Extemporaneous Speaking Format Explained
Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp) is a speech event about current events. A student draws a question, gets 30 minutes to prepare from articles collected beforehand, then answers it in a 7-minute speech. It is offered from middle school to college.
The Extemporaneous Speaking round, speech by speech
| # | Speech | Side | Length | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extemp Speech | Speaker | 7:00 | Speech |
| Speaking time | 7:00 | Plus 30:00 prep time | ||
Scroll right for the full table →
The rules that actually matter
- The student draws a few questions about current news and picks one to answer.
- They get 30 minutes to prepare, using articles gathered ahead of time. Most tournaments do not allow the internet during this.
- The speech runs 7 minutes.
- It should start by answering the question directly, in one clear sentence.
- It should be built around 2 or 3 points, each backed by a named source with a date — for example, "The Economist, March 2024".
- Only a small note card is allowed while speaking. It should sound like talking, not like reading.
- Judges score how it was organized, the sources used, the thinking behind it, and how it was delivered — not whether the prediction turns out to be right.
Prepping an Extemp round?
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How to prep for an Extemp round
- Build a file of articles on current events by topic, with publication and date on every one.
- Practice writing a one-sentence answer to the question in the first few minutes of prep.
- Structure every speech around two or three points, each backed by a named, dated source.
- Rehearse speaking from a single note card so it sounds like talking, not reading.
How Extemp rounds are judged
What a judge is weighing when they fill in the ballot. For the general principles behind these, see how judges decide debate rounds.
- Judge organization, use of credible and cited sources, and how directly the speech answers the drawn question.
- Reward original analysis over generic, recycled talking points — citations should support the speaker’s own reasoning, not replace it.
- The strict limits (30 minutes of prep, then a 7-minute speech) are part of the skill being tested — factor how well they used it, and that the speech is delivered from memory with no notes.
Check yourself
Answer before you open each one.
How much prep time do you get after drawing your question?
30 minutes
How long is an Extemp speech?
7 minutes
How should an Extemp speech open?
With a clear, direct answer to the question drawn
How should each main point be supported?
With a named, dated source
What are you judged on in Extemp?
Structure, source use, analysis, and delivery
Frequently asked questions
What is the speech order in Extemporaneous Speaking?
Extemporaneous Speaking is a single timed speech: Extemp Speech (7 minutes), plus prep time.
How long is an extemp speech?
The speech runs 7 minutes, after 30 minutes of preparation using articles gathered ahead of time.
How many sources should an extemp speech cite?
Build the speech around two or three points, each backed by a named source with a date.
Prep your next Extemp round with The Debate Prep
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