Speakers’ Cup
2025 – 23 April
For Speakers’ Cup pupils take part in two events:
- Persuasive Speaking
- Impromptu Speaking
Divisions:
Junior (Grades 7 - 9)
Junior speeches are 4 minutes.
Senor (Grades 10 – 12)
Senior speeches are 5 minutes.
Registration (for Teacher-In-Charge):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5nziljnBrdawOWHQ9GqdQmptcFyEypHsGU
lozUH90DE_uJg/viewform?usp=header
Category 1: Persuasive Speaking
A persuasive speech must be prepared before the competition. This speech is designed to
persuade and must be on a serious topic of interest to a contemporary audience. However, of
course, humour may be used to one’s advantage in the speech.
A problem/solution approach must be taken, although the speaker may finally conclude, for
good reasons that must be shown, that no solution can currently be found.
Specific guidelines:
• The persuasive speech must take a problem/ solution approach.
• Problem must be real or feasible at present or within the near future.
• Imagined/fictional problems are not acceptable. i.e. An alien invasion
• Motivational speeches/ monologues/dramatic interpretations are not acceptable.
• Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable.
• No props of any kind are permitted.
• Speakers are expected to have memorized their speeches but may utilise key cards as
a prompt.
Persuasive Speaking Judging Criteria
Scoring Criteria Factors Marks
Appearance and Appropriateness of attire, absence of visible 10
Stage Presence distractions, poise and posture, eye contact and
facial expressions, gesture and body control.
Projection and Pitch, volume inflection, emphasis, use of 10
Language appropriate words, skill in using meaningful
quotes, pronunciation and enunciation.
Introduction Use of meaningful narrative, quotation, statistic, or 20
question related to the problem; background and
rationale; thesis statement and preview.
Body Arrangement and development of key points; 20
evidence, support, and credibility of sources.
Conclusion Summarization of key points, review of purpose and 20
thesis statement, solution and call-to-action.
Overall Impact Depth of analysis, relevance and importance of the 20
problem, quality of proposed solution, use of
signposting, and quality of persuasion.
Total: 100
Category 2: Impromptu Speaking
In Impromptu Speaking, the competitor will draw three random topics, which may be a word, a
quote, or a phrase from a prompt generator. After the topics are drawn, the competitor has 5
minutes to choose a topic and prepare their speech. A penalty of 2 points will be given for
every 30 seconds under and over the time limit.
The speech must be impromptu, and not memorized or plagiarized from their own Persuasive
Speaking speech. The chosen topic must be revealed by the speaker before
beginning their speech.
Specific guidelines:
• Speeches should be structured and logical.
• The interpretation of the topic and the speech should correlate in a meaningful way.
• Canned/rehearsed/
reworked impromptus will be penalized.
• Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable.
• No props of any kind are permitted.
• The speaker must state the topic at the end of their speech.
• The speaker must speak in their own person for the substantial majority of the
speech. Adoption of a persona is not allowed for Impromptu speaking.
Impromptu Speaking Judging Criteria
Scoring Criteria Factors Marks
Appearance and Appropriateness of attire, absence of visible 10
Stage Presence distractions, poise and posture, eye contact and
facial expressions, gesture and body control.
Projection and Pitch, volume inflection, emphasis, use of 20
Language appropriate words, skill in using meaningful
quotes, pronunciation and enunciation.
Introduction Attention-catching quality, 15
introduction of purpose and subject
Body Arrangement and development of key points. 20
Conclusion Summarization of key points. 15
Overall Impact Depth of analysis, originality, relevance to and 20
coverage of the topic, overall organization of the
speech.
Total: 100
