African American Women's Resource Center

African American Women’s  Resource Center 
Septima Clark Oratory Contest

 2012  Contest Rules

1. The oratory contest will have three (3) to four (4) judges, one (1) timekeeper and at least two (2) individuals to tally scores.
2. Competition will be held for two divisions.  First Division:  Girls aged 13-15; Second Division:  Girls aged 16-19.
3. The order in which the contestants speak will be determined by a lottery on the date of contest.
4. Each judge will receive a ballot for each contestant. The ballots will be pre-marked with the contestant's name.
5. The timekeeper will provide the judges with the time of the speech. The judges will mark the time on the ballot. The contest director will be informed by the timekeeper of any under- or over-length speeches.
6. Each judge will sign her name on each ballot upon completion of scoring and writing pertinent comments.
7. The judges score contestants in six areas:   content, organization and analysis, vocal delivery, physical delivery and overall effective communication
8. Contestants are given a score of 1-5, with 5 being the best, in each area. The scores are then added together for a perfect score of 25. The total scores from all judges are added together to achieve a grand total.
9. The contest director's decision concerning the winner will be final.
10. The judges’ decision during the contest will be final.
11. All efforts will be made toward accuracy. In the event of a mistake, every effort will be made to correct it.
12. Ties will be determined by a “speak-off”. Each girl will be given an opportunity to speak for 2 minutes on an assigned topic.  She will be given 3 minutes to prepare.
13. 13. These rules apply only to the African American Women’s Resource Center Oratory Contest. No other rules from any national, state, or local speech group apply. Only the rules here apply to this contest.
14. 14. The decision of the contest director concerning the application of these rules will be final.