Original Oratory Overview

In the Original Oratory category, participants write their own speech to be memorized and then performed. Participants will be assessed based on the content and delivery of the speech. Topics range widely; however, participants should be interested in their topic and stay on topic in their speech. Topics should be school and age-appropriate and be at least two and a half minutes and no more than seven minutes in length. School appropriate means that a child should deliver a respectful and engaging speech about a topic of their choice. Participants are expected to write content that is age-appropriate.  

The speeches may be informative or persuasive and have humorous or serious aspects or a combination of both.

Guidelines

Content: The speech must be the student’s original work. A copy of the speech should be available for the judges, if requested. 

Topic: Choose a topic that is age-appropriate and engaging. Examples include personal experiences, school-appropriate social issues, or inspirational ideas. (See resources for topic suggestions and template.) 

Structure: Participants may be creative with their speech, but it is important to include an introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Quotations: The speech must be the student’s original work. Quotations, if used, must be cited and limited to 10 percent of the speech. If a speech is 500 words, the quote should be 50 words. A copy of the speech should be available for the judges, if requested. 

Delivery: Focus on vocal variety, eye contact, and gestures to enhance the message.

Grade School Division Notes: Speeches should be simple and relatable, avoiding overly complex issues.

High School Division Notes: Speeches should demonstrate depth of thought and polished delivery.

Time Management: Stay within time limits, including the introduction.

Judging Criteria:

• Verbal: volume, rate, clarity, tone 

• Non-verbal: gestures, eye contact, movement, expressions 

• Content: creativity, originality of purpose, effective use of rhetorical devices (e.g., anecdotes, metaphors), confidence, and audience engagement. 

Please see resources and the handbook for further recommendations and rules on OO topics and format for this category.

Dramatic Interpretation Overview 

In the Dramatic Interpretation category, participants may choose to enter in one of three different sub-categories: serious, humorous, and duet. In all three sub-categories, participants memorize a published work such as a play, monologue, short story, book excerpt, newspaper, or poem to perform. In solo performances, whether serious or humorous, there is one participant. In duets, there are two participants working together.  Duets are assessed as one and so the performance of one partner is not separate from the other. Participants will be assessed based on their character development and believability not the content of the speech. The goal of DI is for the speaker to morph into their character. All DI speeches must be at least two and a half minutes and no more than seven minutes in length. 

Guidelines for Serious, Humorous, or Duet Speeches

Material: Selections must come from published works (no original scripts). Edits are acceptable as long as the author’s intent is not changed. A physical or digital copy of the source must be available for judges if requested.

Performance: Participants act as one or more characters, using vocal changes, facial expressions, and minimal movement to convey the story. No props or costumes are allowed.

Introductions: Participants may begin with a brief (15 second) introduction stating your name, the author, and title of the piece. This is permitted but not required.  “Hi, my name is ___ and I will be performing the speech titled ___ by ____” 

Grade School Division Notes: Choose pieces with clear narratives and relatable characters. Avoid mature themes. 

High School Division Notes: Select pieces with emotional depth or complex characters to showcase acting range.

Time Management: Stay within time limits, including the introduction.

Judging Criteria:

• Verbal: volume, rate, clarity, tone 

• Non-verbal: gestures, eye contact, movement, expressions 

• Character: character believability, differentiation, and ability to convey the story’s mood and message.