School Speech Contest Details
School Speech Contest
Instructions for participants*
"Hunger in America" is the topic for the 2016 School Speech Contest.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 48.1 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2013. This means that at some points during the year, their households were uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food because of insufficient resources. Approximately 8.6 million of these individuals were children. Students are asked to explore this issue of hunger in America from an individual, local, state or national perspective.
In organizing their speeches, students may choose to consider the following questions or present on their own aspect of the topic:
Who is affected by hunger?
How does hunger in the United States compare to hunger in other countries?
How does hunger impact my school or community?
What are some of the contributing factors to hunger?
What can individuals, communities or governments do to combat hunger?
Students may use these questions to help formulate ideas, but they should not be limited by the list.
Speeches must be at least three minutes and no more than five minutes long. Speeches must be in the student’s own words.
Judging criteria
Contestants will be judged using the following 100-point system:
40 points for material organization
This accounts for theme and subject adherence, structure, content, logic and color.
40 points for delivery and presentation
This includes voice, pronunciation, enunciation, gestures and poise.
20 points for overall effectiveness
This scores impression and effect.
