Last Updated: August 3, 2025

Impromptu Event Rules

Need a physical copy? Use the button below to print this page for easy reference.

 Print FriendlyRules & Guidelines Home

League Policies

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

    B. Academic Integrity

    1.  Citations. All material presented in the speech must be either 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. Current Season. Speeches must be prepared and delivered during the current competitive season only.

    C. Content, Preparation, and Presentation

    1. Topic. Competitors must prepare for and speak on one of the two topic options assigned to them.  The topic must be stated during the speech.
    2. Materials. Except the topic card at an in-person tournament, no written or printed materials may be held or referenced during the delivery of the speech.

    D. Timing

    1. Prep Time. Preparation time is limited to two (2) minutes
      1. Show. Competitors must show their timepiece (set to count down) to the judges before starting their prep time.
      2. Start. They must start the timer and then draw the topic card.
      3. Show. At the end of the prep time, they must show the remaining time on the timepiece OR allow an audible alarm to indicate the end of the two (2) minutes.
    2. Speech Time. Speech time is limited to five (5) minutes. Competitors must show their timepiece (set to count up) to the judges before starting their speech and after turning off their timepiece at the end of their speech. The timepiece must be started before beginning the speech and kept running until the conclusion of the speech.
    3. Time Slot. Competitors must present their speech during their prescribed 15-minute slot and are not permitted to infringe on the next competitor’s scheduled time.

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