There are a number of extemp “formulas” that are supposed to guarantee success, and while most of these “formulas” do indeed produce results, they often ignore one important aspect of every extemp speech: the judge.

A speech may be perfectly fine-tuned, fluid, flawless, and follow the formula; but a speech that does not draw in the judge can easily be ranked down.

The key to any winning extemp speech is connecting with the judge.  Every successful speech must be able to draw in the judge, entertain the judge, and form a lasting impression in his or her mind.  It is not simply enough to deliver a smooth speech filled with statistics and impeccable analysis.  The judge must be affected in some way, and there are multiple ways to do that.

The Basics

These are the tools we were all hopefully taught as novices, but they are also the tools that can never be ignored.

Eye Contact with the judge is crucial, and that should go without saying.  Refusing to look at the judge makes the speaker seem unconfident and unsure about what he or she is saying.

However, be careful of too much of a good thing.  Not shifting focus away from the judge can make the judge uncomfortable as you “stare them down.”  Acknowledge the other people in the room to.  If there are none, break the contact for a few seconds here and there to ease any unease.

Confidence is key.  The speaker must exude confidence the minute he or she enters the room.  Speak with authority.  Even in exchanging pleasantries with the judge, don’t be afraid to hold back.  That doesn’t mean embrace him or her in a bear hug and then tell your life story.  It means give a strong, “Hello.  How are you?”

You must deliver the speech with confidence as well.  Even if you don’t know anything about preventing tuberculosis in the developing world, you must SEEM like you do if you hope to advance. 

Don’t forget to thank the judge, either.  Give a strong, “Thanks for judging.”  Some extempers give a hand shake, but that can often be irritating to judge who is trying to fill out eight ballots at once.

Conversation

No, this is not about having a discussion about the weather or new shoes.  It’s about speaking style.

Overwhelmingly, judges prefer a conversational, “just-talk-to-me” style to a pedantic, rambling, up-tight, overly formal style.  There is a place for formality, of course, but formality can also be a liability. 

A calmer, more relaxed speech will make the judge more relaxed and more likely to listen.  Formal language should be used to a degree, but be sure to always take a second and explain what you mean.  The judge is busy writing comments and keeping time, a quick simple review will make him or her very appreciative.  Some other ways to make a speech more conversational are discussed in the following sections.

Humor

The next rule: it’s okay to be funny in extemp!  Granted, more intellectual political humor is usually preferred to corny one-liners, but both can be an asset in lightening the mood of the speech.

Of course, humor cannot be used all the time.  A speech about child trafficking in the third world probably would not benefit from a bad pun, Letterman joke, or a jab at Bush.  However, a speech on the economy, politics, or environment is likely to contain information that could quickly put the judge to sleep.  In this case, a little humor will go a long way!  It will make the judge more likely to listen and will make the competitor more memorable.

Transitions between points are typically a good place to insert humor especially if a “theme” that links back to the introduction is being used.  This will lead the audience to anticipate the joke each time, making the speech more entertaining.

Startling information

Scare them!  Well, maybe a little at least.  A few startling facts and figures about death rates, debt, or pollution that the judge has never heard before may make the speech much more memorable.  If you can give the judge a fact that he or she will want to tell everyone he or she sees, you have impacted him or her, and you can bet you will be in the next round.

Smile, for goodness sakes!

This may not be a very common piece of advice for extempers, but smiling during your speech can relax the judge and relax you.  The judge will retain a more pleasant impression of you and your speech and will likely enjoy it more.  Just be careful not to smile during a phrase like, “The infant mortality rate in Myanmar has skyrocketed in recent years.”  Then you’re just being creepy.

Oh yeah, the judge is a person.

And, finally, don’t forget the judge is person!  The judge may be a teacher, parent, coach, lawyer, or a former student, and that means he or she is just an everyday person – not a ballot-wielding machine.  Give a speech that a PERSON will enjoy and from which a PERSON will benefit.  Doing that will make all the other steps come easier, and your performance will improve.

Good luck!