SLAM

SLAM ONLINE 2023 will again be open to multiple clubs, which adds to the experience.

Be sure to note that the scheduled times on this page reflect PACIFIC time zone. Always check posted information to note when events are scheduled. You are responsible for arriving on time and ready!

Interested in competing? Email doreen@socalspeechanddebate.com by Tuesday, May 23, 2023 with the event(s) you want to take part in. (Only available to current dues-paying club members.)

List and order of contestants will be published by May 26, 2023.

You can watch the SLAM Online events through our YouTube livestream on the SpeakersLeague channel.

Due to the time constraints of the event, we may end up having to place potential contestants into a lottery to see who will be able to compete. If your contestant is not chosen in the lottery, he or she will be added as an alternate should a contest spot become available.

* NOTE: Club members’ June dues cover the costs associated with our end-of-year SLAM regardless of whether we hold the event in late May, or June. If you are a club member when the SLAM event occurs but then withdraw from your club prior to your scheduled June dues payment, you would still be liable for June dues.

Details about SLAM ONLINE Contests

Note: Number of contestants may be limited due to time constraints.

Rules subject to change with notification.

Impromptu Speech Contests

Speakers League and Junior Speakers League Contests - 2 minutes

Judging panel determines the winner. Maximum entrants: 18 per contest

View judging panel tips (advice may need to be modified for online SLAMs): https://youtu.be/z5hLyVxPVcg.

Contestants will be “held” in the virtual waiting room until it is their turn in front of the judges. One at a time, the contestants are transferred into the main online meeting room to receive the contest question. Just like in a regular Speakers League meeting, contestants must reach the red signal (2-minutes) but not the bell (rung at 2 1/2 minutes) to be eligible to be voted for by the judging panel.  

Impromptu Contest FAQs

May I use visual aids?

No. Just like in a Speakers League meeting, you should keep your hands free for gestures. For SLAM, no hand-held visual aids are allowed. Also, no screen sharing or annotation.

May I use notes?

No. Just like in a Speakers League meeting, you would not use notes.

What do I receive if I win the contest?

An engraved medal will be awarded. This will be mailed to the winner shortly after the event.

Humorous Speech Contest – 5-7 minutes

Judging panel determines the winner. Maximum entrants: 8

For quality control, this contest is only open to Speakers League and Junior Speakers League members who submit a sample video or draft written section of their presentation in advance (2023 submission deadline: May 30), and are approved by the organizers.

The object of this speech is to use humor to get your audience smiling and laughing. There are lots of techniques that speakers use to add humor to their speeches:

Do the Reverse
This kind of humor comes from surprising your audience by staking out a position that is the reverse of what would be considered normal. If you are giving a speech on candy, talk about how candy is a vital part of our diet because it gives us energy. Giving a speech about nursery rhymes?
Talk about how they promote dangerous behavior by children – jumping over lit candles??! The absurdity of your topic will get them laughing.
Change it Up
Lots of things can be funny, and variety can also keep your audience surprised and amused. Puns, physical humor, exaggeration, irony, sarcasm, and word play are available to you.
Finish with a Winner
In a humor speech you want to start strong to get the audience warmed up, but don’t use all of your best material and leave a weak ending. Be sure to close your speech with a final joke or observation that ties it all up well.
Circle Around
In speaking, there is a technique called a “callback.” When using this technique, you reference something from earlier in your speech. This helps tie your speech together and can be used to great comic effect. For example, you could mention that your teacher wants homework turned in by email and that this makes it hard to come up with the old “my dog ate my homework” excuse. Later in the speech your “callback moment” is when you mention that you call your computer Rover because it has seemingly eaten so much homework every time it has crashed.

Other things to remember for a humor speech

Remember that when giving an online speech, it's often difficult to gauge audience reaction, as you may not be able to see or hear your viewers. On the plus-side, you won't have to adjust your timing to allow for laughter! Even with the best preparation, some parts of your speech may not go as well as you planned, in terms of audience laughter. Don’t scold the audience for not “getting” your humor or let this negatively affect the rest of your presentation. Just keep going and give the audience more chances to see and hear the humor. Practicing with friends or family ahead of time will help you refine your delivery.

Humorous Speech Contest FAQs

Can my speech be longer or shorter than 5-7 minutes?: To be eligible to win, your speech must meet the standard eligibility point for a 5-7 minute speech at a club meeting, meaning you need to reach the green signal (5 minutes), but not reach the bell (7 1/2 minutes.) If you attempt to exceed 7 1/2 minutes, you will be muted.

May I use visual aids?: Yes, but only physical ones where you are located. No screen sharing or annotation.

May I use notes?: Yes, but, all things being equal, the judging panel is likely to prefer speeches presented with minimal or no notes.

What do I receive if I win the contest? An engraved medal will be awarded. This will be mailed to the winner shortly after the event.

Capstone Speech Contest  – 7 minutes

Open to Speakers League members who have given at least three speeches. Judging panel determines the winner. Maximum entrants: 11

Present a speech on a researched topic in a way that incorporates all of the skills learned in Speakers League – excellent eye contact, natural gestures, vocal variety, visual aids, and clear organization. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIMING OF THE SPEECH MUST FALL WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME FRAME OF 7-MINUTES, PLUS OR MINUS 30 SECONDS.

Capstone Contest FAQs

May I use visual aids? Yes.

May I use notes? Yes.

May I present a speech I have already given in the club, or elsewhere? Yes, but it must be the first presentation of this particular speech for SLAM.

Do I need to turn in an MLA formatted outline? No.

What do I receive if I win the contest? An engraved medal will be awarded. This will be mailed to the winner shortly after the event.

Poet Laureate Contest – 2 minutes

Example: https://youtu.be/nQO6TPXnFno

Poet Laureate Contest FAQs

May I use visual aids of any sort during my Poet Laureate presentation? No.

May I use notes? Yes.

May I present a poem I have already given in the club, or elsewhere? Yes, but it must be the first presentation of this particular poem for a Poet Laureate contest at SLAM.

May I recite more than one poem during my presentation? No.

What do I receive if I win the contest?: An engraved medal will be awarded. This will be mailed to the winner shortly after the event.