Senior Ilsa Lemke gives a demonstration of “Extemporaneous Speaking” from this year’s Speech Team season.
According to the Minnesota State High School League, the Extemporaneous Speech should be an original synthesis of current fact and opinion on a topic drawn by the contestant. Speakers may choose from either International or U.S. topics. • The goal of this activity is the encouragement of extensive reading, understanding of many subjects, and the development of reasoned, supportable positions on current U.S. and international issues in the news. Prompts shall require persuasive rather than informative speeches. The contestant is judged on strict adherence to the question drawn, well-chosen information relative to the question drawn, organization of the material and effective delivery. At a competition, speakers draw questions and have 30 minutes to prepare their speech. A contestant may use one side of one 3″ x 5″ note card during the delivery of the speech.
Video by Maya Giefer Johnson.