FOR

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.1

2.0

3.0

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.

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

ELIGIBILITY
3.1

This competition is divided into 2 categories:

4.0

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.

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.

1

5.0

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

Section 1
Section 2
5.2

:
:

Prepared Speech
Impromptu Speech

any topic

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 Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a
topic of their choice for 6 minutes.
5.2.3 A warning bell will be sounded at the 5 th minute and a final bell at
the 6th minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

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

5.4

6.0

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

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 Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

6.2

Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet.

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

.. make jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?

3
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 speakers 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 speakers 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.

Division of Co-curriculum and Arts

Ministry of Education, Malaysia

FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ADJUDICATION FORMS

SCORESHEET
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION (PRIMARY/SECONDARY)
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

C
O
N
T
E
S
T
A
N
T

Prepared
Speech
TOPIC

Prepared Speech
60 marks
(6 mins)
Subject
Use of
Matter
Language
(30 m)
(30 m)
Originality, dev. of
ideas, continuity,
depth of knowledge,
within time allocation

Marks

Time

Clear, correct,
simple and fluent
speech, language
easy to hear and
understand (overdramatic gestures
discouraged)

Impromptu Speech
40 marks
(3 mins)
Subject
Use of
Matter
Languag
(20 m)
e
(20 m)
Wide knowledge of
global affairs,
sincerity, credibility,
spoken with
conviction, accurate,
relevant, interesting,
lucid remarks
Mark
Time
s

Clear, correct,
simple and
fluent speech

PENALTY
(max.
5 marks)

sensitive
issues
touched,
below or
above
stipulated
time,
stipulated
exclusions
under
competition
guidelines
infringed

TOTAL

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Judges Name :

Signature :

Date :

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

PLACIN

PLACING

JUDGE
3

FINAL
PLACING

CONTESTANT NO.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Position
Judge 1

Name

Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Judge 5
Date
6

Signature

FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RESULTS

RESULT
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
PRIMARY / SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

PLACING

CONTESTANT NO.

STATE / SCHOOL

FIRST
SECOND
THIRD

Position

Name

Chief Judge
Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Date

Signature