1. To provide an avenue for students to sharpen their speaking skills and to build confidence in public presentation.
2. To promote public speaking in plain English as an important communication skill.
3. To provide an opportunity for students to learn by observing proficient speakers.

PARTICIPATION CRITERIA

1. Participants must be from Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges, the Centralised Institute, Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics or Private Institutions.
   * Secondary School-age students will compete in a separate category from the JC/CI/ITE/Poly Category.
2. Each school will be allowed to send in ONE representative per category, where applicable.  Schools are strongly encouraged to conduct a school-based competition using the format of the YMCA PESA competition in selecting their representative.
3. Past champions are NOT allowed to participate, unless they are competing in a new category.

COMPETITION SYSTEM
*In the event of overwhelming responses, there may be changes to the numbers.

For the Secondary School Category

• The preliminary rounds of the competition may take place over *4 days.
• Schools will be assigned dates for the preliminary rounds and will be informed of the dates for the competition rounds.
• *16 contestants with the highest scores, from the *4 preliminary rounds will be selected to proceed to the semi-finals.
• *8 contestants from the semi-finals will be selected to proceed to the Finals.

The competition structure is as follows:

For each of the Preliminary Rounds

• All contestants will present their prepared speeches.
• *16 contestants with the highest scores will proceed to the Semi-Finals.
• Schools will be notified of the result after the last Preliminary round, via email.

For the Semi - Finals

• All *16 contestants will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• Contestants can choose to repeat the same speech as that used in the Preliminary round or choose to tell a new speech.
• Based on the combined scores of the prepared and impromptu speeches of these 16 participants, the *8 contestants with the highest scores will proceed to the Finals.
• Semi-Finalists are to stay till the end for the announcement of the results.

For the Finals

• All *8 contestants will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• Contestants MUST present a brand new speech based on a new topic.
• Based on the combined scores of the prepared and impromptu speeches, the top 3 award winners will be selected.
• Finalists are to stay till the end for the announcement of the results.

For the JC/CI/ITE/PolyCategory

• The preliminary rounds of the competition may take place over *2 days.
• Schools will be assigned dates for the preliminary rounds and will be informed of the dates for the competition rounds.
• *16 contestants with the highest scores, from the 2 preliminary rounds will be selected to proceed to the Semi-finals.
• *8 contestants from the Semi-final will be selected to proceed to the Finals.

The competition structure is as follows:
During the Preliminary Round:

• All contestants will present their prepared speeches.
• *16 contestants with the highest scores will proceed to the Semi – Finals.
• Schools will be notified of the result after the last Preliminary round, via email.

For the Semi - Finals

• All *16 contestants will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• Contestants can choose to repeat the same speech as that used in the Preliminary round or choose to tell a new speech.
• Based on the combined scores of the prepared and impromptu speeches of these 14 participants, the *8 contestants with the highest scores will proceed to the Finals.
• Contestants are to stay till the end for the announcement of the results.

For the Finals

• All *8 finalists will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• Contestants MUST present a brand new speech based on a new topic.
• Based on the combined scores of the prepared and impromptu speeches, the top 3 award winners will be selected.
• Contestants are to stay till the end for the announcement of the results.
  

A) COMPETITION RULES: PREPARED SPEECH
I) Speech Subject & Preparation

1. Contestants will select their topics for the prepared speech in advance.
2. Contestants must prepare their own speeches, which must be largely original. Any references must be cited during the delivery of the speech.
3. Contestants are not allowed to use past years’ scripts as their speeches.
4. Contestants need not send in the scripts before the competition, but they have to notify the Secretariat of their chosen topics. 
   Important: Contestants are responsible for the speeches they make.
5. Contestants are advised not to bring cue cards on stage, as marks will be penalised.
6. Note: This is a speech competition, NOT a talent competition.  Any form of talent showcase (eg. singing, acting, playing of instrument) will result in points being deducted for the presentation.

II) General Procedure

1. Photography & Videography from any member of the audience is STRICTLY NOT allowed.
2. Contestants will be seated according to their turns.
3. The emcee will introduce each contestant by announcing the contestant’s name, school and title of their speech.
4. Any contestant who is not present at his/her turn will be disqualified.
5. Contestants are to stand at the designated area on the stage and are not allowed to leave the stage until they have completed their speeches.
6. Contestants can choose to use either a clip-on microphone or a wireless handheld microphone during the competition.
7. There will be a 30-second break after each speech to allow the judges to grade the presentation.
8. Contestants must remain in their seats after their turns throughout the duration of the contest.
9. Contestants and members of the audience are advised to remain silent throughout the competition to avoid distracting the speaker on stage and judges at work.
10. Contestants and members of the audience are NOT allowed to communicate with the judges and timekeepers during the competition.
    

III) Timing of the Speeches

For Preliminary Rounds, Semi-Finals & Finals [3 to 5.5 minutes]

Every contestant is required to speak for a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes 30 seconds.  Any contestant who fails to adhere to the time limits will be penalised.  The procedure will be as follows:

• Timing will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant.
• The green light will be turned on after 3 minutes and remain on for 1 minute.
  
• The amber light will be turned on after 4 minutes and remain on for 1 minute.
  
• The red light will be turned on after 5 minutes to warn the contestant to conclude the story in 30 seconds. The red light will remain on until the story has ended.

Note: Do NOT conclude your speech before the green light comes on!

B) COMPETITION RULES: IMPROMPTU SPEECH
I ) Objectives

1. To develop spontaneous speaking skills.
2. To provide a platform for students to display their creativity and to overcome their fear of speaking off the cuff.
3. To provide students with an opportunity to sharpen their speaking skills by observing other proficient speakers.

II) Speech Topic & Preparation

1. The speech topics will be selected in advance by the organising committee. These topics will be kept strictly confidential prior to the contest.
2. The contestant will not require detailed knowledge of the topic but will need to give an opinion or a conclusion.
   

III) General Procedure

1. At the start of the Impromptu Speech component, all contestants will be led to a holding room. The first contestant will be given the *3 envelopes in a separate preparation room. He / she will have to pick One envelope and select a topic from within.  He / she will then be given about 2 minutes to prepare his / her speech after which the contestant will be led to the competition area.
2. There will be a 30-second break after each speech to allow the judges to grade the presentation.
3. Meanwhile, the second contestant will be led to the preparation room to prepare for his / her turn.
4. All contestants will speak from the same designated area on the stage.
5. Contestants will be seated according to their turns.
6. All contestants will return to their seats after their presentations, and continue to watch the rest of the contest.
7. Contestants are advised to refrain from re-introducing themselves when on stage.  (The Emcee would introduce the contestants and their topics.)  They should begin their speeches immediately.
8. Contestants can make notes in the holding room while waiting for their turns to speak. However, they are not allowed to use their notes or cue cards on stage.
9. Contestants must remain in their seats after their turns throughout the duration of the contest.
   

IV) Timing of the Speeches
For Semi-Finals & Finals [2 to 3.5 minutes]

1. Every contestant is required to speak for a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3.5 minutes.  Any contestant who fails to adhere to the time limits will be penalised.  The procedure will be as follows:
   
   • Timing will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant.
   • The green light will be turned on after 2 minutes and remain on for 30 seconds.
     
   • The amber light will be turned on after 2 minutes 30 seconds and remain on for 30 seconds.
     
   • The red light will be turned on after 3 minutes to warn the contestant to conclude the story in 30 seconds. The red light will remain on until the story has ended.

   Note: Do NOT conclude your speech before the green light comes on!

2. In the event of any technical failure of the signal, the contestant will be allowed a grace period of 30 seconds.
   

C) JUDGING
The following rules are applicable to both the Prepared Speech and Impromptu Speech components:

I) Selection of Judges
Judges will be selected by the organising committee.  A minimum of 3 judges will preside during each round of the competition.  The names of the judges will not be divulged before the contest.

II) Protests

1. Protests from the audience must be directed to the Secretariat, who will then forward them to the Chief Judge, prior to the announcement of the results.
2. After the announcement of the results, no protests will be entertained.
3. The decision of the judges will be final.

III) Judging Criteria for Prepared & Impromptu Speech

• LANGUAGE (40%)
  Contestants are expected to use Standard English, appropriate vocabulary and a range of grammatically correct structures and literary or stylistic devices to convey meaning.  Contestants’ speech must be easily understood.  Words must be clearly articulated with suitable intonation and pitch.

• CONTENT (30%)
  It must be well-conceived, logical and able to arrest the interest and attention of the audience.

• PRESENTATION (30%)
  Contestants must speak with confidence and show an ability to engage in persuasive arguments, in order to convince the audience of their stand.  They may also use suitable body language and facial expressions.

D) TOPICS FOR PREPARED SPEECH
For the Secondary Category, the contestants should base their Prepared Speech on the following topics: 

• A Smart Move
• All Traditions Should Be Preserved
• Honesty Is The Best Policy
• Never Judge A Book By Its Cover
• Reality TV Shows Develop Young Minds
• “The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

For the JC/CI/ITE/Poly, the contestants should base their Prepared Speech on the following topics: 

• A Lesson Learnt In Humility
• A Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes
• Globalisation Has United the World Today
• My Cup Is Always Half-Full, Rather Than Half-Empty
• Overcoming Life’s Obstacles
• Is the Art of Listening A Necessary Life Skill?

Contestants can choose to present the same speech or deliver a new speech for Semi-Finals. However, all Finalists are to choose a new topic for the Finals.

E) THE AWARDS

The National winners from the Pre-School category, Lower and Upper Primary categories, Secondary category and Junior College / Centralised Institution / ITE / Polytechnic category will receive the YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards trophy and other prizes from the sponsors.

Participants who are selected to enter Semi-Finals or Finals will be awarded based on their best score.

F) HOW TO REGISTER

1. Complete the enclosed Registration Form (remember to attach a recent passport-sized photo).
2. If you are paying by cheque, please make the cheque payable to ‘YMCA of Singapore’). Indicate on the back of the cheque “Registration Fee for 24th YMCA PESA”.
3. Send the registration form and cheque to the following address, before 11 June 2010 (Friday), 5pm: