The David Jones Persuasive Speech Contest is open to any student who is currently enrolled in, or has completed any speech course offered at Parkland College. To participate in the Speech Contest, please fill out this PDF application form and submit it to the Fine & Applied Arts department office by 5:00p.m. Monday April 23, 2012.

1. To participate, contestants must fill out and submit an application (download PDF) to the FAA department office by 5:00p.m. Monday April 23, 2012.
   
   

2. After you have submitted an application, you will be contacted via student e-mail to confirm your participation.
   
   

3. The persuasive speech must be a 5-8 minute original (written by you) speech. The theme of the contest is Speaking for Charity. Each contestant will choose a charitable organization from those listed on this web site. If you would like to speak about a charity not listed on the Web site, you will need to get approval from the speech contest committee. Contact Julie Weishar at jweishar@parkland.edu
   
   

4. Contestants will be required to submit a copy of their outline and sources on the day of the contest.
   
   

5. Contestants may not use any visual aids or objects during the speech.
   
   

6. Contestants may be performing their persuasive speech more than one time during the contest. Depending on the number of contestants, there may be both a preliminary round of speeches (performed in a small group with two judges) and a final round of speeches. Those who are ranked and rated at the top  in their preliminary rounds will then advance to the final round of competition where they will perform the same speech again in front of an audience and a five-judge panel. It is anticipated that the final round of speeches will begin at about 4:30p.m., followed by the awards presentation with the program concluding by approximately 6:00p.m.
   
   

7. Contestants are encouraged to bring family and friends with them to watch the contest and lend support.
   
   

8. The final round of competition will be videotaped. The signed application form gives Parkland College permission to use all videotaped performances and written outlines for educational, promotional and broadcast  purposes.
   
   

9. Cash prizes will be awarded to the finalists. 1st place $500.00, + $500.00 to winning charity, 2nd place $250.00, 3rd place $100.00 and $50.00 to each additional finalist.
   
   

10. To give you an idea of the criteria you will be judged on, here is a sample that judges will use in the contest. Sample Critique Form