Original Oratory
An original oratory is a prepared speech, written by the competitor, on a topic of the competitor’s choice. The purpose of this informative speech is to explain, describe, or expose the topic. (Stoa website).
Maximum speech length is 10 minutes with no minimum.
Original Oratory is a traditional style of speech.
This is a good speech for beginning speakers!
Examples of Stoa Original Oratory Speeches are given at the bottom of this page.
Click below to see the official Stoa rules and ballot for 2022-2023:
Original Oratory Rules for 2023-2024
Original Oratory Ballot for 2023-2024
Original Oratory Script Submission Form 2023-2024
Helpful Tips about How to Structure Your Original Oratory Speech by Steve Barth:
The above video contains general information on how to structure a speech. The gentleman giving the speech is a coach for a different league but gives very good information. Below are a few things to add:
The conclusion can also contain a recap of the road map and at the very end ties back into the introduction.
The examples of the written speeches used is an event that Stoa does not offer but is 100% applicable.
Below is another video about Original Oratory speeches.
The above video is about the Original Oratory event in another league. Below are some of the corrections to the video in light of the Stoa rules:
The grace period is only 15 seconds; not 30 seconds. Really you should be through speaking at 10 minutes. 15 seconds is the grace period for the judge to turn off the timer.
If you do use notes (common at the Oct/Nov tournaments), you can still compete, but you will have a two rank penalty.
The Original Oratory in Stoa can be informative and does not have to be persuasive.
While you do not have to have sources, they do add credibility to your speech. Examples, personal or otherwise, can also be used.
How to Cite Your Sources
Here is the Stoa Guidelines on How to Cite Your Sources. Also here is a video about how to verbally cite sources in your speech.
In Summary:
Original Oratory Presentation Rule #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 strictly forbidden. Citations are necessary to show the source of your material. Use citations when you directly quote, paraphrase or summarize information from any source.
How to Cite: If you directly quote, paraphrase or summarize information from any source you must:
1. Cite your source verbally for your audience. Here is a video that gives creative ideas on how to cite your sources verbally!
2. Cite your source in-text (parenthetically) to easily connect it to your Citation Page.
Speech Helps
Lasting Impact! Membership is $35 a year and gives you access to over 300 articles about speech, more videos about how to do different events, ask a coach feature where you can ask specific questions, and a discount on online classes like Extemp Round Table, which happens on Fridays beginning November 18th.
How to Pick a Speech Topic (3:32)
Five Core Components for an Effective Speech (7:11)
Top 5 Tips for Speeches (2:28)
How to Make a Compelling Argument (4:01)
Examples of Original Oratory Speeches: