Speech Contest Call for Entries

To enter the contest, students should adhere closely to the following guidelines:

1. All contestants must be Dartmouth undergraduate students.
2. The first round will be based on a written manuscript or detailed outline of a speech designed to persuade the listeners on any topic.
3. The manuscript or outline must be accompanied by a works cited/reference page, following MLA or APA format.
4. All sources must also be orally cited in the speech.
5. When delivered, the speech should be no more than 5 minutes.
6. Speeches must be original works by the student.
7. Electronic visual aids (e.g., slides) are not allowed.
8. All rounds of the contest will be held in person and on campus. Remote participation is not possible. If conditions do not allow for an in-person contest, we will regretfully cancel the contest for 2025.

Entry Deadline: Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, 5:00pm EST.

Students should email their manuscript and/or detailed outline to the Speech Contest Committee at Speech@dartmouth.edu by 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 1st. Please use "SPEECH CONTEST ENTRY" as your subject line. 

Please note your name and class year in your email entry.

 Students selected for this preliminary round will be contacted by Friday, April 4th and will present their speeches on campus before a panel of judges on Monday, April 7th between 4-5:15pm. Remote participation is not possible.

From this preliminary round, some students will be selected to compete in the Benjamin F. Barge, Class of 1866, and Speech at Dartmouth Prize for Oratory contests on Tuesday, May 20th, 4:30 - 6:45 pm, along with students who have been competitively selected from Speech courses. The contest will be held in person and on campus; remote participation is not possible. This event will be open to the public. In the event conditions do not allow for an in-person event, we will regretfully cancel the contest for 2025.