How to make the magic happen…

Oratory Basics  What happen to be a good O.O. in the ears, eyes and minds of judges? There are some general guidelines you must follow.

One:  In short, oratory speech topics are mostly factual, policy based, and conviction reinforcing.

Two: The public speaker motivates and inspires the audience to take a stand on current problems in the world.

Three: At most competitions original oratory speech ideas are delivered without note or index cards, and without using visual aids or whatsoever.

Four  Often there is a maximum limit of 150 quoted words. An original oratory is between 8 and 10 minutes in length.

How to pick a topic.  Be creative!  What are you telling us we haven’t heard before?  Make us think, so you will engage your audience.

Has this Topic been done?  Most likely yes, in some form or fashion.  What new direction or angle do you take?  Why is it significant?  Again, push audience to re- examine an old topic.

Make it Personal…  Be connected!  Have some sort of investment in the topic that you choose.  Have a purpose in terms of what you want your audience to take from your speech.  Show or link the relevancy of why we should know or care?

Bonus Round  Integration of voices or characters  Humor  Literary References  Witty Topic Titles  Puns used to introduce areas of analysis  Singing (used sparingly)  Warm fuzzy factor

Don’ts of Oratory  Be insincere, you must own your speech in delivery.  Make forensic references  Make hasty generalizations about your audience and/or what they know  Preach…it is usually to the choir  Lose the passion for your topic!

Here are some examples:  Emory Finals 2011 Emory Finals 2011