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Brian Anderson competed for LaRue County High School in Kentucky. He was a three-time Kentucky state champion, the 2014 Barkley Forum extemporaneous speaking champion, the winner of the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions (TOC), the 2015 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) International Extemp National Champion, and the 2014-2015 Extemp Central National Points Race winner. Brian will be attending Western Kentucky University in the fall, where he will compete for the school’s national winning forensic program.
Brian agreed to sit down with Extemp Central to discuss his career and thoughts on the activity.
Brian, thanks for agreeing to talk with us Brian about your senior year.
My pleasure.
Explain to us how you first got involved with extemporaneous speaking.
My coach thought that Extemp would be a good fit, so I tried it out at my first tournament and fell in love. I don’t remember what my first speech was on, but it couldn’t have been more than three minutes and it probably didn’t have a single source. But, it was definitely better than my performances out on the field.
What attribute(s) do you think contributed the most to your success?
I think my conversational style was my greatest asset. I tried every round to engage the audience and to make sure they knew I was invested in my speeches.
One of the interesting things about your career is that you are probably the only person to win an Interp event at the Barkley Forum while reaching the final round of extemporaneous speaking. Do you think your interp experience helped you, especially in the NSDA final round?
Poetry taught me to interact with my audience; I could not have done as well in that final round without my experience in black book events. I think every student should try out as many different events as possible.
When you visualized how you wanted the 2014-2015 season to go what major goals did you set for yourself? How would you rate your progress toward those goals?
My goal was to never stop improving and I think I accomplished that. I always wanted to win but I’m most proud of the fact that I got better every tournament.
Kentucky has had several good extempers in the last decade, with several managing to win NSDA final rounds before your NSDA triumph. Tell our readers about the Kentucky circuit and why you think the state has had some significant triumphs on the final round stage.
To do well in Kentucky you need to have nearly flawless delivery. Judges aren’t always up to date on current events so Kentucky extempers have to make erudite topics easy to understand and fun to listen to. I think the final stage is about having a good time and rolling with the audience, and the Kentucky circuit prepares you for that. And, we have southern accents.
You were pre-qualified to compete in U.S. Extemp at this year’s NSDA by virtue of reaching semi-finals your junior year. What made you decide to switch to IX?
After my junior year I grew more interested in foreign topics. I went in IX because I wanted to try it out before I graduated and because I thought it would be more fun.
What steps did you take to prepare for this year’s NSDA National Tournament? Did this gameplan change in any way as the tournament progressed?
I tried to give a speech everyday during the two weeks before the tournament. I watched The Daily Show with John Stewart and listened to podcasts like the World Next Week, The Diplomat, and The Economist. Additionally, I spent an hour or so everyday researching topic areas. During the tournament I made sure to have a good time. It is a grueling tournament and my teammates really helped make it great.
Walk us through that final round speech in terms of when you drew the question, prepped, spoke, and then the aftermath. How did you handle your nerves and did you think you had a good chance to take the title after the round finished?
I remember being very happy I drew an Iran question. I don’t recall what the other two questions were but neither were things I particularly wanted to talk about. Prepping the speech was a blast because I hadn’t given an Iran speech in such a long time so it felt like a fresh topic. Then I got up there and had the time of my life. When I got off the stage I didn’t know whether or not I would win the tournament, it being cumulative and all, but I remember thinking that I definitely could have won that final round.
Explain what it means to be the fourth winner of the Extemp Central National Points Race.
It makes me all the more thankful I went to a school that affords me the opportunity to travel. A lot of competitors can’t go because they don’t have enough support. I hope my efforts help future LaRue County students do even greater things.
During your career, what was your favorite tournament to attend and why?
George Mason’s Patriot Games. I got to compete in multiple events and against the best of the best in all of them. Additionally, the tournament hotel offers this amazing apple cider that I just cannot get enough of.
To be a successful extemper, do you think it is necessary to attend a lot of national circuit events? Do you think those events helped pave the way for you to win a national championship?
I don’t think you have to compete on the national circuit, if your state circuit is extremely competitive. Minnesota Extempers like the Rambachans and Dylan Slinger were incredible and didn’t have to travel very often. But if your state doesn’t have that luxury then the national circuit provides a much-needed opportunity for great competition.
If you could change anything about extemporaneous speaking, what would it be?
I would like to see Internet access during prep. My experiences at MBA make me think the Internet would be a great way to take Extemp to the next level. Also, I think bringing the Internet into prep would help level the playing field for Extempers who don’t have teammates filing with them. I know it would be difficult to make sure that students weren’t cheating, but I think the Extemp community is trustworthy enough.
What advice would you give to younger extempers that are just starting this event?
Read assiduously and speak passionately. Find a source you like and read everything it puts out. I suggest Brookings. Moreover, I would listen to every podcast the Economist releases. Above all, make it clear that what you’re saying matters.
What are your future academic and career plans?
I’ll attend Western Kentucky University and pursue a double major in Economics and Asian Religion and Culture. I hope to eventually work with the State Department on US-Sino relations.
Thanks again Brian for talking with us and congratulations on winning the 2014-2015 National Points Race.
Thank you!