentary may be light-hearted or serious. It may not include references to cited sources. Past topics have been: pumpkin spice, bombogenesis, Philly Special, Keeping Up with… In Round Two and Round Three, students will select a question about current issues in the United States and the world. They have 20 minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech, and may use sources that they brought with them (newspapers, magazines). They cannot access the Internet. Past questions have been: How can the Paris Climate Agreement move forward without the United States? Debate Structure / Timing and Summary: During the regular season, there will be one judge assigned to each competition room. The judge should report to their respective room 15 minutes after the start of Round One and 20 minutes after the start of the Rounds Two and Three (marked on the ballot). Meanwhile, students will be in the Prep Room, drawing their topics, preparing their speeches, and awaiting their turns. Once the student reports to the competition room, they should greet the judge and pass over their comment sheet (blue/green) where they have already filled in their name, code, and question. The student may request a time signal. When the student is ready, the judge should start the timer. *Note: During the semi-final and final tournament, students may NOT use notecards. The student should address the question as worded on the draw slip and support their position with evidence. The judge may have limited experience with the topic; therefore, the student must provide background and context. The student should avoid using stereotypes and loaded language but instead rely on logic to validate their point of view. The structure of an extemporaneous speech is predictable: the student begins with an introduction that hooks the audience’s attention, recites the question and their answer, and states a thesis that previews the speech as a whole. Students then organize the supporting information into major points and sub-points. Students will often conclude by restating the question, their thesis, and a concluding statement. When the student finishes their speech, record their time on the comment sheet. The judge is invited to share feedback. The judge may ask the student to leave the room for a moment first, so that they judge can reflect on the performance, and then invite the student back into the competition room. Students will arrive at the competition room at approximately seven-minute intervals. At the end of each round, the judge will evaluate the speakers and rate them on a scale from one to six, with the best performance receiving the one ranking. You do not need to assign points. There is a 30-second grace period; a student whose speech is over the time limit by <30 seconds cannot be ranked in first place. Judging DOs: Do listen for a direct answer to the question or prompt. You should not have to “figure out” whether the student addressed the topic or not. Do make notes as you listen, on the back of the comment sheet, if you like. These can help you justify the ranking or provide feedback later. Do use your smartphone to time the speech, but be sure that your ringer is on vibrate. Do give a time signal if the speaker asks. The most common signals are at two- and one-minute remaining. Do rank speakers as you go. As students deliver their speeches,

FAQs

What are the preparation and speech-time rules for each Extemp round?

In Round One, students prepare for five minutes a five-minute impromptu speech. In Round Two and Round Three, students prepare for 20 minutes a seven-minute speech and cannot access the internet.

What should the judge do when the student arrives in the competition room?

The student greets the judge and passes over the comment sheet already filled with their name, code, and question. The judge may provide a time signal, then starts the timer when the student is ready.

How are speeches evaluated and when is a speaker unrankable?

Judges rate speakers on a one-to-six scale, with first place reserved for the best performance. A 30-second grace period applies; if the speech ends more than 30 seconds past the limit, the student cannot be ranked in first place.

What principles should guide a judge’s notes, behavior, and feedback?

Judges should listen for a direct answer, avoid personal bias, and base decisions on evidence and logical reasoning. Feedback should be descriptive, specific about strengths and improvement areas, and recorded on the comment sheet when needed.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Gloria