Subchapter D: 2nd-8th Grades (1442)
Section 1442: MODERN ORATORY
- (a) THE CONTEST.
-
(1) Summary. In this contest, the contestant will select one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and acknowledge both pro and con points citing support discovered in their research. Students will choose a side they will defend and support that side with additional evidence. Along with the skills of analysis, research, note-taking, documentation, evaluation and decision-making come those of memorization and delivery.
(2) Contest Format. The UIL will provide a selection of topics each academic year from which the student will pick one. Contestants will deliver a three to six-minute speech on their topic without the use of notes. Contestants shall not use costumes or props in the contest. Students going over the maximum or under the minimum time limit shall be penalized one rank. For example, if the judges rank a student second who has gone over the time limit, that student shall be assigned third place and the student who was ranked third will be given second place. No speaker may be coached or prompted in any manner during the presentation. Audiences are permitted.
- (b) REPRESENTATION.
-
(1) Contestants. Students in officially prescribed grade levels below 9th grade who are eligible under Section 1400 and 1405 may enter this contest. A student may enter no more than two speech events.
(2) Divisions. Districts shall offer either a separate division for each participating grade level or combined grade level divisions as specified in official contest procedures.
(3) Individual Competition. Each participant school may enter as many as three contestants per division in the district meet.
(4) Team Competition. There is no team competition in this contest.
- (c) CONTEST ADMINISTRATION.
-
(1) Personnel. The contest director may be the coach of a participating student. Contest officials should select one judge or an odd-numbered panel of judges for each section. Judges shall not be coaches of participating students. So far as possible, judges should not know what school any contestant represents.
(2) Sections. A section shall consist of no more than eight contestants. If nine or more students enter a division of modern oratory, they shall be divided into sections according to official contest procedures.
(3) Rankings, Ties and Points. Contestants shall be ranked as specified in official contest procedures. There can be no ties in this contest. Points are awarded as specified in Section 1408 (i).
(4) Verification Period. If a panel of judges is used, a verification period shall be provided. Unofficial results should be posted. Coaches should be given no more than 15 minutes to verify that tabulation of rankings is correct. The decisions of the judges are not subject to question. Evaluation sheets may be viewed by contestants and coaches during the verification period. For rounds with single judges, a 15-minute viewing period is recommended.
(5) Official Results. The contest director shall announce the official results. Official results, once announced, are final.
(6) Returning Materials. No confidential materials are used in this contest. Therefore, evaluation sheets may be returned to contestants at the conclusion of the contest.