Group 3 (11 to 13 yrs)

I CONTENTS

(Answers to the following questions are expected in your speech. Please be brief and to the point. Contents are worth 60 points: 20 points for each question):

1. When you are questioned as to why Sikhs keep their hair long and wear turbans, what do you say?

2. The author, Dr.Sarup Singh Alag, talks about how the turban can change someone’s inward personality. Do you agree? Why or why not?

3. The main focus of the book ‘Turban’ is on men and boys keeping their identity. What role do turbans play for Sikh women? After reading this book, has your opinion changed on this topic?

1. II Presentation (40 points):

• Included in this area are items like style, delivery, poise, eye contact, voice, diction, language and effectiveness.

• Time allotted to finish the speech for this group is 6 minutes. There is no penalty for finishing the speech either earlier than 6 minutes or during the grace period of the next 30 seconds.

• After the grace period, i.e., after 6 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed, one point would be deducted for every extra 10 seconds or part of 10 seconds, from every judge’s score for the participant.

III Punjabi Presentation and Maintenance of Sikhi Saroop:

• Use of Punjabi and maintenance of Sikhi Saroop needs to be encouraged. Participants who use Punjabi and/or maintain Sikhi Saroop will be judged according to the above format.

• However, it is suggested that such participants be rewarded suitably.

IV Suggestions on preparing youth for the Sikh Youth Symposium:

• Given that the primary purpose of the Sikh Youth Symposium is for our children to focus on their learning, we would like to clarify the appropriate levels of support children should receive as they prepare fortheir speeches. It is our recommendation that it is in the best interest of the children to write their own speeches, with minimal support from parents or other adults.

• Parents/Mentors may sit with children to read and discuss the book and questions; however the children should write their own answers. Parents/Mentors may verbally support the children develop thoughts, suggest the ways and means to use better language without providing exact language to use in the speech.

• If your child’s speech is prepared in Punjabi, it must still follow the guidelines above. If it is prepared in English, it can be translated into Punjabi after it is created per the above guidelines. However, once the speech is in Punjabi, your child should understand the speech in its entirety.

• Although these are only suggestions, in order to make this experience most meaningful and equitable for all children, it is recommended that we adhere to these suggestions as closely as possible.