While answering the question should be a speaker’s primary goal when giving an extemp speech, setting up that question effectively is arguably just as important. Too often, extempers overlook the background despite it being one of the first things judges hear and one of the easiest places to lose time. The problem? Most extempers misunderstand what the background is actually supposed to do.
The background should set up your argument; however, it shouldn’t serve as analysis, persuasion, or attempt to prove your answer. At minimum, an effective background should include the core situation, the key actors involved (only the relevant ones), and then the immediate development that makes the question relevant today. It’s crucial to include a sufficient amount of context so the judge understands the context of the question because if a judge doesn’t understand the premise of the question, it’s difficult to evaluate the analysis of it.
At the same time it’s important to note that if something does not help the judge understand the question you are answering, it does not belong in your background. Most background sections don’t need specific information, but when they do, it’s important to ensure it serves a purpose. Typically, extempers should include statistics if they effectively establish scale, show urgency, or clarify comparison. For example, saying “inflation is rising” is often enough. But if the question involves economic stability, adding a single statistic like “inflation remains above 5 percent” can sharpen urgency.
One of the most impactful parts of the background is often the most ignored: recency. A Background should always answer the question: why are we talking about this right now? That means you must include what recently changed. This could be a new policy decision, a recent conflict escalation, a shift in leadership or strategy, or a breaking development that makes the topic timely. Recency is what connects the background to the actual question being asked. Without it, a speech can feel like a general summary of a topic instead of a response to a current issue. Recency can also begin to encourage the judge to care about the topic before the statement of significance is said. To shift from context to recency, it can help to include a phrase that signals this shift into the present, such as: “Recently,” “In the past few months,” or “As of late.”
All in all, an effective background follows one rule: minimum necessary information.
For example, instead of:
A long explanation of NATO expansion, the history of Russia–Ukraine relations, energy dependence in Europe, and post-Cold War security architecture…
You might say:
“Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the war has evolved into a broader geopolitical standoff between Russia and NATO, with Western states providing sustained military and financial support to Ukraine. In recent months, this has escalated into increased Russian cyberattacks and sharper nuclear and rhetorical threats directed at NATO countries. As a result, many countries are raising concerns about broader regional instability.”
So next time you prep a speech, challenge yourself to focus on the background more than you would typically. Because in extemp, the background allows the judge to understand the argument that comes after it.