Welcome to Extemporaneous!

Extemporaneous FAQs

• Why should I participate in Extemporaneous?

  Like in other Limited Preparation events, Extemporaneous provides students with heightened analytical skills, increased adaptability, and increased performance skill. Students will also:

  • Increase their knowledge of current events. Extemporaneous speaking is an excellent way to learn about geopolitical history, geography, and current events. 
  • Increase their understanding of bias. The research element also enables students to learn how to evaluate sources for presuppositions, worldview, and biases. 
  • Increase understanding of personal values and the values of others. The more students discuss current events, they will see how each individual’s value system informs what they believe about everything.  Answering questions about current events helps students examine and develop their own value system and what they actually believe.

• How can I anticipate Extemp topics I will draw in a tournament?

  The two topics to choose from on the topic card will come from newsworthy events in the last 90 days. Preliminary rounds will cover domestic topics including US politics, the economy, US foreign policy, and some US cultural issues. Elimination rounds will allow the more advanced Extemper to demonstrate knowledge of global current events by expanding the potential topic areas to include international topics.

• Can I see some sample Extemp Questions?

  The following questions were used during the 2023-2024 Competition Season. They are provided here to give prospective competitors an idea of what to expect.

  • How should the US respond to Russia’s military build-up near the Ukrainian border?
  • Is the US right to be cautious about the progress of the Vienna talks with Iran?
  • What impact will a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics have on US-China relations?
  • How will Covid impact higher education in the long term?
  • Should GoFundMe face legal consequences for suspending the “Freedom Convoy” fundraiser?
  • Would student loan forgiveness help or hurt the US economy?
  • How can the Biden administration slow inflation?
  • Is it time for the US to end its involvement in Yemen?
  • Should states include parents in the school policy decision making process?
  • Will Americans’ migration from blue to red states further divide the US?
  • Are SPACs’ underperformance a problem to be concerned about?
  • Should librarians have sole responsibility for what books are in school libraries?
  • Does Will Smith’s Oscars incident show that America has forgotten how to laugh?
  • What is next for Louisiana’s redistricting maps?
  • Will California be the first US state to issue reparations for African Americans?
  • What is the underlying cause of the rise in violent crime in America?
  • Is the US prepared for subvariant BA.2?
  • How do Ketanji Brown Jackson’s qualifications compare to those of the current Justices?
  • Will Republicans back efforts to “re-shore” supply chains?
  • Can Florida find a fair redistricting map?

• What materials can I bring into the competition room for my Extemp prep time?

  In addition to the materials listed in the rules, competitors may bring writing utensils, blank notecards, or a charging cord or block for the laptop. Please note that charging stations or outlets are not guaranteed at any facility.

• Can I access the internet during prep time in Extemp?

  No, but competitors may download articles before the round.

• Do I have to state the topic verbatim in my Limited Preparation speech?

  The judges will have a list of all the topics assigned to each competitor, so they will expect to hear what is on that list. We recommend that competitors include that topic early into the speech in order to avoid confusion and a negative reflection on the ballot.

• What does academic integrity look like in Extemp? What do the rules mean by using “verifiable support for analysis”?

  Citing sources for supporting material is key to success for Extemporaneous speaking. Judges will listen for not only who or where the material is from but when that information was published. This is what the rules mean by “verifiable support for analysis.” Based on what was said in the speech, can a listener reasonably be able to find that same information in order to verify its accuracy?

• How does NCFCA view plagiarism?

  NCFCA does not approach a rule infraction as an intentional action, but rather an opportunity for effective communication growth.  The rules and the adjudication process exist to maintain fair play for the competition, which is a tool for growth.  NCFCA does not seek to judge the heart of competitors or affiliate families.  However, we do not deny the refining heart process that happens through the adjudication process; in fact, we embrace it because it allows the Lord to sanctify His children.  This refining is part of how NCFCA, including staff, parents, and students, fulfills our mission, “to challenge and equip ambassadors for Christ to communicate truth with integrity and grace.”  Whether intentional or not, plagiarism will be adjudicated.  Whether this is an area of understanding, skill, or an attitude of obedience

• How can I tell if I’m plagiarizing?

  A bright-line test is to ask, “Is this mine?  Did I make this, or did I receive this?”  As a fundamental commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15), we ambassadors for Christ should take issues of academic ownership as seriously as we do physical, material ownership.  You should not copy and paste sentences or even phrases and call it yours.  Even if you are summarizing someone else’s ideas, they should receive credit.  If it’s unclear to you, asking for advice from parents and coaches is always wise. 

• Do I have to cite a tune that everyone knows, like “Silent Night”?

  Common knowledge that is known to most people does not need to be cited in any way (e.g., George Washington was the first U.S. President, Jesus rose on the third day, words to a universally known hymn such as “Amazing Grace”).”  Some tunes may fall into the category of common knowledge and not need to be cited.  However, a tune considered “well-known” can be somewhat subjective.  Citing a source is never looked down upon.

• Rules Changes Overview for 2024-2025

  The changes to Speech Rules for 2025 have been approached with three major goals in mind:
  Simplification
  Transparency
  Clarification

  Simplification:
  For the past several years, the Speech Guide has contained General Rules, Timekeeping Rules, Category Rules, Event-Specific Rules, and Script-Submission and Script-Use Rules. The 2025 Speech Rules will only contain rules for each specific event. (i.e., All rules for Apologetics will only be in “Apologetics Rules.”) Timekeeping guidelines, script-submission guidelines, tournament protocols, and other helpful information and examples will still be found in the Speech Guidelines, but will not be considered rules which could receive a penalty.

  Transparency:
  The 2025 Speech Rules will include a Penalty Appendix which explains the type of penalties that can be applied to certain rule violations and examples of each.

  Clarification:
  Most of the changes to the Speech Rules for 2025 come from separating rules that can receive a penalty from tournament protocols and guidelines. Other changes come from rewording rules for the sake of clarity. Any significant rule changes are noted in this document.

• Rule Changes for All Speeches for 2024-2025

  An in-text parenthetical for supporting material is strongly recommended but no longer required. (Ballots will provide the opportunity for judges to weigh academic integrity, so the rules will only require verbal mentions and Works Cited.)

  Timekeeping rules have been simplified. (The simplification allows for less confusion.)

• Which rules changed in Limited Preparation speeches for 2024-2025?

  Chosen topic stated early in the speech has been modified to only require stating the topic. (Judges will determine the effectiveness of when the topic is stated.)

• Which rules changed in Extemporaneous for 2024-2025?

  Domestic or International topic rule removed. For 2025, preliminary rounds will focus on domestic topics; elimination rounds will also include international topics.

  Names are no longer required on 3” x 5” cards. (This rule is no longer applicable as competitors retain their cards rather than turning them into the Extemp Prep Coordinator.)

• What should I do if I see a speech that looks so familiar, like something I’ve seen before?

  In a tournament setting, any observer may bring a question of rules to Compliance during a tournament regarding a speech they saw.  

  A judge should report their concern to Compliance. Sometimes judges do not report because they don’t want to raise a concern if there is a possibility that they are wrong. But what if the judge is right? Luke 8:17 says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” If a student has plagiarized, there is a point where that deceit will come to light—either in this life or after. The constructive community of NCFCA is a far better place (and time) for the lesson of integrity to be learned versus later in life (college, workplace, etc.).

  A student may also report a concern of this nature with their parent involved.  This is a good opportunity for the student and parent to love a neighbor as themselves: testing their own motives, humbling themselves to think the best of others, entering into the shared experience of all parties relying wholly on God’s provision, and interceding through prayer on behalf of their fellow brother/sister in Christ and of NCFCA.  

• Where on the ballot can we see timer penalties applied?

  Penalties, including timer penalties, are found at the bottom of the ballot.

• If a penalty is applied to my speech, does Tab change the judge’s original ranking?

  Tab does not change the judge’s original ranking on the ballot.

• How many times do competitors give their speeches during the tournament?

  During preliminary rounds, competitors will give a speech three times for every event in which they are entered. If they advance to elimination rounds, they may give a speech in a SemiFinal or Final round as well.

• When and how do competitors get their ballots?

  After the tournament, ballots will be available from the Ballots button on the right side of the dashboard just above the Tournament Results button.

• What if my limited prep topic is not releasing in an online competition room?

  • Verify that the draw time has arrived. (Competitors can draw any time after the assigned time but not before. Check the time-zone of your computer.)
  • If the draw time has just arrived, wait at least 60 seconds and try again.
  • Check that the clock on the device is set to the correct time and aligns with the times shown on postings.  (Posting times are based on the time-zone setting of the device, but it is possible for the clock to be manually set to a different time.)
  • If draw time is not the issue, the problem is generally with the competitor’s connection speed. Keep trying and take steps to improve the connection speed.