Participants
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Grades 4-8th (homeschool, traditional school)
High School (homeschool only)
This is an in-person event and the league intends to serve youth in the Greater St. Louis Area.
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These are ideas and you most certainly may choose a topic not listed below. More than one participant may choose the same topic as the speech will be unique to that individual.
The Power of Kindness: How a Small Act of Kindness Changed My Life
My Family Member is A Veteran: What It Means to Me
The Benefits of Reading
Why One Interaction Reveals A lot About a Person
My Favorite Hobby and Why
Why Being Bored Isn’t So Bad
Why I Care About Animal Welfare
What My Family Tradition Has Taught Me
The Best of Day of My Life and Why
Why Volunteering Is Important: A Personal Story
How Faith Helps Us Overcome Fear
The Power of Prayer in Everyday Life
Why Forgiveness Is a Christian Superpower
Why I Don’t Go on Social Media
How to Trust God’s Plan in Uncertain Times
If you have any questions about whether a topic would work for the OO category, please email us.
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Original Oratory Speech Template for Students
Note: 500 words = 3-4 minutes of speaking time
You may be as creative as you would like and this template is merely a generic guideline. Adjust the complexity based on age: simpler language for younger students, deeper analysis for older ones. As an alternative to this outline, you may tell a story about your life, someone else, or an event, and then discuss why this story is important. You may place more weight and time on the story or the “why,” depending on your preference.
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.
Opening (30-60 seconds)
Goal: Grab attention and introduce your topic with a hook (personal story, bold question, or surprising fact, vivid image). State your main message clearly. Quotations should be no more than 10 percent of the speech.
Example for Grade School:
"Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? Last year, I froze during a school play, forgetting every line. But that moment taught me something huge: mistakes make us stronger. Today, I’ll share why embracing failure is the key to success."Example for High School:
"In 2024, 1 in 5 teens reported feeling anxious every day. I was one of them, scrolling through social media, comparing myself to perfect lives. But I learned something: we don’t have to chase perfection. Today, I’ll show you why I choose to not go on social media."
Body Section 1: The Problem or Challenge (1-2 minutes)
Goal: Explain the issue or challenge your speech addresses. Use a story or example to make it real.
What to Include:
Describe the problem
Share a personal anecdote or a relatable scenario.
For high school: Add a statistic or fact to ground it
Grade School Example:
"When I messed up in the play, I wanted to quit. I thought everyone was laughing at me. Lots of kids feel this way—like one mistake ruins everything. We’re scared to try new things because we don’t want to look silly."High School Example:
"Social media makes us feel like we’re never enough. I spent hours trying to get the perfect photo, but it never felt right. A 2023 study said teens spend 3 hours a day on social media, and it’s making us lonelier. We’re stuck chasing likes instead of living."
Body Section 2: The Solution or Lesson (1-2 minutes)
Goal: Share your solution, lesson, or call to action. Explain how it works and why it matters.
What to Include:
Offer a clear solution (e.g., “Embrace mistakes,” “Be kind to yourself”).
Give 1-2 practical steps or examples (e.g., “When you fail, write down one thing you learned”).
For high school: Connect to a broader impact (e.g., “This helps not just us, but our whole community”).
Grade School Example:
"So how do we get over failure? First, tell yourself it’s okay to mess up. I started saying, ‘I’m learning!’ instead of ‘I’m bad at this.’ Second, try again. After the play, I joined the drama club and got better. Now I love performing!"High School Example:
"The answer starts with deleting social media. Instead of scrolling, I read or talk with my friends and family in person. I did this, and I started feeling freer. When we stop comparing and scrolling, we start connecting."
Body Section 3: The Vision or Inspiration (1-2 minutes)
Goal: Paint a picture of what’s possible if the audience follows your advice. Inspire them to act.
What to Include:
Describe a positive outcome or lesson learned
For high school: Tie it to a bigger idea
Grade School Example:
"Imagine if we all stopped being afraid of mistakes. We’d try new sports, sing louder, and help each other. Our school would be a place where everyone feels brave. We can start today by cheering for someone who’s trying."High School Example:
"Picture a world where we’re not chained to screens, but lifted by real friendships. If we choose authenticity over likes, we’ll build a community that’s stronger, kinder, and real. It starts with us, right now."
Conclusion (30-60 seconds)
Goal: Summarize your message and leave the audience inspired or motivated.
What to Include:
Restate your main point in a new way but do not repeat sentences.
End with a call to action or a powerful quote, question, or image.
For high school: Add a touch of universality
Grade School Example:
"Mistakes don’t define us—they help us grow. Let’s be brave, try again, and lift each other up. Next time you mess up, smile and say, ‘I’m learning!’ Who’s with me?"High School Example:
"We don’t need to chase perfection—we need to chase what’s real. Let’s put down our phones, look up, and be ourselves. As Maya Angelou said, ‘You are enough.’ So, let’s start acting like it."
Delivery Tips for Students
Practice: Aim to rehearse at least 25 times to sound natural, not memorized.
Pace: Speak slowly and pause after key points. Aim for 120-150 words per minute.
Gestures: Use natural hand movements to emphasize points
Eye Contact: Look at different parts of the audience to connect.
Emotion: Show passion for your topic—let your voice rise for exciting moments, soften for serious ones.
Length: Aim to be within the time limits. We expect grade school speeches to be shorter (2.5-5 minutes). High school students may aim for 600-900 words (5-7 minutes).
In Summary:
Pick a topic you care about.
Write a rough draft using this template.
Read it aloud to check timing and flow.
Ask a teacher or friend for feedback.
Rewrite your speech until you’re comfortable.
Practice until you’re confident!
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Published works
Participants perform a memorized selection from a published play, novel, poem, short story, magazine article, or newspaper, bringing characters and scenes to life through voice and movement.
It’s possible that two participants pick the same speech and that is acceptable. The creative range of interpretation and choice of expression–both verbal and non-verbal–is unique to each child. Speeches may be edited if necessary, but the author’s intent must remain.
Speeches are available for free and for purchase.
The cost of a speech to purchase is typically not more than $10.
Buying and Using a Speech
If you want to perform a speech from the websites listed, you will need to purchase the speech as we are unable to purchase speeches and list them on the website for use because of copyright laws. However, once you purchase the speech for your child, they have the right to perform it. If you purchase a speech and have any questions about the length, or want to know whether a material may be used for a Sovereign Speech League meet, please email us.
Duet and Solo Speeches are available for purchase on the following websites:
https://www.greenroompress.com/.
https://www.tarameddaugh.com/5-minute-monologues
https://monologues4kids.com/duologues-for-kids/
*Ken Bradbury is a popular author for duets and solos.
The following speeches are available without purchase:
“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein
Huckleberry Finn Monologue by Mark Twain
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Introductions
In the DI category, 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.
“Good morning, my name is ___ and I will be performing the speech titled ___ by ____”
Duets may use the format. “Hi, my name is___ and my name is___ and we will be performing the speech titled ___by ___"
Introductions for OO may include “Good morning, my name is ___ and my speech is titled ___.”
A closing with “thank you” is permitted but not required.
Note about Time
Please note that some speeches, including duets are listed as being 10 minutes in length. These speeches are often shorter than that when acted out. For example, a number of 8-10 minute speeches have been performed within a 6 minute timeframe. You may edit the speech for time, if needed.
Coaching and Participant Guide
Any other questions about the contest information, check the Coaching and Participant Guide and the Handbook or contact us.
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The guide is meant to give tips for participants. Please see the HANDBOOK for competition rules and guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact the league.
The speech must be memorized and be within the time limits.
Costumes and props are not allowed. Please see the handbook.
Whether you are performing Dramatic Interpretation or Original Oratory , be sure to connect with the content of the speech. This will help memorization and engagement.
A physical or digital copy of the speech should be available upon request.
For Original Oratory , write several drafts of the speech before finalizing it. Seek feedback from family, teachers, or friends, but remember that the speech must be in your own words.
For the Dramatic Interpretation duet category, make sure that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to practicing and goals. Duets cannot be performed without a partner, so it is important that you both have time to practice together.
Perform in a variety of settings to practice. Whether in front of a mirror, in front of family or friends, the repetition will help you on the day of the competition.
Children should be suited to the speech. Males should play male characters and females should play female characters.
For Dramatic Interpretation, an introduction may be a part of the speech but this is not necessary. Please see the handbook for specifics regarding the introduction. Original Oratory should not include an introduction besides the content of the speech.
Children should be prepared to make eye contact with the audience and judges. Failing to do so could result in a lower score.
It is important to emphasize that children are working to become better communicators and speakers. While a competitive setting fosters an environment where children put forth great effort and are recognized for doing so, winning is a result of hard work not the entire point of the competition.
Solo participants may use one chair and may not stand on it. Duet participants may use two chairs and may not stand on it. The chair may not be used as a prop.
All gestures, movements, and actions should be suited to the speech. However, there is a range of interpretations. Two students may have the same speech and choose very different gestures, movements, and tones.
Students should practice so that they feel able to move confidently and smoothly. Stiff movements, excessive pacing, and fidgeting will distract from the speech.
A participant should hear an opinion from someone about their speech prior to the competition. This will prepare them for the judges’ feedback.
Memorizing a speech and having the courage to perform it is no easy feat. All students should be very proud of their efforts regardless of the outcome.
In Original Oratory , avoid repeating yourself and aim to have a clear beginning, middle, and end to your speech. Anecdotes are encouraged.
Please note that some speeches, including duets are listed as being 10 minutes in length. These speeches are often shorter than that when acted out. For example, a number of 8-10 minute speeches have been performed within a 6 minute timeframe. You may edit the speech for time, if needed.
In Dramatic Interpretation, there are some cases in which you may need to edit a speech for time. This is acceptable so long as the author’s purpose remains unchanged.
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I am not sure if my speech should be serious or humorous. What should I do?
If your speech has a potential serious or humorous interpretation, it is up to you. Generally, a serious speech may have a humorous moment or two but the underlying message has a serious tone. Whereas for humorous, most of the speech will be perceived as funny. Points will not be taken off if a serious speech has an occasional comedic moment or a humorous speech has a serious sentence or two.
I practiced my speech and it was under seven minutes, but the next time I practiced the speech it was over seven minutes. What should I do?
The pacing of the speech is up to the speaker. Strategic pauses may also be helpful for clarity. It’s important to practice consistently so you have a time that you can expect to hit. If you are in the OO category, you may edit your speech so it’s short enough that going over or under time is not a concern. If you have a speech in DI, then you may also edit a few lines to keep the speech within time limits.
Why do you have time limits?
Each competition will be under a time constraint to finish. While the length is arbitrary, we believe that a speech between 2 ½ and 7 minutes will give speakers enough time to get their point across in OO as well as find various speeches to perform for DI.
I can’t find a speech that I like. What should I do?
If you can’t find a speech that you want to perform in DI, you may consider participating in the OO category.
May I use props?
Please see the handbook for information.
May I wear a costume?
Please see the handbook for information.
Can my sibling perform the same speech as me?
Yes.
I want to do a duet but cannot find a partner. What should I do?
We do not offer pairing for duets, but please consider asking friends and family. Please note that that duet partners may be in a different grade but not division. For example, a 5th grader cannot perform with a 9th grader but may perform with an 8th grader.
How much does it cost to participate in a speech league competition?
We want the league to be as accessible as possible for families. The cost is $5 per participant, paid via cash or Venmo on the day of the competition. This covers the awards for the meet as well as any associated costs with the location.
If you need to purchase a speech, the costs typically range from $5-10. Your family may use this speech more than once, however. Further, we consider the speech meets an intellectually rich and fun experience that your child will remember for years to come.
Can I perform a duet with a sibling?
Yes, so as long as you are in the same division. Grades 4-8th are the grade school division while grades 9-12th are the high school division.