Becoming a Champion Speaker

Secrets to crack the

International Speech

ContestSujit Sukumaran DTM

Winning = POA + Focus + Commitment +

Preparation + Time + Sacrifice

More Experience = More Skills = More Chances

Think long term – not a one trick pony

Don’t fall in love with your script too rigidly to change

Trust yourself, don’t get carried away with the

audience – contesting is a judges game and not a

gallery sport

* POA = Plan of Action

Fundamental Principles

Hierarchy

Club

Area

Division

DistrictRegional & Intl

Content (50%)

Speech

Development (20%)

Effectiveness (15%)

Speech Value (15%)

Scoring Criteria

Curiosity /

Interest

The 40-50 rule

Creative &

Memorable

Examples

Content

Smooth Flow

Repeat

Theme in

Creative ways

Strong Close

Content – Speech Development

Content - Effectiveness

Simple Message

Attention

Audience

Response

Content - Value

Significant

Original and

innovative

Call to action

Delivery (30%)

Physical(10%)

Voice (10%)

Manner(10%)

1

Scoring Criteria

Delivery - Physical

What to do with

hands

Facial

Expressions

Pacing

Props

Delivery - Vocal

Mastery –

riveted or fluid

Variations

Volume and

pitch

Pauses

Delivery - Manner

Story round the

fireplace

Taking them

with you

Language (20%)

Appropriateness(10%)

Correctness(10%)

1

Scoring Criteria

Language - Appropriateness

Objectionable

material

Controversial

topics – Rated R

Courtesy/

Professionalism

Language - Correctness

Choice

Clarity and

understanding

Pronunciation and

grammar

The Winner’s EDGE Little Black Book

Recording rehearsals

– iteration effect

Timing

Physical fitness and

mental toughness –

knowing the field

Why did I lose?

Topic Selection

Too much in the moment –

Happy or Sad

Draw of lots – Butterfly effect

Judges

Dress Sense

Summary

Message – KISS Principle

Power of Practice

Play by the field by the battle

Self-appraisal and tracking

Q&A