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After Dinner Speaking

Rules

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After Dinner Speaking Rules

Event Rules, which include the corresponding linked definitions, set the boundaries for what is allowed within the competition space and time for the specified event. These rules apply under the umbrella of our Tournament Participation Policies, Judge Policies, Compliance Policies, and our overarching League Affiliation Policies.

  • After Dinner Speaking Description

    Speakers write and deliver an original speech, which may be humorous or lighthearted, to engage the audience and reinforce the message. The primary purpose is to inspire and/or connect with the audience, leaving them in good spirits.

  • Speech General Rules

    A. General Rules for All Speeches

    Updated August 4, 2026. All rules will be finalized by the end of October for the 2026-27 competition season.

    1. Mission Alignment. Speeches must be in alignment with the NCFCA Mission Statement. Any speech content that advocates a position counter to the Foundational Beliefs of the league will not be allowed in competition. 
      1. Content. All content must be free from vulgar, heinous, sexually explicit, obscene, profane, or inappropriate material. This includes explicit and implied language or gestures.
      2. Disclaimer. Any speech that contains potentially intense or sensitive themes or examples must be preceded by this disclaimer: “This speech contains potentially intense or sensitive material.”  The speaker should then allow any time necessary for audience members to exit the room if they choose to do so.
      3. Theme. Any dark themes must provide a redemptive element.
    2. Presentation.
      1. Pre-show. A pre-show is not permitted. 
      2. Professionalism. Only feet are permitted to intentionally touch the floor at any time. Gymnastics is not permitted.
      3. Additional items. Costumes and visual aids are not permitted. (The visual aids in Biblical Presentation/Thematic and the slides in Digital Presentation are exceptions.)
    3. Interaction. Requesting verbal or physical participation (e.g., raising hand, clapping, verbal responses, closing eyes) from audience members, including judges, is not permitted. 
    4. Electronic Devices. Competitors may not access electronic devices to prepare the speech or conduct research during the round. Requesting, sending, or receiving information is also prohibited.

  • After Dinner Speaking Event Rules

    A. General Rules for All Speeches (see above or ncfca.org/rules/speech-general-rules)

    B. Academic Integrity

    1. CITATIONS. All material presented must be either the competitors’ original work or include the source(s) for any supporting material. Plagiarism is not permitted.
        1. Verbal mention. Sources must be verbally mentioned.
        2. Works Cited Page. Sources must be included on a Works Cited page in the Format 1 script.
    2. CURRENT SEASON. Speeches used for competition in a prior season may not be used in any other competition season.
    3. RECITED SCRIPT. The submitted script must be recited during all competition rounds. (See Speech Competition Entry Limits here.)
    4. CHAMPIONSHIPS. During the Regional Championship or the National Championship, competitors must perform the same piece that they performed when they earned the invitation to compete at the championship tournament. Only minor changes are permitted.

    C. Content, Preparation, and Presentation

    1. WORD COUNT. Direct quotations may comprise up to 350 words of the total words in the speech.
    2. SCRIPT USE. Competitors must announce script use before the speech begins.
      1. Non-championship tournaments. Script use will result in a four-rank penalty.
      2. Championship tournaments. Script use at a Regional or National Championship will result in disqualification from the event.

    D. Timing Rules in After Dinner Speaking

    1. SPEECH TIME. Speech time is limited to seven (7) minutes.
      1. Show/Start. Competitors must show the judges their timepiece (set to count up) to the judges before starting their speech
      2. Kept running. The timepiece must be started before beginning the speech and kept running until the conclusion of the speech.
      3. Stop/Show. At the end of their speech, competitors must show the judges their final speech time after stopping their timepiece.
    2. TIME SLOT. Competitors must present their speech during their prescribed 10-minute slot and are not permitted to infringe on the next competitor’s scheduled time.

    See the head judge guidelines for timer issues here.

    E. Online General Rules (see below or ncfca.org/rules/online-general-rules)