This competition concentrates on the effective delivery of the spoken word, with a lesser concentration on the argument presented, or matter. "It is important to remember that effective public speaking is not just making yourself heard but making people listen."

The audience responds to effective delivery when they feel personally addressed and involved by speakers who convey enthusiasm for their topic, conviction that it is important and interesting, and whose delivery results in attracting undivided attention. Maintaining eye-contact and using the full range of suitable gestures and voice to match the words and the message are essential ingredients. Above all they must be themselves rather than perform as actors. The aim is not to amass debating points nor to maximise the amount of material that can be covered in four minutes. Rather it is convincing an audience to listen, understand and remember the message.