2024 David Helton Fall Forensics Forum

JR/JV Original Oratory Speech (includes Persuasive & Informative speeches)

Description: An Original Oratory is a prepared speech, written by the speaker, on a topic of the speaker’s choice.

Goal: To develop a polished, winsome speaker who can present an engaging, well-organized speech on any topic.

JR/JV Original Oratory Preparation Rules:
1. The speaker may prepare a speech on any topic.
2. The purpose of the speech may be to inform, persuade, entertain, inspire, eulogize, or fulfill any other function.
3. The speech must be an original work, written by the competitor, and scripted verbatim.
4. An Original Oratory may be used in multiple leagues during any given competitive season.
5. The speech may be entered in only one category per tournament (i.e., either ‘Original Oratory’ or ‘Persuasive’ but not both). The student may place the speech in a different category in subsequent tournaments. 

6. A maximum of approximately 30% of the speech may consist of quoted material.

JR/JV Original Oratory Presentation Rules:
1. All direct quotations and primary sources must be cited verbally within the body of the speech. Use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting them is plagiarism and is strictly forbidden.
2. The script must be memorized. No written scripts or notes may be referred to in competition rounds. The competitor may receive a lower ranking for use of a written script.
3. No props, audio or visual aids may be used.
4. We do not expect this to to occur but post this rule as a standard. Gratuitous vulgarity is strictly prohibited.

5. The timekeeper will start the timepiece when the speaker begins and will stop the timepiece when the speaker has concluded his speech.

Speaking Time Limit– five (5) minutes. No minimum time.

JR/JV Original Oratory Ballot