Think you’ve got the public speaking skills worthy of Justice Michael Kirby? Well, you need to register NOW for the USU Justice Michael Kirby Plain Speaking Competition.
Now in its third year, this competition offers students of all experience levels a chance to test and practice their public speaking skills in an environment that is both constructive and competitive. If that’s not enough of a reason to compete, here’s another sweetener: big prizes for the winner and finalists.
In 2009 for the first time, USU will be holding a separate English as a Second Language Stream. It’s open only and caters specially for students with English as a second language. Such students may enter either stream of the competition, but not both. The ESL Stream is proudly sponsored by the
Centre for English Teaching.
Heats for the main competition will occur in Weeks 7 and 8, with semi-finals in Week 10. Heats for the Second Language stream will occur in Week 9, and there will be no semi-finals.
The Grand Final for both streams will be in Week 11.
At each round, you will be judged on your delivery of two speeches: a prepared speech and an impromptu speech. Prepared speeches will be 4 – 5 minutes and are chosen by you from one of three topics (topics for the heats are listed below). For your impromptu speech, you will be given 5 minutes preparation time (10 minutes for international students) to deliver a 3 minute speech. Each heat has a different impromptu topic which will be announced on the day.
Finally, if you’d like some training before you compete, come along to the Sydney Uni Public Speaking Society weekly Speakeasy (Tuesday, 5-7:30pm, Carslaw 175) where we hold seminars and run coaching sessions. Everyone is welcome!
Topics for prepared speeches for both streams:
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Signed, sealed, delivered
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Cream of the crop
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Crisis point
Download Judging Criteria Form
For further information regarding the Kirby Cup, please email
Heats:
1. 22 April 2009 at the Reading Room, Holme Building
2. 23 April 2009 at the Reading Room, Holme Building
3. 29 April 2009 at the Reading Room, Holme Building
4. 30 April 2009 at the Reading Room, Holme Building
Semi Final: 12 May 2009 at the Reading Room, Holme Building
Grand Final: 21 May 2009 at the Refectory, Holme Building