The contest consists of competitions in two categories. In the prepared speech category, contestants prepare a speech of less than 7 minutes beforehand on one of the assigned topics and deliver the speech to the panel of judges. In the unprepared speech category, contestants deliver an impromptu speech of less than 2 minutes on a topic assigned on the spot to the panel of judges.

Preliminary Contest

A preliminary contest is usually held several days before the final contest. Six contestants are selected for the prepared speech category and 8 contestants are selected for the unprepared speech category.

Final contest

The final contest is held on a Saturday and lasts for approximately two hours.  A champion, a first runner-up and a second runner-up are selected for each category of prepared and unprepared speech.

These winners may be invited to represent HKUST in various public speech contests held in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Contest rules

Preliminary prepared speech contest

The contestant will deliver a 5-7 minute speech on one of the two assigned topics during the assigned timeslot in the venue where a helper and two judges will be present. The helper first calls the contestant’s name, reads the topic, reads the topic again, and calls the contestant's name for a second time.

Timing will begin with the contestant’s first definite verbal or non-verbal signal with the judges. The helper will hold up a green card at 5 minutes for 1 minute, then an amber card at 6 minutes for 1 minute, followed by a red card at 7 minutes for 30 seconds. The helper will ring a bell at 7 minutes 30 seconds. Contestants need to end their speech immediately. Speeches that are shorter than 4 minutes 30 seconds or longer than 7 minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.

Preliminary unprepared speech contest

The contestant will deliver a 2-minute speech on a topic given on the spot during the assigned timeslot in the venue where a helper and two judges will be present. The helper first calls the contestant's name, reads the topic, reads the topic again, and calls the contestant's name for a second time.

Timing will begin with the contestant's first definite verbal or non-verbal signal with the judges. The helper will hold up a green card at 1 minute for 30 seconds, then an amber card at 1 minute 30 seconds for 30 seconds, followed by a red card at 2 minutes for 30 seconds. The helper will ring a bell at 2 minutes 30 seconds. Contestants need to end their speech immediately. Speeches that are shorter than 1 minute or longer than 2 minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.

All contestants that have finished their speeches will be escorted to an empty room to wait until all contestants finish their speeches.

Final prepared speech contest

A.  Speech subject and preparation

Contestants should deliver a 5-7 minute speech on one of the two assigned topics. Contestants must prepare their own speeches, which must be substantially original.  Any quoted material should be so identified during the speech presentation.

B.   General procedure

1. Prior to the contest, contestants will be briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. They will then draw lots to determine the sequence of their speaking with the chairman.
2. Each contestant will be introduced by his/her name and speech title and then the speech title and his/her name.
3. There will be 1 minute of silence between each contestant, during which the judges will mark their ballots.
4. Contestants may remain in the venue throughout the duration of the contest.
5. Announcement of contest winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly, in which case the chief judge may immediately interrupt to correct the error.

C.  Timing of the speeches

1. Speeches will be 5-7 minutes. A contestant will be disqualified from the contest if the speech is less than 4 minutes 30 seconds or more than 7 minutes 30 seconds.
2. When introduced, the contestant shall proceed immediately to the speaking position. Timing will begin with the contestant's first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience. This will include the first word uttered by the contestant or any communication such as sound effects, a staged act by another person, etc.
3. Timekeepers shall provide warning signals to the contestants, which shall be clearly visible to the contestants but not obvious to the audience.
1. A green signal will be displayed at 5 minutes and remain displayed for 1 minute.
2. An amber signal will be displayed at 6 minutes and remain displayed for 1 minute.
3. A red signal will be displayed at 7 minutes and remain displayed until the conclusion of the speech.
4. A bell will ring at 7 minutes 30 seconds. Contestants need to end their speech immediately.
5. If technical failure of a signal occurs, a contestant is allowed 30 seconds extra time before being disqualified.
4. Prior to announcing results, the chairman should announce if time disqualification(s) occurred, but not the name of the contestant(s) involved.

D.  Protests and disqualifications

1. Protests can only be lodged by the judges and contestants. Any such protests will be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winners. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding originality or eligibility prior to that announcement.
2. All decisions of the judges are final.

Final unprepared speech contest

A.   General procedure

1. Prior to the contest, contestants will be briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. They will then draw lots to determine the sequence of their speaking with the chairman.
2. Each contestant will be introduced by his/her name twice.
3. When the contest begins, all contestants except the first should leave the room. The topic is then presented and read to the first contestant, who shall then speak on the topic.
4. There will be 1 minute of silence between each contestant, during which the judges will mark their ballots.
5. Announcement of contest winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly, in which case the chief judge timekeepers may immediately interrupt to correct the error.

B.   Timing of the speeches

1. Speeches shall be 2 minutes long. Contestants who speak less than 1 minute or more than 2 minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.
2. When introduced, the contestant shall proceed immediately to the speaking position. Timing will begin with the contestant's first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience. This will include the first word uttered by the contestant or any communication such as sound effects, a staged act by another person, etc.
3. Timekeepers shall provide warning signals to the contestants, which shall be clearly visible to the contestants but not obvious to the audience.
1. A green signal will be displayed at 1 minute and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
2. An amber signal will be displayed at 1 minute 30 seconds and remain displayed for 30 seconds.
3. A red signal will be displayed at 2 minutes and remain displayed until the conclusion of the speech.
4. A bell will ring at 2 minutes 30 seconds. Contestants need to end their speech immediately.
5. If technical failure of a signal occurs, a contestant is allowed 30 seconds extra time before being disqualified.
4. Prior to announcing results, the chairman should announce if time disqualification(s) occurred, but not the name of the contestant(s) involved.
   

C.  Protests and disqualifications

1. Protests can only be lodged by the judges and contestants. Any such protests will be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winners. The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding originality or eligibility prior to that announcement.
2. All decisions of the judges are final.

Prepared speech contest

Date	Topic
2012 February 25	"Accountability in public life" "The rich that are poor versus the poor that are rich"
2010 September 25	"The road less travelled" "Reform: For better or worse?"
2009 September 26	"The leader as a servant" "A convenient life versus an inconvenient truth"
2008 October 18	"You reap what you sow" "Protectionism versus parochialism"
2008 March 15	"What empowers the youth of today?" "The sky is the limit"
2007 March 3	"Is Hong Kong really a world city?" "The future of Hong Kong's health care system"
2006 March 4	"Environmental protection: A license to kill development" "Understanding different cultures" "Our future: Dreams vs. reality"

Unprepared speech contest

Date	Topic
2010 September 25	"Full Circle"
2009 September 26	"Flat"
2008 October 18	"Flow"
2008 March 15	"Behind closed doors"
2007 March 3	"Light"
2006 March 4	"The Four Seasons"