Contest Rules and Information

Rules and Information

Registration Instructions

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U.S. OPEN SPEECH CONTEST

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Contest Rules and Information

Location: UT Dallas

Richardson, TX 75080

Welcome to the U.S. Open Speech Contest, taking place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at UT Dallas in Richardson, TX. Below are the rules and information to guide you as you prepare for the contest:

Participants must attend the briefing at their designated date and time, as listed below:

Group 1 (6 to 9 years): Storytelling at 2 pm
Group 2 (10 to 13 years): Persuasive at 9 am
Group 3 (14 to 17 years): Impromptu at 4 pm

2. All participants must follow the theme of the contest.

3. Age and time requirements are as follows:

Group 1 (6 to 9 years): Topic is Storytelling with a time requirement of 1 to 3 minutes (must speak for at least 1 minute to qualify and will be disqualified at 3 minutes and 31 seconds)

Group 2 (10 to 13 years): Topic is Persuasive Speech with a time requirement of 3 to 4 minutes (must speak for at least 3 minutes to qualify and will be disqualified at 4 minutes and 31 seconds)

Group 3 (14 to 17 years): Topic is Impromptu Speech with a time requirement of 2 to 3 minutes (must speak for at least 2 minutes to qualify and will be disqualified at 3 minutes and 31 seconds.

4. All participants are required to join at their designated time.

Contestants will receive their speaking order before the contest starts. Group 1 and Group 2 can email their speech title in advance at us.speechcontest@gmail.com along with their name and group.

5. Participants must speak from the designated speaking area and meet the speaking time requirement.

6. Timers will use green, yellow, and red cards to help keep track of timing during speeches.

7. Winners will be announced after all participants in the group have presented their speeches and judges have had time to evaluate scores.

8. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

9. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place winners in category will receive certificates and trophies with their placement.

10. Participants are not allowed to take pictures or record any part of the competition or go live on Facebook or YouTube. Not following this rule may lead to immediate disqualification.

11.Parents and friends please do not take pictures or videos of the event except for your participant when he/she is performing.

12.The judges' decision will be final.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the organizers of the contest.

Good luck to all participants!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the frequently asked questions section for the U.S. Open Speech Contest! Here are some common inquiries we receive:

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the speech contest?
A: Any student from anywhere in the U.S. is welcome to participate.

Q: Will participants be given a theme to talk about?
A: Yes, participants will be provided with a theme and must follow it in order to qualify for the contest.

Q: How can I prepare for the speech contest?
A: Ensure that you are aware of the age group you are competing in, look up the theme for your age group, and prepare accordingly.

Q: What will be the judging criteria for the contest?
A: The contest will be judged based on the quality of content, delivery, confidence, clarity, use of props, and body language.

Q: Can I present my speech using Google Slides, Power-Point, or other software?
A: No, the focus is on your stage presentation, not digital aids. You may bring in props, pictures, posters, etc. to display, but please prepare your speech accordingly.

Q: What if I cannot participate after registering for the U.S. Open Speech Contest?
A: Unfortunately, contest registrations are non-refundable. However, all proceeds are donated to Vibha, a non-profit organization supporting children's education.

If you still have more questions, please send them to us.speechcontest@gmail.com and include your phone number. We hope that you have a great time participating in the contest and remember that our goal is for you to learn and have fun! Please note that the judges' decision will be final.