Speak Off!

Show off your skills to win a scholarship!

Verbal communication skills rank high on every employer survey of desired candidate traits, and that's one reason the Communication Department at UT Tyler is holding its first Speak Off competition.

Undergraduate students of any major may enter, as long as they register by October 2.
The speeches will be given the evening of October 22, 2025 in the College of Arts and Sciences building, CAS 158. 

Register Now!

Topic:  "The biggest surprise"

First place = $400     Second place = $250     Third place = $150

The department thanks Don and Nora Donnelly, friends of the program, for providing the scholarships!

Rules:

1. No props, nor technology.
2. No profanity, nor obscenity. Think PG rating.
3. Contestants may use notes.
4. The time limit is strict: 5-6 minutes. Any students 30 seconds under or 30 seconds over will be disqualified.
5. Each round will have three judges and a timekeeper. Timing cards will be provided.
6. All content must be original. Students will confirm they have not used AI nor plagiarized.
7. Speeches will be judged on storytelling and delivery skills such as gestures, vocal variety, movement, eye contact, facial expressions, etc.
8. Any major is welcome to participate, but the student must be an undergraduate who's returning to UT Tyler for the Spring semester.
9. Communication department faculty will recuse themselves as judges in rounds with current or former students competing.