Extemporaneous Speaking

League	Event Name	Variations
NCFCA	Extemporaneous
NSDA	United States Extemporaneous Speaking International Extemporaneous Speaking	Extemporaneous Commentary
Stoa	Extemporaneous

Extemporaneous Speaking is an event in which participants are given a half-hour to prepare a seven-minute speech on a randomly drawn question relating to current events. Speeches should answer the question definitively and provide supporting evidence and analysis.

Note

• The NSDA separates domestic and international topics into two separate events, in which students will compete in only one, but the NCFCA and Stoa maintain that a competitor should be prepared to speak on any current issue, domestic or international.

• The NSDA’s Extemporaneous Commentary is a supplemental event at national competitions, meaning if you qualify in a main event, you can register to compete in this as well. It’s twenty minutes of preparation for a five-minute speech that is more akin to the commentary you may here in a TV or radio news program.

Example

Resources

• Extemp Genie

• Extemporaneous Rules (NCFCA)

• General Speech Rules (NCFCA)

• An Introduction to Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• An Introduction to United States Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• An Introduction to International Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• What to Expect Competing in United States Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• What to Expect Competing in International Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• An Introduction to Extemporaneous Commentary (NSDA)

• Extemporaneous Rules (Stoa)

Judging

• An Introduction to Evaluating Extemporaneous Speaking (NSDA)

• Extemporaneous Speaking Ballot (NSDA)

• Extemporaneous Speaking Ballot with Comments (NSDA)

• Extemporaneous Ballot (Stoa)