AUSTRALIAN ROSTRUM (A.C.T. DAIS) INC.
PATRON: The Speaker of the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly
PRIMARY SCHOOLS PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS
Speeches are judged on 2 criteria:
Content
Presentation
The major objective of the competition is to help students speak more effectively to their peers,
their teachers, their families and the public in general.
It is most important that speakers express their own ideas on the subject.
The guidelines below follow the adjudication sheet used by Rostrum and which is supplied to
every school.
CONTENT (50 marks)
1. Preparation
Choose one aspect or one interpretation of the topic - remember in a 3-minute speech a
speaker cannot develop more than 1 or 2 ideas.
Construct a logical sequence of points.
Consult reference material (e.g. library).
2. Structure
A speech needs a beginning, middle and an ending.
A 3-minute speech contains about 300 words.
There must be a clear link between each of the major points (i.e. not just a list of facts).
3. Purpose
The speaker must have a specific goal in mind, e.g.
to persuade/arouse the audience;
to inform the audience;
to entertain the audience (but not just a series of jokes);
Ideally, elements of all three should be included, irrespective of the main purpose of the
speech.
4. Innovation
Creative and original thinking.
Avoid a stereotype approach. PTO
