when do you...

[MackAttack]

In rounds (prelim and final), when do you like do speak? First? Last? In the middle? I personally like going first, second, or third, especially second. Especially if I'm better than the first person because there are only two pieces to compare it to so far and it makes you look better for the rest of the round.

Or, do you think it really matters when you go?

[Solid Bob]

i think it matters if u are dealing with parent judges and such. But experienced judges usually dont let that affect them. But i personally like 1st (to set the bar) or last (fresh in memory). Middle kinda does suck cause if the room is all about the same u kinda get lost in, of coarse, the middle.

[insightful]

i like going third..
because then i get to see basically what my competition is and what to do and what not to do as far as the judges reaction... if that makes since...
i hate going first especially in prelims

[oHIo]

I like either second or second last.

I dunno, I think the first option lets you set the bar for the rest of the room while looking good compared to the first performer and the second option lets you stay fresh in the judge's mind without being lost in the crowd.

It doesn't really matter that much though.

[Interpret]

Fourth.
Because "four" rhymes with "winning the round."
I just think going first gives you a disadvantage because you get lost in the judges minds'. It happened to me, when I thought I was easily 1st or 2nd in my last semi round- and went 2,6,4.

[dude417]

"four" does not rythme with "winning the round" it sounds cool like "for winning the round" or "winning the round for . . ." but it doesn't rythme.

[torn]

I like either second or second last.

I dunno, I think the first option lets you set the bar for the rest of the room while looking good compared to the first performer and the second option lets you stay fresh in the judge's mind without being lost in the crowd.

It doesn't really matter that much though.

yea I agree with 2nd or 5th (or whatever 2nd to last is in the round)

2nd is still a position where you set the bar, and hopefully you're better than the first person anyway, so its an optimal seat.

5th simply because you'll stay fresh in their minds. And if you go last (especially in a DI or Dramatic Duo room), your judge might be asleep by that time anyway.

[zshakirdcf]

i like speaking last in a round

[oHIo]

"four" does not rythme with "winning the round" it sounds cool like "for winning the round" or "winning the round for . . ." but it doesn't rythme.

Dude.

He was making a joke.

[dude417]

If I am nervous or somthing I like to go frist but otherwise I like to go last. If its oratry I like to go in the begining because I get bored otherwise and am not engerised when I go last. However I am a firm beliver that going near the end keeps you fresh in the judges mind.

[GFan]

For finals:

I used to think that going last would be best, but I'd say strictly for interp, last is best.

Actually, for oratory, I actually think going near the beginning is helpful. With oratory, since the judges will lose attention with time, by the end of the round or whatever, the judges won't be as alert and pay attention to your words and emphasis as much. That's what I think anyway.

Extemp, I'd say going last, or second-to-last is best.

For prelims, I don't think it matters. Last is probably best though.

[dude417]

Yeah I guess I din't think about that. I love oratory but somtimes it can be boring and i suspect that the judges may have somewhat similar feelings near the end of the round.

[dude417]

Yeah I guess I din't think about that. I love oratory but somtimes it can be boring and i suspect that the judges may have somewhat similar feelings near the end of the round.

[Josiahzacks]

When I judge, I keep a chart of relative goodness.

It might look something like this:

1
1 2
2 3 1
2 3 1 4
3 4 2 5 1
4 5 2 6 1 3

The person who speaks first is 1, because they're the only one to speak so far, and hold 1 until dethroned by someone else. As the round progresses, you go with your gut of where to put someone in the pecking order, and adjust the ranks as necessary. This rank is usually the last thing I write down after filling out most of the ballot and before inviting the next competitor up to speak. VERY rarely do I deviate from my ranking chart. Substitutions are generally only made in the case of problematic ties or a gross violation of time or in round behavior.

I know A LOT of judges who use this formula, both mommy and daddy judges and experienced competitors and coaches. It just makes things a little easier to keep track of.

I don't know if that informs this discussion or not, but it seemed pertinent.

As for myself, when performing I prefer to speak at different times based on the piece I am running and the competition in the room. I always like to go after my stiffest competition-- if possible right after them. Better to be in a position to upstage than a position to be upstaged. Speaking last to "be remembered" or first to "set the bar" only holds any weight if you're good. Speaking in a certain position doesn't really mean anything if you don't bring it.

The really good competitors-- in interp and in LP and PA events-- immediately seize control of the room the second they enter it. When you're doing that, it doesn't really matter when you speak.

[rezeewnaf]

For humorous events, I prefer to go 3rd or 4th in final rounds. That's when the audience tends to peak in amount of laughs, in my opinion.

[RiseAboveReality]

In prelim rounds, I've seemed to have a great deal of success going first in a round. If I'm double-entered and the tournament isn't flighted, I wind up going first in HI. It just gives you an opportunity to set the bar. Otherwise, last in the round is good so you're fresh in the judges' mind.

[worsethansex]

The way impromptu works around here, everyone speaks on the same topic and you aren't allowed to watch people who perform before you so as not to steal their ideas- pretty standard, but some places do it differently. In prelims I usually prefer to go last, because it gives me an opportunity to generally hang out with other competitors in the halls and develop loads of connections rather than watch 5-7 boring speeches on the same topic. In finals, I don't care as much, because judges are less likely to judge people based on their memory. I still prefer to be later rather than earlier because if I watch too many performances of impromptu I start to get all self-conscious and self-critical, trying to compare myself to everyone in the room.

[Steve Perry]

I tend to do well going first or second in a round. Going last isn't my favorite, seeing as my energy is way down from sitting around for an hour listening to Oratories.

If it's the first round of the tournament, 3rd or 4th is the way to go. It gives me time to put myself in the right public speaking mood, as opposed to just jumping into action.

[twistedhate17]

Well in StuCon I like to speak 2nd or 3rd on either the Aff or Neg, depending on what I feel like giving a speech on. I normally have speeches for both sides but I like to hear other arguments that way I can refute what the other people say. Wow...that sorta sounded like PoFo....

[x_kayla]

In Oratory, I like to go first. I have more confidence when I perform first, and I also am able to really listen and enjoy the other pieces in the room.

In Humorous Interp and Humorous Duet Acting, I like to perform towards the end, when the room is warm. I hate going first, because the room is usually not laugh-ready, and I like feeding on audience response.

[Amber_rebmA]

last last last last.

I LOVE going last because I can kind of leave my mark. Also, usually, like everyone else has said the room is less tense and more willing to laugh (i do all funny events haha)
Its nice also to be able to sit in a round and get in the zone before you perform. When I go first I feel like I'm being rushed. Like I go into the room. Sit down, get settled, and then go. I hate that.

And you have to remember the old saying "Save the best for last"
...and who doesn't want to be the best? :wink:

[cseg]

second to last it gives me time to relax and settled

[Anne]

Second. Let someone break the ice, perform, and then just chill and watch everyone else.