ESU Canada - Public Speaking

ESU Canada Presents

HSBC National Public Speaking Competition

(l to r) Anisah Mahomed, Aislin Flynn and Simran Dhunna.

Click here for the 2010 International Competition Handbook. (Note: A revised version was posted on 09/11/23 - addition of judging criteria.)

Tournament Rules

• Each Speaker will be allocated 5 minutes.
• No visual aids or microphones are used by the Chair, Judges or Speaker. This includes props of any kind.
• Five marks will be deducted for speeches which vary more than 45 seconds either side of 5 minutes. The Timekeeper will also give an audible signal after 4 minutes 15 seconds, and at 5 minutes, and 5 minutes 45 seconds. At the end of 6 minutes Speakers will be asked to finish their speech immediately.
• A Timekeeper will record the lengths of speeches.
• Students will be assigned to rooms randomly. The sequence of Speakers within each round and room will be selected at random, co-ordinated by the Timekeeper, and will be written on the board.
• Speakers will be scored out of 100 on the provided ballot for the preliminary rounds. The top five will advance to finals.
• Scoring:
  • Subject, Reasoning and Evidence, 45%
  • Expression and Delivery, 35%
  • Establishing Credibility, 20%
• Each round will be judged by 4 or 5 judges. We will ask judges to complete all score sheets for all competitors and hand in both rounds at once.
• The scoring for the finals only will be done using a rank system. Judges will rank all competitors from 1st to 5th, and students will be assigned 5,3,2,1 and 0 points respectively. In the unlikely event of a tie, the prepared rounds will break the tie.
• The ESU Handbook makes reference to a question period from members of the audience and the judging panel. THIS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED.

International Public Speaking Competition
London, England, May 2011

Erin Singer reached the semi-finals of the 2011 IPSC, the best result ever by a Canadian.

We received this write-up by Dan Ton-That, via Liana Palko, Senior English Department Head, Selwyn House, who accompanied Dan, and notes, 'Dan and I had an absolutely fabulous time, and I know this trip will be one of the highlights of Dan's high school career.'

'Being a 16 year old at this competition, and, I believe, the youngest competitor there, I wasn't sure whether or not I would fit in. Truth be told, I didn't think I would make everlasting friendships and create inseparable bonds. Boy was I wrong! The people I met, 82 competitors from 49 countries, were the nicest, most inviting and compassionate people I have ever met. The level of competition was fantastic and the organizers were helpful, informative, and very knowledgeable. We got to explore London and, most importantly, we got to know each other. Regardless of the continent, age or gender, everyone was kind and considerate, which made it extremely easy to get to know each other. That's what makes the ESU such a unique competition. I've been to other public speaking contests and the vibe and atmosphere just isn't the same. Sure you still meet new people, but the IPSC brings something else to the table: the truly finest young adults you can find around the world. This week has been less about competing and more about bonding which has contributed to one of the best trips and moments of my life. Thanks very much to the English Speaking Union (Canada) for making this experience possible!'

Dan Ton-That with one of his new friends at the IPSC