Welcome to Informative!
In this event, competitors explain a topic from their own unique perspective. It’s amazing how many creative and serious speech topics you’ll hear in this category.
How This Event Works
Informative speeches begin with students selecting a topic they see as valuable and worthy of time for research, deep thinking, and sharing with others. As they learn about their chosen topic they organize what they plan to say into a script for the speech they will deliver in competition rounds within a ten-minute time limit. They practice the delivery and timing for every tournament, and throughout the season they make adjustments based on feedback as they learn to better connect with the audience.
Learn More about Platform Speaking Events
Featured Resource
Our kit can get you started on the process of writing a great speech!
Intro to Platform
With six hours of instruction and activities, an easy-to-follow facilitator guide, printable student activity packets, and slides, even a novice parent can successfully lead students through Intro to Platform. Recordings of the live event are also available for families or groups.
Informative FAQs
Why should I participate in Informative?
Platform events invite students to share ideas and information with their audience. Specifically, participating in Informative will:
- Spark personal growth. Informative invites you to encounter new ideas and perspectives.
- Strengthen communication skills. You’ll learn how to research, analyze, reason, write, persuade, present, reflect, and refine. These are skills that students will use for the rest of their lives.
- Boost Confidence. Public speaking requires students to step out of their comfort zone and learn to speak to a variety of audiences.
- Expand Influence. Students will be able to expand their influence through their willingness to speak publicly on important issues and ideas.
Do we still have a grace period for speeches exceeding the time limit?
The automatic 2-rank penalty will only be applied after 15 seconds of the speech time limit. Find clarification on overtime in the event guidelines under “Timekeeping Protocols” (see Apologetics as an example), in the Speech Head Judge Instructions, and as an example of a timekeeping rule penalty in the Compliance Penalty Addendum. Keep in mind that while the grace period allows for small mishaps and miscalculations, judges may still consider the time limit of the speech event as they rank. We advise competitors to prepare for these variables by continuing to practice a speech under the time limit.
Find Your Voice, Shape Your Future
Join us as you embark on a transformative journey to become a powerful and effective communicator.
