ORATORICAL COMPETITION
NPSD 2023 BLACK HISTORY ORATORICAL COMPETITION
NPSD 2023 BLACK HISTORY ORATORICAL COMPETITION
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Step 1 - Interested students will recite their speech and submit the video by Wednesday, January 25th using the following link to the video submission form. A committee will review each submission and select finalists for the district-wide competition.
Step 2 - Selected students from each level will present their speeches at a competition held at North Penn High School on Thursday, February 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
How Will Video Submissions Be Selected?
Video submissions will be selected based on how students respect/honor Black History, and embody messages that inspire and uplift participants to continue toward progress; believing the impossible is possible.
Remember: Black History is not just about slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Strive to select oratory pieces that reflect the S.P.I.R.I.T. of the people throughout the African Diaspora:
- S – Strength
- P – Perseverance
- I – Imagination
- R – Responsibility
- I – Integrity
- T – Talent
Rules For Participants
NPSD 2023 Black History Oratorical Competition rules for participants
- Students must attend an NPSD public school.
- Students must present their chosen speech.
- Students should adhere to the maximum time limit (3rd-5th graders should not exceed 3 minutes and 6th-12th graders should not exceed 4 minutes).
- Students are encouraged to memorize their speech; however, reading from notecards is allowed.
- Student participants are asked to submit only one entry.
Scoring
The participants will receive a number of points (60 points maximum) while performing in different areas. Please see the rubric on the next page for these overall categories:
- Expression/Stage Presence (20 points)
- Delivery & Presentation (20 points)
- Overall Effectiveness (20 points)
Prizes
- Certificates will be awarded to all participants.
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners at each level will receive monetary prizes.
- Finalists will be videoed for NPTV and may have an opportunity to present their speech at the International Spring Festival on April 15th
Rubric
RUBRIC -- This information will help students prepare for the competition. Judges will score students based on the following:
EXPRESSION/STAGE PRESENCE
- Engagement: Is there a connection to the audience? Did this help to build a relationship of trust with the audience?
- Gestures/body language: Does the control and use of the body, while speaking, add to or detract from the speech? Dramatic Pause: Are dramatic pauses used to emphasize a point, or to allow the audience to react to a fact, anecdote or humor?
- Voice Inflection
- Cadence
DELIVERY & PRESENTATION
- Voice: Is there quality and variety of expression (rate, inflection, volume)? Pronunciation: Are all words spoken correctly?
- Enunciation: Are all words clear—not mumbled or distorted?
- Poise: Is the speaker confident, relaxed, convincing, maintaining composure, and in control of the situation (no signs of fidgeting or hands in pocket)?
- Was the majority of the speech memorized?
- Did the speaker stay within the time frame?
OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS
- Impression: Did the speech make an impression in listeners' minds (arouse response)? Was a conversational tone used to talk to, instead of at listeners?
- Effect: Did the speaker communicate to the audience what the speech was to accomplish (i.e. inform, persuade, appeal, move, etc.)? Did the speaker make a point and convince the audience of it?
Please note that you are welcome to reach out to your case manager or guidance counselor if you are in need of accommodations to support your entry.
Gwynedd Square Elementary School
Email: bashawjm@npenn.org
Website: https://gwyneddsquare.npenn.org/
Location: 1641 Supplee Road, Lansdale, PA, USA
Phone: 215-855-4331