Logo

Description automatically generated

JUDGING PLATFORM

 

Back to the Main Judging Speech Events Instructions

 

 

What is Platform Speaking?

You present an informative, persuasive, or humorous speech on a topic of your choice.
Your speech should be a written/typed manuscript that you have memorized or that you use notes very minimally when you present.
Your speech should include source citations, clever and engaging wording,
and have a purpose to inform, persuade or entertain your audience.

 

Timing

Elementary students speak for up to 5 minutes.

Middle School students speak for up to 7 minutes.

High School students speak for up to 10 minutes.

If a student is 30+ seconds over time, you MUST stop them and they get ranked 1 lower.

 

What’s in a typical Platform Speech?

Hook (catchy intro to get attention on the topic)

Link (connection your hook to transition to your thesis).

Thesis (main point/message speaker wants to make—can be informative or persuasive or humorous)

Roadmap (The speaker previews the 2-3 points/examples they will address to answer the question.)

Background- explain your topic, what is it and give a history of people’s understanding/actual history of it. “To understand this, let’s look at _________”

First point- Speaker discusses their first point (usually interesting info or something to make the audience care about this topic such as stories, expert opinion, studies, etc. “First, ______”

Second point- Speaker discusses their second point (usually new information/combatting misconceptions, again with interesting info or something to make the audience care about this topic such as stories, expert opinion, studies, etc.).

Speakers may have a third and fourth point.

The speaker then concludes, usually summing up, showing they’ve proven their thesis/show its importance,
and finishing up, often referring back to the attention getter and reiterating the thesis.

 

Platform Rules

1. Contestants may remain in the room.

2. Speakers should at most minimally look at the manuscript of their speech (on paper or an electronic device).

 

Feedback you can give

INTRODUCTION

___ I liked your introduction (state why)

___ Your intro needs to be longer-less abrupt

___ Your intro needs to be shorter-more concise.

___ Your intro needs more zip to increase interest

___ You need to state or improve your thesis statement

___ You should provide an preview of your speech’s main points

THE BODY OF THE SPEECH

___ The body of your speech is good (state why)

___ You need to state your main points for clearer organization

___ Your main points need to support your thesis more clearly

___ You need more interesting examples, stories, etc.

___ You need more effective use of language

___ You need stronger support for your points. Use experts, quotations, statistics, stronger reasons, etc.

___ You need to address this issue/argument

___ Change your intro to fit the info in the body of your speech

CONCLUSION OF THE SPEECH

___ Don’t repeat to take up time (just finish)

___ I liked your conclusion (state why to the right)

___ Your conclusion needs to be longer/less abrupt

___ Your conclusion needs to be shorter/more concise

___ Your conclusion should not cover entirely new material

OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE SPEECH

___ Your speech is good as a whole (state why)

___ You need stronger analysis and more insight in your speech

___ You need to provide stronger support for your position on the topic

 

DELIVERY

___ Good delivery

___ Cut out the ums and uhs

___ Read your notes less

___ Cut repeated words ok/like

___ Use better eye contact

___ Use more natural words

___ Look at the audience

___ Use more polished words

___ Work on your hand gestures

___ Speak more quickly

___ Work on your body posture

___ Speak slower/use pauses

___ Don’t lean on table/podium

___ Pronounce words clearer

___ Don’t pace during speech

___ Use voice better to get across the meaning

___ Don’t rock

___ Use more energy in voice

___ Move at key points

___ Speak louder

___ Stand closer to your judge

___ Speak softer

___ Stand further away

___ Use more natural delivery

___ Avoid sighing/breathing loud

___ Reduce set tone—vary your voice

 

 

Back to the Main Judging Speech Events Instructions