Among the changes in NCFCA competition this season, timekeeping is one of the most significant. We have entrusted debate timekeeping to the debaters themselves and they are rising to the challenge. Head Judges are keeping time for speeches, and we are allowing competitors to see the timepiece for limited preparation speeches.
One of the goals of NCFCA participation is learning life skills. The ability to choose what to say, or what not to say, in order to effectively deliver a message within a given time limit is one such life skill. We appreciate when a speaker is respectful of time, in a wide variety of venues, when we are the listener! Of course, there are no penalties in real-word speaking, right? The sales rep who has a 15-minute appointment to convince a company to buy his product, the marketing team creating a 30-second Super Bowl ad at a cost of $5.1-$5.3 million, the college student given a maximum of 20 minutes to deliver a presentation, or the doctor who has 15 patients to see and treat in a day might disagree. Speaking without time limits can have consequences.
NCFCA participation is also a competition. In competitive events, rules ensure a level playing field. When a competitor is outside the rules, penalties apply. During competition, keep in mind:
Being respectful of time limits as well as competing within the rules are important skills for effective, life-long communication. We have full confidence that you can do it!
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