Author: Ananth Veluvali

Introduction The attention-getting device, better known by its moniker the AGD, is one of the most important parts of an extemp speech. Despite this, most extempers recycle the same 2-3 AGDs for an entire tournament, often resulting in strenuous ties between their opener and the topic. Fortunately, it requires little effort to produce stronger attention […]

The following is a new series by the Extemper’s Bible where we’ll take a deep dive into relevant domestic and global subjects. For our very first article, we’ll examine the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. As the second largest country in Africa, if this conflict goes unresolved, the violence in Ethiopia risks […]

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to interview Gary Arndt, a nationally-acclaimed former extemp coach. While coaching several state champions and national finalists is certainly an accomplishment in itself, it’s Gary’s other exploits that make him a truly interesting interviewee. From traveling to over 130 countries to running his own successful podcast (Everything Everywhere), […]

With most tournaments through February already online, it’s clear this extemp season will be different than the past. Accordingly, your speaking strategy might have to change. Below are a list of different tips & tricks for navigating online tournaments to maximize your speaking appeal.