Check out the condensed version of this interview on our website extempers.org!
Interview Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to Mo Marks.
0:35 - How did you got started in extemp?
1:20 - What specific qualities drove you to extemp?
3:11 - What was that aha! moment where everything clicked and you realized that you could be successful in this activity?
5:03 - Who were your extemp role models & whose speaking styles did you most appreciate?
7:10 - Mo’s harrowing source check story with Olivia Shoemaker.
8:40 - What was it like going to Roosevelt in the wake of Jacob Thompson, Lily Nellans, and Nathan Leys?
10:10 - Are there any particularly good or bad questions you remember drawing throughout your extemp career?
13:13 - Do you have any books or pieces of theory that you really enjoy using in extemp speeches?
17:27 - How do you answer really broad questions in extemp?
18:57 - What has been the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received in your extemp career?
23:17 - What are you favorite sources to read in extemp?
25:15 - What are some structural changes / rule changes you’d like to see in extemp?
28:28 - Why Mo doesn’t like autofilers.
29:14 - How did you win the most prestigious extemp round robin in the nation (MBA)?
35:28 - MBA is known for its very creative questions. Are there any really memorable questions that stand out from the round robin?
40:15 - One of the experimental rounds you discussed allowed extempers to write their own questions. What was the weirdest question you remember someone writing?
41:41 - How do answer really specific questions while still having relevant & up-to-date sources?
44:20 - You’re someone who comes from a smaller school. Do you have any pieces of advice for other extempers who come from smaller schools?
48:16 - What has been your proudest extemp achievement?
50:45 - If you didn’t extemp, what event would you do?
54:07 - Mo’s funny story on how she unintentionally got into informative speaking & wrote her info days before the tournament.
59:26 - What are you future plans now that you’ve graduated high school?
