Rotary Ainger Award

 

Ern Ainger was an respected past president of the Rotary Club of Richmond who valued in himself and others the art of effective communication. This public speaking contest is named in his honour and is about the ability of the speaker to “communicate” with an audience in the most convincing and engaging way possible. It is based upon the statement by the ancient Roman orator Cicero “that often an argument of great merit is lost to an argument of lesser merit which is better presented”.

The speaker’s aim is to appeal to a wide audience and not just an adjudicator. It is not a competition to see how many points you can score or how much information you can include in the time allotted, and nor should it be delivered as a “lecture”. In this competition, the subject matter and the scope of an argument is relatively unimportant; rather, the manner of delivery and the effect on the audience are the major considerations. The delivery should be as natural as possible, the competitor speaking “with” the audience rather than “at” them.

Speakers must choose their own topic which should be based on fact.  It should be presented in a manner that will cause an audience to take a greater interest in a topic which may not appeal to them.  In addition to the content, the speaker should use analogies, anecdotes and the music of the language to illustrate and enhance the delivery.  The presentation should inform, interest and entertain.

Adjudicators will use a marking system involving each of the following:

  • Tone & Tune
  • Pace & Pausation
  • Volume
  • Articulation & Pronunciation
  • Word Emphasis & Phrasing
  • Fluency
  • Grammar
  • Imagery
  • Enthusiasm & Involvement
  • Gestures, Stance & Posture
  • Eye Contact & Facial Expression
  • Card Use & Microphone Use

Remember that your prime purpose is to make an objective assessment of the art of convincing the audience to listen, understand and remember.

All speeches have a time limit of 4 minutes.

More information can be found on the Rotary Club of Richmond’s website: http://www.rotaryrichmond.org.au/aingeraward.php

What is needed to succeed:

  1. Content is largely irrelevant. This competition is entirely about engagement. No marks are given to the content of your speech, wither you have convinced the audience of your argument, and so on. It is all about delivery.
  2. You want to talk about something that allows for variation in delivery: a mix of humour and seriousness can be good because it always for a very dynamic range.
  3. It is good to include humour. Speeches don’t have to be humorous, but it helps. Humorous or nonsensical topics are entirely acceptable.
  4. Speeches don’t need a message, but this can still help.
  5. Paint word pictures! Having those little descriptions are essential – reason and logic will lose to an evocative or emotive description, because the latter provokes a much more visceral audience reaction.
  6.  ‘Light and shade’ is the buzzword for this one: some bits need to be louder and other softer; some bits need to be faster and others slower; some bits need to be serious or stoic and others light and airy in tone.
  7. Pauses – deliberate, emphatic and considered – are a necessity.
  8. Sound effects – if used sparingly and well – can be very good.
  9. Hand gestures are great but must be used deliberately and controlled. They shouldn’t be constant and thought should go into their usage.
  10. Cue cards are allowed but reading speeches is discouraged in the strongest possible terms.
  11. Speeches should not be read or recited. Improvisation, reaction to your audience and adaptation are rewarded.
  12. A conversational approach and tone can work very well, but again is not essential.
  13. Annunciation and clear delivery is essential. Some judges will be voice/speech coaches and will look for clarity.
  14. Do not speak too fast: 80 to 120 words a minute is what you should be aiming at.

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Does the fact that your content doesn’t count towards your mark mean that you can ignore the content of your speech? No!

  1. Your content must allow you to demonstrate a variety of delivery elements.
  2. Variation is good – a humorous speech should still have moments where you can go quieter; a serious speech should still have lighter moments or humour.
  3. The language you use in descriptions and crafting ‘mind pictures’ for your audience will be rewarded.
  4. Techniques such as repetition, if used deliberately and to effect, are rewarded.