ORIGINAL ORATORY (OO)
Time limit: 10 Minutes. Competitors in Original Oratory deliver a self-written speech on a topic of their choice. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, but the intent of the speech can be to inform or persuade on a topic of some significance. Oratory gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic.
An oration is not simply an essay about the topic—it is a well researched and organized presentation with evidence, logic, emotional appeals, and sometimes humor to convey a message. Topics may be of a value orientation and affect people at a personal level, such as avoiding peer pressure, or they can be more of a policy orientation and ask an audience to enact particular policies or solve societal problems. Although many original orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution, judges are reminded that this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. The oration may simply alert the audience to an environmental threat, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person. The orator should be given free choice of subject and judged solely on the effectiveness of its development and presentation. Orators should not be expected to solve any of the great problems of the day. They should instead be expected to speak intelligently, with a degree of originality, and in an interesting manner. Any appropriate subject may be used, but the orator must be truthful. Any nonfactual reference, including personal references, must be so identified.
The oration is considered carefully for its rhetoric and diction. The use of appropriate figures of speech, similes and metaphors, balanced sentences, allusions, and other rhetorical devices to make the oration more effective is judged favorably. Judges consider thought, composition, and delivery. The use of English language should be more than merely correct; it should reveal a discriminating choice of words and altogether fine literary qualities. It should be especially adapted to oral presentation.
With this said, because Original Oratory is a contest in speech rather than in essay writing, the emphasis should be placed on the presentation of the ideas. Thought and composition should be considered primarily in the way they are employed to make effective speaking possible. No particular style of delivery is to be considered as the correct style to which all contestants must conform; rather, each contestant is evaluated on the effectiveness of delivery, free to choose or develop whatever style will be most effective with a particular oration. Delivery is judged for mastery of the usual mechanics of speech–poise, quality and use of voice, bodily expressiveness, and for the qualities of directness and sincerity which impress the oration upon the minds of the audience. No visual aids are permitted.
Original Oratory Ballot
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