(545) Prepared Speech
Description
Demonstrate communication skills in securing, arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally.
Eligibility
Any secondary division student member may enter this event. The event may be repeated, but the
topic may not. A member may not participate in Prepared Speech and either Presentation Individual
or Presentation Team in the same year.
Member must supply
Easel (optional)
Props (optional)
Props or visual aids are allowed in this competition. No equipment, supplies, or materials other than those
specified for an event will be allowed in the testing area. No previous Business Professionals of America tests
and/or sample tests or facsimiles thereof (handwritten, photocopied, or keyed) may be taken into the testing
area. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
Competencies
• Demonstrate effective communication skills
• Demonstrate skills in developing a speech using the three basic elements (introduction, body,
conclusion)
• Utilize nonverbal gestures as needed
• Apply speaking techniques using appropriate tempo and pitch
• Secure facts and data from multiple sources, emphasizing research skills
Specifications
• Each member is to select a topic related to business, entrepreneurship, or Business Professionals
of America, and develop an oral presentation of no less than five (5) and no more than seven (7)
minutes.
• The length of setup will be no more than one (1) minute.
• Setup will be stopped at one (1) minute to begin the speech.
• The speech will be stopped at seven (7) minutes.
• Facts and working data may be secured from any source. This event emphasizes a scholarly
approach to securing information and places emphasis on content and research. Each member’s
speech, however, must be the result of his/her own efforts.
• Member must provide
o At the time of check-in members must submit one (1) copy of the following documentation:
Works Cited and speech outline. Use guidelines in the Style & Reference Manual.
o Members must place their Member ID in the top-right corner of the header on the Works
Cited and speech outline. (This addition is not noted in the Style & Reference Manual.)
o For Finals, at the time of check-in members must submit one (1) copy of the following
documentation: Works Cited and speech outline. Use the guidelines in the Style &
Reference Manual.
o All copies should be on 8½”x11” plain, white non-glossy paper. No binders will be accepted.
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• No time warnings will be given.
• The member may use notes or note cards. A flip chart, posters, and/or props may be used.
• All materials (props, displays, samples, gifts, etc.), other than the required submission, may not be
left with judges.
• No electric/electronic equipment may be used.
• A topic may not be repeated.
• It is the policy of Business Professionals of America to comply with state and federal copyright law.
Federal law pertaining to copyright, as contained within the United States Code, is available at
https://www.copyright.gov/title17/title17.pdf. The Style & Reference Manual contains guidelines for
Copyright and Fair Use. Participant(s) will be disqualified for violations of the guidelines.
• Business Professionals of America grants permission for the use of the copyrighted logo and
tagline.
Method of evaluation
Judge’s Scoring Rubric
Length of event:
No more than one (1) minute setup
No less than five (5) and no more than seven (7) minutes for oral presentation
No time is allotted for judges’ questions
Finals may be included at state and national levels
Entries
Each state is allowed three (3) entries
Judges’ comments will be returned digitally through the online judging system at the national
level.
Materials submitted for the competition will not be returned.
Business Professionals of America Workplace Skills Assessment Program
Material contained in this publication may be reproduced for member and/or event use only.
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(545) Prepared Speech
Judge Number Member ID ____________
Presentation Scoring Rubric
Member Violated the Copyright and/or Fair
☐ Yes (Disqualification) ☐ No
Use Guidelines
If yes, please stop scoring and provide a brief reason for the disqualification below:
Below Points
Items to Evaluate Average Good Excellent
Average Awarded
Introduction 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Voice:
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Pitch, tempo, volume, enthusiasm
Platform Deportment:
Gestures, poise, eye contact, mannerisms, 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
appearance
Organization:
Logical, clearly understood, suitable to topic, 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
coherent
Content:
Development of subject matter, depth of 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
research
Mechanics:
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Diction, grammar, pronunciation
Closing:
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Summary and conclusion
Effectiveness:
Was purpose achieved (to make decision, to 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
impress, to inform, to persuade)?
All points or none are awarded per item below.
Setup lasted no more than one (1) minute 5
Presentation was no less than five (5) minutes and lasted no more than seven (7) minutes 5
Documentation submitted at time of check-in: Works Cited (1 copy) and Speech Outline (1
copy). 10
Must have copies for both preliminaries and finals
Speech Outline and Works Cited were formatted according to the Style & Reference
10
Manual.
TOTAL PRESENTATION POINTS (190 points maximum)
Props and/or additional items shall not be used as a basis for scoring.
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS = 190
SPEECH WILL BE STOPPED AT SEVEN MINUTES
Business Professionals of America Workplace Skills Assessment Program
Material contained in this publication may be reproduced for member and/or event use only.
September 13, 2024 Initial Release 1.0
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