In addition to all the general contest rules stated by North South Foundation, the following rules are applicable for Impromptu Speaking Competition.

1. There are 2 levels of competition for Impromptu Speaking:
   • IS1 (Junior): Grades 6, 7 and 8
   • IS3 (Senior): Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
2. A 1st rank winner at the National Finals of the North South Foundation IS3 (Senior) contest is not eligible for competing in this and future Impromptu Speaking contests conducted by the Foundation. A contestant who participated in a higher level bee cannot participate in a lower level bee in subsequent years.
Contest Procedure:
3. 10 contestants for the competition will be randomly selected and assigned to a zoom session. All the contestants must have a good laptop with camera, audio and mic. In each zoom session, there will be a chief judge, two associate judges, timer and zoom administrator will be present in addition to the contestants. All the contestants will be let inside the zoom session for the chief judge to read out the rules and other housekeeping information. Badge numbers will determine the order of the speakers.
4. After the rules are read, all the contestants will be moved to “waitroom”. Contestants will be allowed into zoom session as per the badge order. Contestant upon entry, must read the badge number and say name.
5. Chief Judge will ask each contestant, as they enter, whether they can see the timer, and hear the judge. Judges need to make sure they can see the contestants, hear them loud and clear. Contestants need to make sure they can see the timer, judges can hear you loud and clear. No recording allowed.
6. Chief judge will read the impromptu topic and repeats one more time. Contestants can ask the judge to repeat the topic only one more time. Contestants must start within 1 minute. (timer will display a running clock).
7. Same topic will be given to all. Contestants need to give 1-2 minutes impromptu speaking on the given topic. Timer in the zoom session will help with timing controls:
   • Start to 1 minute – NorthSouth logo background
   • 1 min to 1min 30 sec – Green background
   • 1 min 30 sec to 2:00 min – Yellow background
   • After 2:00 min – Red background
8. Speeches with less than 1 min and more than 2min 30 seconds will be disqualified (30 sec grace period). No penalty as long as the contestants meet the time requirements of 1min to 2min 30 seconds. Judges will take 1 minute to grade between the contestants.
Judging Rules:
9. Each contestant will be scored by a panel of three independent judges. Guidelines for judging criteria
10. The results of the Impromptu Speaking Contest will be announced right after the Contest.
Winners and Ranks:
11. Each speech will be scored by three independent judges. Based on the average scores of the three judges, winners will be determined. The 1st place winner shall be ahead by at least (.01) to be declared as the champion. In announcing the ranks 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the judges will follow these rules:
    • Announce Ranks 1, 2 and 3, if and only if there are at least 10 contestants;
    • Announce Ranks 1 and 2 ONLY, if there are 8 or 9 contestants;
    • Announce Rank 1 ONLY, if there are 5-7 contestants;
    • DO NOT announce any ranks if there are less than 5 contestants.
Tiebreaker Rules:
12. The tie-breaker rules apply ONLY if there are at least 5 or more contestants participating in a given center.
13. In case of a tie, the participant of lower (or lowest) grade will be the winner.
14. If there is still a tie among the contestants who are in the same grade, multiple winners will be declared sharing the same rank. When announcing joint winners, the following rules are used:
    • If two are tied for the 1st place, skip rank 2 and announce rank 3 for the third contestant.
    • If two or more are tied for the 2nd place, skip rank 3.
    • If three or more are tied for the 1st place, skip ranks 2 and 3.

IS1: In the 3 minutes provided, describe a project that you and your friends might undertake during the week of spring-break that will help a section of the community or individuals that are less fortunate?

IS3: Suppose you are the speech writer for your favorite candidate for the Presidential elections in 2008. What would be your speech to convince voters on why they should vote for you?

• National Student Speakers Association (NSSA): Resources
• http://www.school-for-champions.com/speaking.htm
• http://www.kidsturncentral.com/links/speakinglinks.htm
• http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/speech/commcentral/mgpubspeakresour.html
• http://www.selfgrowth.com/public.html

Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But, too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations:

• Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
• Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
• Know your material. If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.
• Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.
• Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.
• Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.
• Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent.
• Concentrate on the message -- not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
• Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm
• Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need.

If you'd like to learn more about joining Toastmasters, please visit: http://www.toastmasters.org