UIL
Student Activities Super Conference
Extemp: "Secrets to Success"
Tim Cook, Extemp Topic Analysis, Web Page: extemptopicanalysis.com, Email: timcook@extemptopicanalysis.com
A survey by iHigh.com discovered that of all the speech events extemporaneous speaking was rated the most difficult. Extemporaneous speaking is the most challenging and educational forensic event. The challenge develops public speaking skills, knowledge of current events and analytical thinking. The purpose of this session is to outline techniques and strategies that enhance a speaker's success in the extemporaneous speaking. Issues to be discussed: Preparation/Practice, Choosing a Topic, Evaluating Files, Introductions, Analysis/Organization, Sources, Transitions, and Delivery.
For an introductory tutorial go to http://www.extemptopicanalysis.com/Introduction_To_Extemp.htm.
Disclaimer: These are only suggestions. I do not assert to have all the answers. Foremost you should follow your coach's advice.
Tim Cook owns Extemp Topic Analysis, a web based service to facilitate extemporaneous speaking. Mr. Cook coached 4 State Champions, 36 medallists and 55 qualifiers to the State Meet. He served on the National Federation CX Topic Selection Committee, presents at UIL SuperConferences and Capital Conference, serves as a content director for the 5A CX State Meet and LD State Meet, and was awarded the Southwestern Bell UIL Sponsor Award.
Preparation/Practice
I always told my students the key to being a successful speaker was to discover how to PP. No, not that "pee pee", but PREPARE and PRACTICE. The secret to success in extemporaneous speaking is adequate preparation and practice. An athlete would never consider competing without practice and neither should a persuasive or informative speaker.
Preparation for extemp requires studying current events, filing information in
extemp tubs, and practicing speeches. Extempers should spend at least 4 to
5 hours a week preparing for competitions. By and large, the more a
student prepares the more successful they will be in the event.
Extempers must read, read and read. You will want to read a variety of sources ("The Big Three," Economist, Washington Post, New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Financial Times, Christian Science Monitor, etc.). Reading will improve your analysis and allow you to prepare in less time. Without an adequate knowledge base, you are setting yourself up for failure.
Watch a daily news broadcast, the best is 'NewsHour
with Jim Lehrer' (PBS).
Conduct extemp labs,
mini-lessons on a topic. Invite a guest to present a lecture (maybe a
history teacher, economist, professor, etc.), this person should provide depth
to the knowledge you already have on the topic. Prior to the lab, somebody
can prepare a suggested reading list. After the speaker is done, write a
few questions on the topic and then analyze them collectively.
It very important to watch and evaluate your peers. Using peer evaluation, you can create a style of your own (use what you liked in their speech and correct mistakes you thought they made in your presentations). I can't emphasize the importance of watching other extempers, you can read all you want, but you will learn so much more by watching actual speeches. When you watch a speech flow the speech, take notes, so after the speech you can evaluate the content more effectively. There are numerous tapes of final rounds, state and national, that can be purchased.
I would highly recommend you video tape yourself and then evaluate the
presentation. Take your time when evaluating the tape, look for awkward
movements, vocal pauses, and distracting mannerism. It is also very
effective to practice in front of a mirror for the same reasons.
Finally, go
to as many tournaments as possible. This is the real learning environment
for an extemper. At the tournament watch as many speakers as you can.
Watch other contestants in your rounds and if you don't make it to the elim
rounds then you should definitely watch those rounds.
For more information see "Preparation for Contest Extemp," http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/CopelandExtempPrepMar99.pdf
Choosing a Topic
There
are two types of questions, open and closed. Closed
questions ask for a yes or no answer
Look for other key words.
While you are drawing consider: do I know anything about the topic, do I have files on the topic, have I spoke on this topic, and did I attend an extemp lab on this topic.
Finally, you should never change the topic. If for some reason the topic
is faulty (the event already occurred or there are errors in the topic), you
should avoid the topic.
For more information see "What makes a "hot" extemp topic (and what to do when the topics aren't so hot)," http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/extempcox0497.pdf
Evaluating Files
Extemp files are large tubs used to organize the articles you have researched. Buy tubs that are designed to hold “hanging” folders. Remember, files must be portable. You have to take them to tournaments or they are useless. You may even want a tub for supplies and reference materials (almanacs, quote books, dictionaries). Your files should be organized so they are easy for you to find information quickly.
Start with the “the Big Three” (Newsweek, Time and U.S. News & World Report). These are
easy to obtain, usually you can get somebody to donate these to your squad.
However, research shows that students who quote more obscure sources tend
to do better in competition.
Some excellent newspapers to use are The New York Times, Washington Post,
Los Angeles Times and USA Today. You
may need to read and file some regional newspapers (Boston Globe, Dallas Morning
News, etc.) for specific topics.
It is also popular to file magazines like the Economist and World Press
Review in large binders. Place the
magazines in clear cover sheets with the index showing.
Finally, have an index. Update your index frequently so you know what files need to be updated or created.
For more information see "Annotated or Non-Annotated? What exactly is allowed in Extemp Prep?," http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/ext Matley Extemp02-03.pdf
Characteristics of a good file:
2. Have no more than 15 articles. (Once a file has reached this point, it should be subdivided. For example, economy could be subdivided into general, unemployment, stocks, deficits, interest rates and other related topics. The more you divide the more efficient your files will be.)
3. Contain background information. (profile, biography, background notes, brief history, etc.)
4. Include introduction suggestions. (quotes, jokes, etc. - make sure the material follows the rules)
5. Be purged. (Purged to get rid of articles that are outdate and/or are no longer useful.)
6. Each article will be highlighted in one color.
7. Contain no outlines and/or handwritten materials.
Tips:
1.
Stagger the tabs on the top of your
hanging folders. Far left decent
files or files that need work, middle good files, and far right exceptional
files that you want to use at the tournament.
This lets you visually see what topics you want to draw and which files
need to be developed.
2.
Don’t take hanging folders out when
preparing. Only take the manila
folder out to write your speech. This
will keep files in alphabetical order and index order. It also helps to see
if you are missing files.
3. Use your index to make tabs for you hanging folders. Print labels in 24 point font.
For more information see "Building an Extemp Box,"
Introductions
In my opinion, the introduction is the most important part of the speech. You must “grab” or “hook” the audience. It also gives you the opportunity to make yourself stand out. On the other hand, a bad introduction will decrease interest in the speech. The more common techniques include jokes, rhetorical questions, anecdotes, fables, startling statistics, quotes, political cartoons and even movie plots. I personally prefer jokes or great thinkers like Shakespeare or Aristotle. Your intro should establish a theme and be under a minute long.
Now for "canned" introductions. I do not advocate canned introductions if they are defined as "use over and over again without regard to whether it fits or not." Some judges will penalize you if you decide to use this strategy. I would suggest an arsenal of quotes or jokes to use as introductions which allows you to more precisely apply the technique to the question.
For more information see "Canned Attention Getting Devices: Extemporaneous Speaking or Dinner Theater," http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/ext Householder2-03.pdf
Elements of an Introduction
1.
Attention Getter: device
used to “grab” the audience.
Also called a hook; it is
something that makes the audience want to listen to you.
2.
Connection:
relate attention getter to question
3.
Background: limited
information to form a backdrop to speech
4.
Question: state
question word for word
5.
Answer:
briefly answer the question, answer should be clear and direct
6.
Foreshadow:
state
your main points
7. Justification: tell the judge the importance of the topic. Use evidence.
Samples
Woodrow Wilson in 1914 said, "The truth is our economic system is heartless." Now this may have been true in 1914, but is our economic system heartless today. The 9 million unemployed Americans today would argue the system is heartless, merciless, cruel, and even ruthless. President Bush could be the first president since Herbert Hoover to witness the total number of jobs fall during his term. 3.2 million private sector jobs have vanished during the Bush term. Hence, many people today are asking: Is Bush responsible for the record number of jobs that have been lost during his term? The answer is no. Bush may have been at the helm, but the ship was built before he was elected. To fully understand my position I will develop two points: First, American manufacturing is in long-term decline and Bush does not have the power to reverse the trend; Second, the administrations has enacted economic recovery programs, but time is needed for job growth. With the current presidential election rhetoric, a proper understanding of this issue is imperative. Bush is responsive to unemployment concerns and is acting. President Bush said while speaking to the International Union of Operating Engineers in Richfield, Ohio on Labor Day, "We're committed to helping those who've got a job to keep a job and for those who are looking, to find a job. We want people to be able to realize their personal dreams by working."
First, American manufacturing is in long-term decline and Bush does not have the power to reverse the trend......
Two young engineers applied for a single position at a company. They both had the same qualifications. In order to determine which individual to hire, the applicants were asked to take a test. Upon completion of the test, both men had each missed only one of the questions. The manager went to the first applicant and said, ''Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to give the job to the other applicant.'' "And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct," asked the rejected applicant. "We have based our decision not on the correct answers, but on the question you missed," said the department manager. "And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?" the rejected applicant inquired. ''Simple,'' said the department manager, ''Your fellow applicant put down on question #5, 'I don't know.' You put down, 'Neither do I.''' Searching for a job is not amusing, it can be stressful and even painful. Currently 9 million people are unemployed in the United States. President Bush could be the first president since Herbert Hoover to witness the total number of jobs fall during his term. 3.2 million private sector jobs have vanished during the Bush term. Hence, many people today are asking: Is Bush responsible for the record number of jobs that have been lost during his term? [Continue as above....]
Analysis/Organization
All speeches must have an introduction, body and conclusion. In competitive extemp, a rather rigorous standard has developed. Divergence from this expectation will usually cause the judge to rank you lower in the round. Mastering the format is your first step in the extemp process. The main points in your speech should be phrased as argumentative statements. Create balance in your speech by devoting an equal amount of time on each point.
How you analyze the question will have a major effect on the outcome of the speech. Poor analysis will only result in an ineffective answer to the question. The easiest, and probably best, form of analysis to utilize in the substructure of the speech is a syllogism. A syllogism is a formula that makes a claim based on two premises. For example, A. John is a student; B. All students hate homework; C. Therefore, John must hate homework. The key obviously is to make sure your claims are true. An extemper might argue: A. Cuba is a communist state; B. Communist states are incapable of establishing democratic institutions and sound economic conventions; C. Cuba is in capable of establishing democratic institutions and sound economic conventions.
When determining the appropriate organizational pattern, there should really be only one factor: the answer to the question should determine the body of the speech. Irrelevant material should not be included in the speech. If the information does not answer the question, then it does not belong in the speech.
Take for example these traditional patterns:
Past/Present/Future
Example:
Is Social Security doomed?
I.
Past
II.
Present
III. Future
Problem/Solution
Example:
What should the government do to prevent terrorism?
I.
Problem
II. Solution
Cause/Effect/Solution
Example:
School Finance: How should
we reform it?
I.
Cause
II.
Effect
III. Solution
In the first example, the only part of the speech that is germane to the question is the third point. The second example does not need a discussion of the problem. And the third example, definitely does not need the effect, maybe you could convince me the cause is relevant.
To avoid these errors, use a pattern called unified analysis. With this organizational pattern, the body of the speech serves as a justification for the answer, the organizational pattern unifies all the analysis. Typically, requires organizing the speech with two main points and two sub points for each main point. Unified analysis has been called the "one best organizational pattern."
Examples
Closed
Questions: ask for a yes or no
answer
Example:
Is Social Security doomed?
Yes
I.
The
public desire for alternatives will
causes changes
II.
Social Security's funding
base no longer exists
Example:
Is North Korea a threat?
Yes
I.
North Korea's political
leadership is fanatical
II. Possession of nuclear weapons presents unique risks.
Open
Questions: ask for sequential steps
in proposing the answer
Example:
Who will win the 2004 Presidential
Election? George
Bush
I. The economy will not hurt Bush.
II. National security issue will win the election for Bush.
Example:
How can the federal government best
protect the public from terrorism?
I. State and local government are on the front line and need funding.
II. Intelligence is key to prevention.
For
more information see
Sources
Sources
increase a speaker's credibility.
How to introduce sources
Trade deficits are normal during times of industrial growth. Therefore, we
should not be troubled about the current trends. The National
Review, which conducted an in-depth study of trade deficits, reported on
February 24, 2003, "... recent data indicate that the trade balance
tends to move in the opposite direction of growth in GDP. In other words, when
the trade balance goes down (deeper deficits) the growth in GDP goes up. ....
From 1997 until December of 2002, the trade balance and the
How not to introduce sources
Newsweek reported, "The global trading system is in trouble—mainly because it became overdependent on big U.S. trade deficits." [This method offers no analysis, date, source legitimacy or impact for the evidence.]
For more information see Do Sources in Extemp make Extempers Break, http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/extempcossette0194.pdf
Transitions
Your speech must have transitions. Transitions allow you to move from one place to another place in the speech. They make the speech fit together. Without transitions the speech will be choppy and hard to follow. Practice transitions so they become almost routine. Examples: My first point is, The next major issue is, and Finally.
Internal summaries and preview should also be included in the speech. Think of each point as a speech within a speech. After you present the transition and argumentative point, the speaker should preview the sub points. When the speaker has developed the sub analysis, a brief summary of the point should be given. This technique will also help you add time to the speech.
For more information see "A list of helpful transitional words and phrases", http://members.aol.com/DOWESNEY/extemp-transitions.html (Extemp Land)
Delivery
Your delivery should be professional and polished. Your delivery should be "lively," not boring, dry or dull. I like to have some humor in the speech, but don't turn it into an after-dinner speech. Keep the following in mind:
Dress
First appearances make the difference. Dressing down shows
a lack of appreciation for the event. You should look professional and knowledgeable.
Boys should wear suit and tie. Girls either a nice suit or skirt and blouse.
Girls you should dress conservatively - you are trying to impress a judge, not
find a date.
Gestures
Gestures should have meaning. They should not
be a nervous release. Do not over-gesture. Gestures should be above the waist.
Natural gestures are more effective than "staged" gestures. When
not gesturing, let your arms rest at your side.
Vocal Style
Watch your speed. The most common error I witness
with delivery is speaking to fast. Utilize voice inflections, pauses, and clear pronunciation.
Voice inflections will signal to the audience the significance and importance of
your message. Pauses add climax to your speech and force you to slow down.
Mispronouncing words effects your credibility. Eliminate "vocalized
pauses" (ahm, ah, ok, and, etc.).
Walking
Do not walk too much! I have judges contestants that continuously walk during the speech, the so called "ping pong" effect. Do not turn your back to the audience or turn completely sidewise to the audience. Movement must have meaning and add something to the speech. Most successful contestants take steps between main points. This is commonly called the "extemp dance."
Introduction
Step/First let me
Step/Second
Step/In conclusion
You can take additional steps to highlight arguments or points within the speech.
Cards
Although you are allowed to use cards, most successful speakers will not use them. It really is not that difficult to speak without a card.
For more information see "Ten Commandments for Effective Extemporaneous Delivery," http://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/EbelingMar99.pdf
Closure
Your preparation started today by attending this clinic. Now take the next step to success, prepare and practice. As Colin Powell once said, "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
Fill free to contact me if questions develop throughout the year. Email: timcook@extemptopicanalysis.com.