Contest season
Speech contests
Quick reference for timings and key rules. Full official rules are in the linked rulebooks — every contestant should read the relevant one before competing.
Before every contest
- Prepare your own substantially original speech
- Attend the Contestants' Briefing and the Speaker's Rehearsal
- Tell the contest chair about any props in advance
- Read and sign the Speaker's Certification of Eligibility & Originality
During your speech: set up props in the minute of silence before you're introduced, begin as soon as you're introduced, watch the timing lights, and clear your props immediately after.
Humorous & Table Topics Contest
Humorous Speech
Timing: disqualified under 4:30 or over 7:30. Green at 5 min, amber at 6 min, red at 7 min (stays on till you finish — no buzz-off).
Must be substantially original, can't reference another contestant's speech from the same contest, and can't be a string of one-liners. Props allowed if you can set up within 60 seconds.
Table Topics Contest
Timing: disqualified under 1 min or over 2:30. Green at 1 min, amber at 1:30, red at 2 min.
Every contestant gets the same general-knowledge topic. All contestants except the first wait outside under the Sergeant at Arms until called. A minute of silence follows each speech for judging.
Full official rules, ballots, and judge's guides:
International & Evaluation Speech Competition
International Speech
Timing: 5–7 minutes. Disqualified under 4:30 or over 7:30. Green at 5 min, amber at 6 min, red at 7 min.
Evaluation Contest
Timing: 2–3 minutes. Disqualified under 1:30 or over 3:30. Green at 2 min, amber at 2:30, red at 3 min.
In the Evaluation Contest, a 5–7 minute test speech is presented first. Contestants then leave the room for five minutes to prepare notes on the official Evaluation Contestant Notes sheet, supervised by the Sergeant at Arms — no digital devices allowed. Contestants are introduced by name only, twice (Evaluation speeches don't carry titles).
Full official rules, ballots, and judge's guides: