Attack on Titan
2026 — Salt Lake City, UT/US
A Original Oratory
Event Description:
Original Oratory is a speech written by the student with the intent to inform or persuade the audience on a topic of significance. Oratory gives students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic. It is up to 10 minutes in length, with a 30 second grace.
An Oratory 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.
● Speakers will perform a prepared, memorized speech with the goal of informing you and/or persuading you on a topic or stance. Often it includes emotional appeals, logic, and humor. These are speeches of a motivation/inspirational nature. Speakers will be speaking on important and sometimes personal topics, and they include some kind of “Call to Action,” where they speak on what should be done and what we as a society should do about it. This should not be a trauma dump: While speakers may pick very personal topics and speak on traumatic experiences, this should not just be a constant spill of trauma. The experiences or personal stories that are included should support the main idea and the call to action. It should push the speech forward, not be a “look at my terrible life” approach.
○ That being said, be kind to speakers, as they do share personal stories and events.
● Props are not permitted
● Time: 7-10 minutes
Skill Score Explanation
Relevance (1 2 3 4 5) Is the topic timely? Is the thesis clearly established? Does the delivery assist in establishing the importance of the topic?
Relatability (1 2 3 4 5) Can the audience relate to the topic? Is the delivery personable? Does the speaker establish how others are impacted by the topic? Does the speaker do a good job informing?
Originality (1 2 3 4 5) Does the speaker address the topic in a unique, inventive way? Are the supporting examples new and interesting?
Delivery (1 2 3 4 5) Does the student use voice, movement, and expression effectively? Is the speaker confident? Is there consistent eye contact? Is the volume appropriate?
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