FOR

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1
 PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Through public speaking competitions, it is hoped that awareness is created

among pupils or students on the importance of the English language.

1.2 Public speaking is an essential part of most jobs and at some point, all of us will
have to give a speech in public to inform, to persuade or to inspire others.

2.0 AIM

2.1 To encourage the development of oral communication skills among pupils or

students

2.2 To promote the use of the English language

2.3 To promote better understanding amongst young people

3.0 ELIGIBILITY

3.1 This competition is divided into 2 categories:

 primary school
 secondary school

3.2 This competition is open to pupils of government-aided schools from Year 4 to

Year 6 only. Year 3 pupils are allowed to participate if they are from under
enrolled schools.

3.3 This competition is open to all students of government-aided schools from Form
1 to Form 5 only.

4.0 PRIZES

4.1 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winners.

4.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants.

2
5.0 COMPETITION RULES

5.1 The competition is divided into two sections, as follows:

Section 1 : Prepared Speech - any topic

Section 2 : Impromptu Speech

5.2 For Section 1 (Prepared Speech), contestants are to observe the following
rules:

5.2.1 Primary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a

topic of their choice for 4 to 6 minutes.

5.2.2 A warning bell will be sounded at the 5th minute and a final bell at
the 6th minute.

5.2.3 Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a

topic of their choice for 6 to 8 minutes.

5.2.4 A warning bell will be sounded at the 6th minute and a final bell at
the 8th minute.

5.3 For Section 2 (Impromptu Speech), contestants are to observe the following
rules:

5.3.1 Contestants are given a topic four minutes before they are due to
present the speech.

5.3.2 All contestants speak on the same topic.

5.3.3 The time allocated for the impromptu speech is three minutes.

5.3.4 A warning bell will be sounded at the 2nd minute and a final bell at
the 3rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

5.4 The topic for the Impromptu Speech will be prepared and provided by the
Co-curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of Education.

6.0 ADJUDICATION

6.1 A panel of at least 3 or 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels.
The competition at the national level will be judged by a panel of 5 judges,
appointed by the Co-curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of Education.

6.2 Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet.

3
6.3 Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote.

6.4 The decision of the judges is final.

6.5 Individual marks will not be disclosed.

6.6 The judging criteria for both the Prepared Speech and the Impromptu Speech
are on two aspects as follows:

6.6.1 Subject Matter

6.6.1.1 Is the subject matter of the speech suitable and

substantial?

6.6.1.2 Is the speech original and intelligent in its exploration of the

subject?

6.6.1.3 Does the speaker develop the argument and the line of
thought logically and effectively?

6.6.1.4 Is there a satisfactory conclusion which lends a sense of

finality to the speech?

6.6.1.5 Does the speech carry a worthwhile and convincing

message?

6.6.2 Use of Language

6.6.2.1 Is the message or point of view conveyed in clear, correct,

comprehensible and appropriate language?

6.6.2.2 Are tone, pace, pauses and projection effective?

6.6.2.3 Does the speaker avoid distractions?

6.6.2.4 Is the speaker’s style confident, fluent and natural?

6.6.2.5 Does the speaker:

.. use ineffectual repetitions e.g. “Ladies and Gentlemen”?

.. use pompous and condescending language?

.. overdramatize?

.. make awkward pauses?

4
 .. over depend on notes, reading, shuffling palm cards?
.. use inappropriate quotations?

.. make jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?

6.6.3 Additional judging criteria for the Impromptu Speech include the
following:

6.6.3.1 Does the speaker demonstrate the ability to think clearly and
creatively?

6.6.3.2 Does the speaker express his views with conviction and / or
humour?

6.6.3.3 Are the speaker’s remarks accurate, relevant, interesting and

lucid?

6.6.3.4 Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and fluent
speech?

6.6.3.5 Does the speaker’s impromptu speech vary greatly from the
prepared speech?

Note:
 The winners from the previous year may participate in the current year but the
prepared text must not be an exact replica.

 This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of
Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the Ministry.

The Co-curricular and Arts Division

Ministry of Education, Malaysia

5
 FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ADJUDICATION FORMS

6
 SCORESHEET
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION (PRIMARY/SECONDARY)
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______
Prepared Speech Impromptu Speech PENALTY
(max.
Prepared Speech 60 marks 40 marks
5 marks)
C (6 mins) (3 mins)
O Subject Use of Subject Use of sensitive
N TOPIC Matter Language Matter Language issues
T (30 m) (30 m) (20 m) (20 m) touched,
E below or
above TOTAL PLACING
S Originality, dev. of Clear, correct, Wide knowledge of Clear, correct,
ideas, continuity, simple and fluent global affairs, simple and stipulated
T time,
depth of knowledge, speech, language sincerity, credibility, fluent speech
A stipulated
within time allocation easy to hear and spoken with
N understand (over- conviction, accurate, exclusions
T dramatic gestures relevant, interesting, under
discouraged) lucid remarks competition
guidelines
Marks Time Marks Time
infringed

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.
Judge’s Name : Signature : Date :

7
 FREQUENCY COUNT
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
PRIMARY / SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

JUDGE FINAL
PLACING 1 2 3 4 5 PLACING
CONTESTANT NO.

Position Name Signature

Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Judge 5
Date

8
 FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RESULTS

9
 RESULT

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

PRIMARY / SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

PLACING CONTESTANT NO. STATE / SCHOOL

FIRST

SECOND

THIRD

Position Name Signature

Chief Judge

Judge 1

Judge 2

Judge 3

Judge 4

Date

10