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Overview
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Rules and Regulations
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The art of extemporaneous speaking is not for the faint-hearted. Delivering a coherent, engaging, and moving speech, is easy enough, right? Now try doing that on the spot with only 15 minutes of preparation!
Procedures:
The following is a list of rules and procedures for this category. Failure to fulfill these obligations and/or any violation of them may result in point loss.
The following is a list of rules and procedures for this category. Failure to fulfill these obligations and/or any violation of them may result in point loss.
- A limit of two (2) students from each team may register for this competition. Each student competes individually, so collaboration is not permitted.
- MIST ID and order of competition will be pre-assigned on a random selection basis.
- All competitors are to report to the competition room at the same time, which will be designated in the competition schedule.
- Paper and pen/pencil will be provided, but students may feel free to bring their own.
- Out of three randomly selected topics presented at the time of competition, students must choose one topic for their speech. The topics will be relevant to the annual theme.
- Topics are to be phrased in the form of a question. Topics will not necessarily require reference materials, but will require an understanding of contemporary issues affecting Muslims domestically and internationally. Example topic: Does a significant rift exist between African-American Muslims and immigrant Muslim communities?
- Depending on the number of students who sign up for this event, the competition might be conducted in a series of rounds, with only the top contestants advancing to subsequent rounds.
- Participants may, if they choose, use references (books, the Quran, etc.) If any reference is used the participant MUST cite the reference during his or her speech. NO references will be provided by MIST. The use of reference material is optional.
- Fifteen minutes before the contest is to begin, the first speaker shall draw three topics, choose one, and return the others. The other contestants shall draw in like manner, in their speaking order, at seven-minute intervals. A contestant drawing a topic on which he has spoken previously in the tournament shall return that topic and draw again.
- After the contestant has chosen a topic, he shall withdraw to the preparation area and have fifteen (15) minutes to plan his/her speech without conferring or exchanging information with anyone. No prepared notes or outlines will be allowed in the preparation room. Reference to books, magazines and a bibliographical file is permitted. Once a contestant has chosen a topic, she/he may neither change from nor alter that topic. No visual aids may be used in the delivery of the speech.
- A note card may be used in preliminary rounds of invitational qualifying tournaments but is not permitted in any elimination rounds of these tournaments.
- Time limit is seven minutes maximum with thirty-second grace period. Violation of this rule will result in the contestant being ranked last in the round when visible time signals have been given by the judge or by the authorized timekeeper.
- Electronic device usage is not permitted during the competition.