Humorous Speech Contest

To provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities and to recognize the best as encouragement to all. Provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.
 

• All Toastmasters who are members in good standing, in a club in good standing are eligible to compete.
• The following are ineligible to compete in this contest: Incumbent International Officers and Directors; District Officers whose term expires June 30; International Officer and Director candidates; Immediate Past District Governors; District Officers or announced candidates

for July 1.
• Toastmasters who are members in more than one Club and who meet all other eligibility requirements may compete in more than one club contest. However, no contestant may compete in more than one Evaluation Contest per level, at any level above the club.
•  A contestant must be a member in good standing of the Club, Area, Division or District being represented when competing in a speech contest at the next level.
• In those Areas with four Clubs or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Club may compete in the area contest. In those Divisions with four Areas or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Area may compete. In Districts with four Divisions or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Division may participate in the District contest.

• The subject for the humorous speech shall be selected by the contestant. The speaker should avoid potentially objectionable language, anecdotes and material.
• Contestants must prepare their own five to seven minute speech, which must be substantially original. Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation.
• The speech must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and close) and not be an act or monologue (series of one-liners).

• A contest chairman, chief judge, at least five judges, representing all Areas and Division fairly, two counters and two timers are appointed. These appointments will be as far as is practical at Club levels, but required for Area through District and Regional levels of this contest.
• Before the contest, contestants are briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. Judges, counters and timers are briefed on their duties by the Chief Judge. Contestants will then draw for their speaking position with the contest chairman.
• If a contestant is absent from the briefing, the alternate speaker, if present, may be included in place of the primary contestant. When the contest Toastmaster is introduced, if not present, the primary contestant is disqualified and the alternate officially becomes the contestant. Where the primary contestant arrives and makes this known to the contest chairman and has all required paperwork in good order prior to the introduction, and missed the briefing, disqualification shall not occur and the primary contestant may speak in the drawn order, but waives the opportunity of a briefing.
• All contestants will speak from the same platform or area designated by the contest chairman with prior knowledge of all the judges and all the contestants. The contestants may speak from any position within the designated area and are not limited to standing at the lectern/podium.
• Introduce each contestant by announcing the Speaker's name, Speech Title, Speech Title, the Speaker's name. Neither the manual nor any objectives that the speaker may have shall be known to the contestants, judges or audience.
• There will be one minute of silence between contestants, during which the judges will mark their ballots.
• Contestants may remain throughout the duration of the contest, in the same room.

• Speeches shall be from five to seven minutes. Contestants who speak less than four minutes 30 seconds or more than seven minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.
• Time will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant. However, should the contestant engage is definite verbal or nonverbal communication with the audience (including the playing of music or other sound effects, a staged act by another person, etc.) prior to reaching the speaking position and uttering the first word of the speech, the timer shall activate the timing device at that point. If this results in the contestants going overtime the contestant will be disqualified.

• Any sightless contestant may request and must be granted a form of warning signal of his or her own choosing, which may be an audible device. The contestant must provide any special device required for such signal.
• In the even of technical failure of the signal, a speaker is allowed 30 seconds extra overtime before being disqualified.
• Disqualification’s for reason of time may be announced, at the discretion of the contest chairman, although it is not recommended.

• Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternate(s). The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding originality or eligibility prior to that announcement before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
• Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, a majority of the judges must concur in the decision. The contest chairman can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.
• All decisions of the judges are final.

Speech Development: Structure, Opening, Body, Closing Organization, Support Material
Excellent 15; Very Good 14-11; Good 10-6; Fair 5-0

Effectiveness: Excitement: created suspense, the unexpected twist, surprise, connection of humus events. Achievement of purpose.
Excellent 15; Very Good 14-11; Good 10-6; Fair 5-0

Speech Value: Ideas, Originality of Thought and Material
Excellent 15; Very Good 14-11; Good 10-6; Fair 5-0

Audience Response: Attentiveness, Laughter, Interest and Reception.
Excellent 10; Very Good 9-7; Good 6-4; Fair 3-0

Physical: Appearance, Body Language
Excellent 10; Very Good 9-7; Good 6-4; Fair 3-0

Voice: Flexibility, Volume
Excellent 10; Very Good 9-7; Good 6-4; Fair 3-0

Manner: Directness, Enthusiasm, Assurance
Excellent 10; Very Good 9-7; Good 6-4; Fair 3-0

Appropriateness: to speech purpose and Audience, Reflecting Good Taste
Excellent 10; Very Good 9-7; Good 6-4; Fair 3-0

Correctness: Grammar, pronunciation, word selection, use of dialect, vernacular
Excellent 5; Very Good 4; Good 3; Fair 2-0